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OKLAHOMA CITY — For the second year in a row, UCLA pitcher Keira Goerl took her team to the NCAA Championship.

Unlike the top pitchers on most teams in the Women’s College World Series, Goerl has been asked to pitch in every game for UCLA over the past two years.

Her 9-1 record in the Women’s College World Series in that span, with a string of nine straight victories, will cement her as one of the greatest players in UCLA history.

“Keira is the best we’ve ever had in this program,” coach Sue Enquist said.

She then turned to her ace and said, “Your legacy is going to remain alive forever.”

Once again, Goerl had an ERA below 1.00 in the World Series, and she only gave up four runs during the entire tournament.

She gave up some hits but was able to get the critical outs when needed throughout the weekend. Goerl specialized in shutting down rallies, getting stronger when people were on base.

“There’s just part of me that gets stronger if they already have batters on,” Goerl said.

By some standards, this was a down year for Goerl, as odd as it is to call winning a championship a down year.

Last year, Goerl was named Most Outstanding Player and a First Team All-American. This year she did not get Most Outstanding Player and was a Second Team All-American, but she got another ring, which is what matters most.

When Goerl played at home, she could always look down toward the right field fence to see her place in UCLA history, one which only got larger this season.

“Her photograph is already a banner in our field, and she’s lived up to that,” Enquist said. “She’s carried this team.”

Goerl is one of three pitchers to win back-to-back championship games, and the first since Susie Parra of Arizona did it in 1993 and 1994.

“When (Goerl) absolutely needed to make a pitch, she did,” Louisiana State coach Yvette Girouard said after Goerl shut out her team on Friday.

With the expansion of the sport and the improved quality of play across the nation, what Goerl has been able to do in her career is even more impressive.

“In my eyes she’s a champion and she’s the best,” Enquist said.

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