Looking Back at the NCAA Champions: 1982 UCLA Bruins

Photo courtesy of UCLA Athletics

Fall ball is wrapping up around the country in Division I, which allows us to set our sights on the 2024 season that lies ahead.

Early focus will be centered on the University of Oklahoma as they begin the quest to become the first team in Division I history to win four consecutive national championships.

The Sooners tied UCLA (1988, 1989, 1990) as the only teams to ever win three consecutive titles when they defeated Florida State to claim the 2023 title.

Extra Inning Softball will be reviewing the 41 national champions that have previously hoisted the trophy.

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1982 UCLA Bruins

The Venue: Seymour Smith Park, Omaha, Neb.

The Head Coach: Sharron Backus

The Players (Women’s College World Series Roster): Dot Richardson, Gina Vecchione, Tracy Compton, Michele Aguilar, Karen Andrews, Sue Eskierski, Barbara Young, Karen Owens, Lori Warkentin, Leslie Rover, Stacy Winsberg, Debbie Hauer, Sheila Cornell, Debbie Doom, Barbara Booth

The Regular Season: UCLA finished the regular season with a 26-7-2 overall record and a 15-4-1 record in the Western Collegiate Athletic Association. The Bruins finished second to Cal State Fullerton in the WCAA standings, but earned a trip to the inaugural NCAA Tournament.

The Regional/Super Regional: The Bruins hosted Wyoming in the Central Regional and posted 4-0 and 5-0 victories to advance to the Women’s College World Series.

The Field at the Women’s College World Series: Arizona State, Cal State Fullerton, Creighton, Fresno State, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, UCLA, Western Michigan

The Bruins at the Women’s College World Series: UCLA opened WCWS play against Oklahoma State and needed 13 innings to record a 2-1 victory. The run scored by the Cowgirls was the only one permitted by the UCLA staff during the WCWS. The Bruins then reeled off three consecutive 1-0 victories to advance to the title game. UCLA defeated Western Michigan 1-0, Arizona State 1-0 and Cal State Fullerton 1-0 to secure its spot in the national championship game.

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