Photo courtesy UCLA Athletics
Fall practice has wrapped 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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1989 UCLA Bruins
The Venue: Twin Creeks Sports Complex, Sunnyvale, Calif.
The Head Coach: Sharron Backus, Sue Enquist
The Players (Women’s College World Series Roster): Lorraine Maynez, Kelly Inouye, Bea Chiaravanont, Samantha Ford, Julie Poulos, Shanna Flynn, Yvonne Gutierrez, Lisa Longaker, Michelle Montgomery, Erica Ziencina, Kerry Dienelt, Janice Parks, Missy Phillips, Karen Walker, Tiffany Boyd, Monica Tourville
The Regular Season: UCLA finished the regular season with a 41-4 overall record and a league-best 18-2 mark in the Pac-10. The Bruins four losses in the regular season all came at the hands of teams (Arizona, Oregon, Fresno State) that advanced to the Women’s College World Series. UCLA boasted the top pitching staff in the nation as Tiffany Boyd, Samantha Ford and Lisa Longaker each posted an earned run average under 1.00. Janice Parks and Shanna Flynn each earned All-America honors in leading the Bruins offense.
The Regional/Super Regional: UCLA hosted the NCAA Regional against Long Beach State. The Bruins swept the 49’ers during the regular season and that trend continued in the postseason. UCLA claimed game one 5-1 and then earned a spot in the Women’s College World Series with a 3-0 victory in the second game. With the sweep, UCLA secured its seventh Women’s College World Series berth in eight years.
The Field at the Women’s College World Series: Arizona, Cal Poly Pomona, Fresno State, Oklahoma State, Oregon, South Carolina, Toledo, UCLA
The Bruins at the Women’s College World Series: UCLA opened WCWS play against South Carolina and Tiffany Boyd and Kerry Dienelt lifted the Bruins to a 3-0 victory. Boyd tossed a no-hitter and struck out 15 batters and Dienelt hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bruin offense and pitcher Samantha Ford carried UCLA to a 9-0 victory over Cal Poly Pomona in game two of the tournament. Lorraine Maynez had four hits, Yvonne Gutierrez drove in three runs and Ford pitched a three-hit shutout in the victory. In game three against Oklahoma State, UCLA trailed 1-0 entering the top of the seventh inning and were facing All-American Michele Smith. Kelly Inouye came through with a two-run double that scored Julie Poulos and Karen Walker with the winning runs. Facing Pac-10 rival Arizona in game four, Lisa Longaker tossed a two-hit shutout leading the Bruins to a 3-0 victory. Shanna Flynn and Janice Parks delivered RBIs for UCLA on offense. With the win, UCLA earned a spot in the national championship game against Fresno State.
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