Looking Back at the NCAA Champions: 1991 Arizona Wildcats

Photo courtesy Arizona 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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1991 Arizona Wildcats

The Venue: ASA Hall of Fame Stadium, Oklahoma City, Okla.

The Head Coach: Mike Candrea

The Players (Women’s College World Series Roster): Susie Parra, Kristin Gauthier, Stephanie Salcido, Julie Standering, Susie Duarte, Julie Jones, Marcie Aguilar, Renne Rosas, Lisa Guise, Jody Miller, Teresa Castillo, Doreen Juarez, Suzie Lady, Stacy Redondo, Jamie Heggen, Debby Day

The Regular Season: Arizona finished the regular season with a 50-15 overall record and an 11-9 mark in the Pac-10. The Wildcats finished fourth in the Pac-10 standings behind UCLA, Arizona State and California, but gained a measure of revenge against both UCLA and Arizona State in the postseason. Julie Standering (1st Team), Julie Jones (2nd Team) and Debby Day (3rd Team) each earned All-American honors in 1991 to lead Arizona. Day, Jones and Susie Parra anchored the Wildcats pitching, while Jones (.350), Jamie Heggen (.330), Kristin Gauthier (.300) and Standering (.296) paced the offense. Arizona stole 119 bases during the season and also boasted a .970 fielding percentage on its way to the national championship.

The Regional/Super Regional: The first measure of revenge for Arizona came in the regional when it traveled to Tempe, Ariz., to face rival Arizona State. The Sun Devils won three of the four meetings in the regular season, but the Wildcats turned the tables in the NCAA Tournament. Arizona won the opener 4-2 and finished off Arizona State 4-0 to secure a berth in the Women’s College World Series.

The Field at the Women’s College World Series: Arizona, Florida State, Fresno State, Long Beach State, Missouri, UCLA, UNLV, Utah

The Wildcats at the Women’s College World Series: Arizona opened WCWS play against UNLV and two All-Americans took to the circle in Debby Day and Lori Harrigan. Day was brilliant as she went all 13 innings and scattered seven hits and struck out four batters to keep the Rebels off the scoreboard. A two-out single in the top of the 13th inning from Jody Miller plated the winning run for the Wildcats. Next up for Arizona was UCLA and Susie Parra and Day kept the Bruins off the scoreboard as the Wildcats recorded a 1-0 win in nine innings against the top-ranked Bruins. The Wildcats walked it off against UCLA in the ninth inning when Lisa Guise reached on a fielder’s choice which allowed Julie Jones to score. Another walk-off victory kept Arizona undefeated in tournament play as the Wildcats edged Long Beach State 1-0 in eight innings. With runners on second and third, Jones reached on a fielder’s choice and Stacy Redondo scored the winning run. Terry Carpenter held Arizona to three hits leading Fresno State to a 1-0 victory handing the Wildcats their first loss of the tournament. Arizona still advanced to the championship game as UCLA and Fresno State met to decide the opponent for the Wildcats.

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