Looking Back at the NCAA Champions: 1992 UCLA Bruins

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.

*****

1992 UCLA Bruins

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

The Head Coach: Sharon Backus, Sue Enquist

The Players (Women’s College World Series Roster): Kelly Inouye, Felicia Cruz, Kristy Howard, DeDe Weiman, Joanne Alchin, Yvonne Gutierrez, Cindy Valero, Heather Compton, Janae Deffenbaugh, Jennifer Brewster, Lisa Fernandez, Nichole Victoria, Kathy Evans, Jennifer Brundage

The Regular Season: UCLA compiled one of the finest seasons in collegiate history as the Bruins entered the postseason with a 49-2 overall record. UCLA was 14-2 in the Pac-10 Conference, which earned the Bruins a second-place finish as both UCLA losses on the season came at the hands of the defending national champion Arizona. UCLA began the season on a 33-game winning streak, and after suffering a loss to Arizona, reeled off another 14-game winning streak. Lisa Fernandez was, well Lisa Fernandez, in leading UCLA. She was 29-0 with a 0.14 earned run average and also batted .401 with 29 RBIs. Fernandez, Yvonne Gutierrez, Joanne Alchin and Kathi Evans each were named All-American.

The Regional/Super Regional: UCLA opened the postseason by hosting Utah in the NCAA Regional at Sunset Field. The Bruins won the opener 1-0 behind Lisa Fernandez and then finished off the Utes with a 7-2 victory in 10 innings in game two. With the two wins, UCLA advanced to the Women’s College World Series  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, California, Florida State, Fresno State, Kansas, Long Beach State, Massachusetts, UCLA

The Bruins at the Women’s College World Series: UCLA entered the field with a then NCAA record for the highest winning percentage entering the WCWS at .961 and wasted little time in showing why. The Bruins opened WCWS play against Massachusetts and posted a 4-0 win behind the pitching of Lisa Fernandez. She permitted one hit and struck out 10 batters in tossing a shutout. She also drove in a run during the Bruins decisive three-run rally in the sixth inning. The UCLA bats took over in game two as the Bruins defeated California 10-0. Jennifer Brundage went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored, Kelly Inouye was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and Fernandez went 3-for-3 with an RBI. The Bruins remained undefeated in the WCWS with a 4-0 victory over Fresno State as Fernandez threw her third consecutive shutout and Yvonne Gutierrez hit a three-run home run to spark the offense. UCLA faced Massachusetts in a rematch of its opening game and the Bruins blew open a tight game by scoring nine times in the bottom of the fifth inning to claim an 11-1 victory. Gutierrez homered twice and drove in four runs and Kristy Howard went 2-for-2 with three RBIs. With the victory, UCLA secured its spot in the national championship game alongside defending champion Arizona.

Join Today to Get Unlimited Access to Extra Inning Softball

Join Now

Already a Extra Inning Member? Log In

SUBSCRIBE

COPYRIGHT © 2023 Extra Inning Softball TM

Check out our other EIS links: