Category: NCAA

1977 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1977 held at Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 25-29.

Champion – Northern Iowa Panthers (30-2)
Runner Up – Arizona Wildcats

The 1977 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) was held in Omaha, Nebraska on May 25–29. Sixteen college softball teams met in the AIAW fastpitch softball tournament. This was the first WCWS in which regional tournaments were conducted for teams to qualify for the final tournament.

After appearing in three previous WCWS in 1973, 1975, and 1976, Northern Iowa won its first national championship by defeating Arizona, 7-0, in the “if necessary” game behind pitcher Pat Stockman.

Legendary Michigan head coach Carol Hutchins participated in the WCWS with Michigan State.

Paid attendance for the series was 5,251.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Gayle Barrons, Michigan State (9-20, .450)
  • HR Leader – 6 tied at 1 (Brenda Marshall, Texas-Arlington; Cindy Salisbury, West Chester; Lisa Nicholson, Southwest Missouri State; June Koleber, Kansas; Gloria Graves, Kansas; DJ Parker, Northern Iowa)

OTHERS

Venus Jennings, Northern Colorado (.428, 9-21, 4 RBI)
Carmen King, Michigan State (.421, 8-19)
Jan Nelson, Southwest Missouri State (.417, 5-12, 4 RBI)
Kathy Drickey, Nebraska-Omaha (.409, 9-22, 2 RBI)
Kristie Koenig, Cal-State Sacramento (.400, 4-10)
Barb Wahlstrom, Northern Iowa (.375, 6-16, 1 RBI)
Lisa Nelson, Southwest Missouri State (.357, 5-14, 2 RBI)
Anne Davenport, Arizona (.350, 7-20, 3 RBI)
Connie Wichman, Nebraska-Omaha (.349, 8-23, 2 RBI)
Ann Anderson, Michigan State (.333, 6-18, 3 RBI)
Pat Bromley, Nebraska-Omaha (.333, 5-15, 1 RBI)
Carol Hutchins, Michigan State (.316, 6-19, 1 RBI)
Kris McCartney, Northern Iowa (.313, 5-16, 1 RBI)
Laurie Zoodsma, Michigan State (.300, 6-20, 2 RBI)
Paula Woodworth, Kansas (.300, 3-10)
Pat Stockman, Northern Iowa (3-1, 0.00 ERA, 3 shutouts)
Lou Piel, Northern Colorado (3-1, 0.00 ERA)
Gloria Graves, Kansas (2-0, 0.00 ERA)
Melanie Kyler, Arizona State (3-2, 0.49 ERA)
Penny Clayton, Southwest Missouri State (1-1, 1.06 ERA)
Marlene McCauley, Nebraska-Omaha (3-1, 1.16 ERA)
Michelle Thomas, Northern Iowa (2-0, 1.28 ERA)
Laurel Hills, Michigan State (2-1, 1.91 ERA)
Nancy Lyons, Michigan State (2-1, 1.93 ERA)
Tonja Adreon, Arizona (1-1, 2.04 ERA)
Phyliss Schachterle, Northern Colorado (1-1, 2.04 ERA)

Most Hits (9) Gayle Barrons, Michigan State; Venus Jennings, Northern Colorado; Kathy Drickey, Nebraska-Omaha.
Most Doubles (2) Anne Davenport, Arizona
Most Triples (2) Shelly Van Drimmelen, Cal-State Sacramento
Most RBI (5) Pat Stockman, Northern Iowa
Most Stolen Bases (4) Venus Jennings, Northern Colorado

SCORES

  1. Nebraska-Omaha 6 Western Illinois 0
  2. Arizona 4 Texas-Arlington 3
  3. Southwest Missouri State 5 Springfield College 2
  4. Arizona State 2 Cal-State Sacramento 1 (9 innings)
  5. Northern Iowa 3 Southern Illinois 0
  6. Kansas 1 Oklahoma State 0
  7. Michigan State 6 West Chester State 2
  8. Northern Colorado 6 Oregon State 0
  9. Arizona 7 Nebraska-Omaha 4
  10. Arizona State 2 Southwest Missouri State 0
  11. Northern Iowa 4 Kansas 0
  12. Michigan State 5 Northern Colorado 4 (8 innings)
  13. Texas-Arlington 4 Western Illinois 1 (Western Illinois eliminated)
  14. Cal-State Sacramento 6 Springfield 0 (Springfield eliminated)
  15. Oklahoma State 3 Southern Illinois 2 (Southern Illinois eliminated)
  16. Oregon State 8 West Chester State 6 (West Chester State eliminated)
  17. Arizona 1 Arizona State 0
  18. Northern Iowa 7 Michigan State 3
  19. Northern Iowa 1 Arizona 0 (8 innings)
  20. Northern Colorado 6 Texas-Arlington 0 (Texas-Arlington eliminated)
  21. Kansas 5 Cal-State Sacramento 1 (Cal-State Sacramento eliminated)
  22. Southwest Missouri State 3 Oklahoma State 1 (Oklahoma State eliminated)
  23. Nebraska-Omaha 6 Oregon 0 (Oregon eliminated)
  24. Northern Colorado 2 Kansas 1 (Kansas eliminated)
  25. Nebraska-Omaha 2 Southwest Missouri State 1 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated, 10 innings)
  26. Arizona State 2 Northern Colorado (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  27. Michigan State 5 Nebraska-Omaha 1 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  28. Michigan State 3 Arizona State 2 (Arizona State eliminated)
  29. Arizona 2 Michigan State (Michigan State eliminated)
  30. Northern Colorado 3 Nebraska-Omaha 0 (5th place game)
  31. Arizona 1 Northern Iowa 0 (9 innings)
  32. Northern Iowa 7 Arizona 0 (Arizona eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Northern Iowa Panthers (5-1)
2. Arizona Wildcats (5-2)
3. Michigan State Spartans (4-2)
4. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2)
5. Northern Colorado Bears (4-2)
6. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (3-3)
7t. Kansas Jayhawks (2-2)
7t. Southwest Missouri State (2-2)
9t. Texas–Arlington (1-2)
9t. CSU–Sacramento (1-2)
9t. Oklahoma State Cowgirls (1-2)
9t. Oregon State Beavers (1-2)
13t. Southern Illinois (0-2)
13t. West Chester State (0-2)
13t. Springfield College (0-2)
13t. Western Illinois (0-2)

1976 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1976 held at Dill Softball Center and Al Caniglia Field in Omaha, Nebraska on May 13-16.

Champion – Michigan State Spartans (24-4)
Runner Up – Northern Colorado (19-5)

The eighth Women’s College World Series (WCWS) was held in Omaha, Nebraska on May 13–16, with nineteen college softball teams meeting in the 1976 ASA/AIAW fastpitch softball tournament. Most of the teams had won state championships. This was the last WCWS before the adoption of regional qualifying tournaments. Because college softball had not yet been separated into competitive divisions, large and small colleges competed together in one overall national championship.

Michigan State, the third-place team a year ago, won the Women’s College World Series Sunday with a 3-0 victory over the University of Northern Colorado at Al Caniglia Field.

The final day’s games were moved from Dill Field to the Astro turfed stadium at the University of Nebraska at Omaha because of rain and wet grounds.

Gloria Becksford, who pitched and won all five Michigan State tournament games. allowed Northern Colorado. 5-2 for the tournament, only three hits, all singles, in the championship game.

The three Michigan State runs were all unearned and all scored in the top of the sixth inning. Right fielder Susan Law-son opened the inning with a single and scored one out later when shortstop Carol Hutchins reached on an error.

Centerfielder Nancy Green filed out, but first-baseman Gayle Barrons and left fielder Laury Ward followed with consecutive run-scoring singles.

Earlier in the afternoon, Michigan State and Northern Colorado each defeated the defending champion University of Nebraska at Omaha.

UNO finished third and Arizona State fourth. Both had 3-2 records. Michigan State shut out UNO, 1-0, with Miss Becksford pitching a four-hitter. Then Northern Colorado defeated UNO, 3-2. avenging an earlier 3-2 loss to the Maverettes Phyllis Schachterle, who relieved in the second inning, earned the victory.

Marlene McCauley pitched both games for UNO, dripping her tournament record to 2-2. In Sunday’s first game, Arizona State defeated Tarkio College, 5-4, in a completion of a game suspended in the second inning Saturday afternoon because of rain.

Northern Colorado then eliminated Arizona State with a 13-3 victory. Venus Jennings broke that game open with a grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, the only extra-base hit all day.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Diane Spoelstra, Michigan State (7-15, .467)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Gloria Becksford, Michigan State (5-0, 3 straight shutouts)

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Minnesota 5 Oregon 1
  2. Cal State-Sacramento 5 Utah 1
  3. East Stroudsburg 10 South Carolina 0
  4. Northern Iowa 3 Northern State 1
  5. Nebraska-Omaha 10 Mayville State 0
  6. Tarkio 3 Indiana State 0
  7. Illinois State 7 Northwestern Oklahoma State 0
  8. Northern Colorado 1 Texas-Arlington 0
  9. Michigan State 2 Minnesota 1
  10. Kansas defeated Cal-State Sacramento
  11. Arizona State 14 East Stroudsburg 4
  12. Utah 5 Northern State 1 (Northern State eliminated)
  13. Oregon 11 Mayville State 0 (Mayville State eliminated)
  14. South Carolina 5 Northwestern Oklahoma State 1 (Northwestern Oklahoma State eliminated)
  15. Cal State-Sacramento 6 Minnesota 1 (Minnesota eliminated)
  16. East Stroudsburg 4 Utah 1 (Utah eliminated)
  17. Indiana State 14 Oregon 6 (Oregon eliminated)
  18. Texas-Arlington 3 South Carolina 0 (South Carolina eliminated)
  19. Michigan State 6 Kansas 5
  20. Arizona State 2 Northern Iowa 0
  21. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Tarkio 1
  22. Northern Colorado 5 Illinois State 1
  23. Tarkio 3 East Stroudsburg 0 (East Stroudsburg eliminated)
  24. Illinois State 6 Cal State-Sacramento 3 (Cal-State Sacramento eliminated)
  25. Northern Iowa 10 Indiana State 2 (Indiana State eliminated)
  26. Texas-Arlington 2 Kansas 0 (Kansas eliminated)
  27. Michigan State 2 Arizona State 0
  28. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Northern Colorado 2
  29. Tarkio 5 Illinois State (Illinois State eliminated)
  30. Northern Iowa 6 Texas-Arlington 0 (Texas-Arlington eliminated)
  31. Arizona State 5 Tarkio 4 (Tarkio eliminated)
  32. Northern Colorado 1 Northern Iowa 0 (Northern Iowa eliminated)
  33. Michigan State 1 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  34. Northern Colorado 13 Arizona State 3 (Arizona State eliminated)
  35. Northern Colorado 3 Nebraska-Omaha 2 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  36. Michigan State 3 Northern Colorado 0 (Northern Colorado eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Michigan State Spartans (5-0)
2. Northern Colorado Bears (5-2)
3. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (3-2)
4t. Arizona State Sun Devils (3-2)
5t. Tarkio College Owls (3-2)
5t. Northern Iowa Panthers (3-2)
7t. Illinois State Redbirds (2-2)
7t. Texas–Arlington Mavericks (2-2)
9t. East Stroudsburg State Warriors (2-2)
9t. Cal State–Sacramento Hornets (2-2)
9t. Kansas Jayhawks (1-2)
9t. Indiana State Sycamores (1-2)
13t. Utah Runnin’ Utes (1-2)
13t. Oregon Ducks (1-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (1-2)
13t. Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-2)
17t. Northwestern Oklahoma State (0-2)
17t. Northern State Wolves (0-2)
17t. Mayville State Comets (0-2)

1975 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1975 held at Dill Softball Complex in Omaha, Nebraska on May 15-18.

Champion – Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (17-7)
Runner Up – Northern Iowa Panthers

Connie Claussen, the tournament director for the first eleven editions of the WCWS, was also the coach of the victorious Nebraska–Omaha team.

The University of Nebraska at Omaha won the seventh annual Women’s College Softball World Series Sunday by defeating the University of Northern Iowa 6-4 in a playoff game.

UNO defeated Northern Iowa 1-0 in a Saturday game but the Iowans, after ousting Michigan 7-3, defeated the Mavericks 11-1 Sunday to set up the playoff game in the double elimination tourney. Defending champion Southwest Missouri State failed to reach the tournament.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Chris Thoronock, Weber St. (9-10, .900)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Julie Wolfe, Nebraska-Omaha (3-1, 2 shutouts)
Pat Linson, Nebraska-Omaha (.333)
Kathy Dickey, Nebraska-Omaha (.455, 5-11)
Judy Melius, Nebraska-Omaha (.385, 5-13)
Mickey Gehringer (.348, 8-23)

SCORES

  1. Western Oregon 6 Texas Woman’s 2
  2. East Stroudsburg 8 Ohio 0
  3. Nebraska-Omaha 18 Northern State 0
  4. Northern Colorado 1 North Dakota State 0
  5. Western Illinois 1 Mankato State 0
  6. Kansas 6 Weber State 2
  7. Michigan State 3 Northwest Missouri State 1
  8. Northern Iowa 5 Oklahoma 0
  9. Western Oregon 14 Ball State 9
  10. Arizona 4 East Stroudsburg 3
  11. Texas Woman’s 9 Oklahoma 2 (Oklahoma eliminated)
  12. Ohio 10 Mankato State 2 (Mankato State eliminated)
  13. Weber State 7 East Stroudsburg 6 (East Stroudsburg eliminated)
  14. Ball State 6 Northern State 2 (Northern State eliminated)
  15. Northwest Missouri State 14 Texas Woman’s (Texas Woman’s eliminated)
  16. Ohio 6 North Dakota State 1 (North Dakota State eliminated)
  17. Nebraska-Omaha 1 Western Oregon 0
  18. Western Illinois 5 Northern Colorado 4
  19. Kansas 4 Arizona 3
  20. Northern Iowa 4 Michigan State 3
  21. Northern Colorado 6 Northwest Missouri State 0 (Northwest Missouri State eliminated)
  22. Western Oregon 8 Weber State 7 (Weber State eliminated)
  23. Michigan State 17 Ohio 0 (Ohio eliminated)
  24. Arizona 10 Ball State 4 (Ball State eliminated)
  25. Nebraska-Omaha 4 Western Illinois 2
  26. Northern Iowa 4 Kansas 1
  27. Northern Colorado 1 Western Oregon 0 (Western Oregon eliminated)
  28. Michigan State 3 Arizona 2 (Arizona eliminated)
  29. Northern Colorado 6 Kansas 0 (Kansas eliminated)
  30. Michigan State 5 Western Illinois 0 (Western Illinois eliminated)
  31. Nebraska-Omaha 1 Northern Iowa 0
  32. Michigan State 4 Northern Colorado 3 (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  33. Northern Iowa 7 Michigan State 3 (Michigan State eliminated)
  34. Northern Iowa 11 Nebraska-Omaha 1
  35. Nebraska-Omaha 6 Northern Iowa 4 (Northern Iowa eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Nebraska–Omaha Maverettes (5-1)
2. Northern Iowa Panthers (5-2)
3. Michigan State Spartans (5-2)
4. Northern Colorado Bears (4-2)
5t. Kansas Jayhawks (2-2)
5t. Western Illinois Leathernecks (2-2)
7t. Western Oregon Wolves (3-2)
7t. Arizona Wildcats (2-2)
9t. Weber State Wildcats (1-2)
9t. Northwest Missouri State Bearcats (1-2)
9t. Ball State Cardinals (1-2)
9t. Ohio Bobcats (2-2)
13t. Texas Woman’s Pioneers (1-2)
13t. North Dakota State Bison (0-2)
13t. East Stroudsburg State Warriors (1-2)
13t. Northern State Wolves (0-2)
17t. Oklahoma Sooners (0-2)
17t. Mankato State Mavericks (0-2)

1974 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1974 held at Dill Softball Center, UNO Football Stadium, and Churchich Field in Omaha, Nebraska on May 16-19.

Champion – Southwest Missouri State Bears (28-4)
Runner Up – Northern Colorado Bears (19-2)

Sharon Williams pitched Northern Colorado to two victories in the Women’s Softball College World Series Sunday but Southwest Missouri got to her for eight runs in the first inning to take the championship, 14-7.

The Greeley, Colo., team won a late Saturday night contest 1-0 over Indiana, then defeated Kansas 18-0 and Wayne State 9-8 in eight innings to meet undefeated Southwest Missouri State in the double elimination tourney.

Southwest Missouri State succeeds last year’s champion Arizona State which did not qualify for the sixth annual tournament this year.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Batting Leader – Gail Gault, Arizona (.444, 8-18)
  • HR Champion – N/A

OTHERS

Cindy Henderson, SW Missouri St. (5-0)

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Luther 4 North Dakota State 1
  2. Kansas 10 Winona State 0
  3. Luther 2 Nassau CC 0
  4. Southwest Missouri State 11 Massachusetts 1
  5. Eastern Illinois 10 South Carolina 0
  6. Indiana State 10 South Dakota State 0
  7. Wayne State 4 Michigan State 3
  8. Arizona 16 West Georgia 0
  9. Northern Colorado 7 Weber State 2
  10. Kansas 2 Golden West 1
  11. Michigan State 1 North Dakota State 0 (North Dakota State eliminated)
  12. South Dakota State 5 Winona State 1 (Winona State eliminated)
  13. Weber State 5 Golden West 0 (Golden West eliminated)
  14. Massachusetts 7 Nassau CC 0 (Nassau CC eliminated)
  15. Michigan State 6 West Georgia 2 (West Georgia eliminated)
  16. South Dakota State 2 South Carolina 1 (South Carolina eliminated)
  17. Southwest Missouri State 1 Luther 0
  18. Eastern Illinois 9 Indiana State 0
  19. Wayne State 2 Arizona 0
  20. Northern Colorado 1 Kansas 0
  21. Indiana State 4 Michigan State 2 (Michigan State eliminated)
  22. Luther 5 Weber State 2 (Weber State eliminated)
  23. Arizona 18 South Dakota State 0 (South Dakota State eliminated)
  24. Kansas 13 Massachusetts 3 (Massachusetts eliminated)
  25. Southwest Missouri State 9 Eastern Illinois 8
  26. Wayne State 23 Northern Colorado 7
  27. Indiana State 3 Luther 2 (Luther eliminated)
  28. Kansas 8 Arizona 1 (Arizona eliminated)
  29. Northern Colorado 1 Indiana State 0 (Indiana State eliminated)
  30. Kansas 2 Eastern Illinois (Eastern Illinois eliminated)
  31. Southwest Missouri State 8 Wayne State 5
  32. Northern Colorado 18 Kansas 0 (Kansas eliminated)
  33. Northern Colorado 9 Wayne State 8 (Wayne State eliminated)
  34. Southwest Missouri State 14 Northern Colorado 7 (Northern Colorado eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Southwest Missouri State Bears (5-0)
2. Northern Colorado Bears (5-2)
3. Wayne State Wildcats (3-2)
4. Kansas Jayhawks (5-2)
5t. Eastern Illinois Panthers (2-2)
5t. Indiana State Sycamores (3-2)
7t. Arizona Wildcats (2-2)
7t. Luther Norse (3-2)
9t. Michigan State Spartans (2-2)
9t. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (2-2)
9t. Massachusetts Minutemen (1-2)
9t. Weber State Wildcats (1-2)
13t. West Georgia Wolves (0-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. Golden West Rustlers (0-2)
13t. North Dakota State Bison (0-2)
17t. Winona State Warriors (0-2)
17t. Nassau Community College Lions (0-2)

1973 Women’s College World Series (AIAW)

1973 held at Dill Softball Center, in Omaha, Nebraska on May 17-20.

Champion – Arizona State Wildcats
Runner Up – Illinois State Redbirds

The 1973 Women’s College World Series was contested among 16 teams on May 17-20 in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the first series held under the auspices of the AIAW, which had recently been established by the Division of Girls’ and Women’s Sports (DGWS) for the purpose of conducting national championships.

Arizona State repeated as champions in the 5th Annual Women’s College World Series Tournament Sunday by defeating Illinois State 4-3 in 16 innings.

The winning run was scored with two out when centerfielder Judy Hoke hit a long single scoring Jean Killingsworth who had walked and advanced on an error.

Earlier Illinois State forced a playoff game by blanking Arizona State 4-0 after eliminating Southwest Missouri 5-0.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Kris Meyer, Northern Iowa (.417)
  • HR Champion – N/A

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Arizona State 4 Western Illinois 2
  2. Northern Colorado 8 North Dakota State 1
  3. Kansas 4 Nebraska-Omaha 3 (9 innings)
  4. Weber State 7 South Carolina 0
  5. Illinois State 2 Iowa State 1
  6. Wayne State 3 South Dakota State 1
  7. Michigan State 9 Northern Iowa 2
  8. Southwest Missouri 12 Ball State 0
  9. Northern Iowa 7 Ball State 3 (Ball State eliminated)
  10. South Dakota State 7 Iowa State 4 (Iowa State eliminated)
  11. Nebraska-Omaha 8 South Carolina 4 (South Carolina eliminated)
  12. Western Illinois 5 North Dakota State 0 (North Dakota State eliminated)
  13. Arizona State 9 Northern Colorado 1
  14. Kansas 5 Weber Sate 2
  15. Illinois State 10 Wayne State 0
  16. Southwest Missouri State 7 Michigan State 2
  17. Northern Iowa defeated Weber State (Weber State eliminated)
  18. Northern Colorado 5 South Dakota State 1 (South Dakota State eliminated)
  19. Nebraska-Omaha 7 Michigan State 6 (Michigan State eliminated)
  20. Western Illinois 14 Wayne State 4 (Wayne State eliminated)
  21. Arizona State 1 Kansas 0
  22. Illinois State 5 Southwest Missouri State 1
  23. Northern Colorado 5 Northern Iowa 0 (Northern Iowa eliminated)
  24. Western Illinois 3 Nebraska-Omaha 1 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  25. Northern Colorado 2 Kansas 1 (Kansas eliminated)
  26. Southwest Missouri State 3 Western Illinois 2 (Western Illinois eliminated)
  27. Arizona State 9 Illinois State 2
  28. Southwest Missouri State 5 Northern Colorado 1 (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  29. Illinois State 5 Southwest Missouri State 1 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated)
  30. Illinois State 4 Arizona State 0
  31. Arizona State 4 Illinois State 3 (Illinois State eliminated in 16 innings)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1)
2. Illinois State Redbirds (5-2)
3. Southwest Missouri State Bears (4-2)
4. Western Illinois Leathernecks (4-2)
5t. Northern Colorado Bears (3-2)
5t. Kansas Jayhawks (2-2)
7t. Northern Iowa Panthers (2-2)
7t. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (2-2)
9t. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (1-2)
9t. Weber State College Wildcats (1-2)
9t. Michigan State Spartans (1-2)
9t. Wayne State College Wildcats (1-2)
13t. Iowa State Cyclones (0-2)
13t. Ball State Cardinals (0-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. North Dakota State Bison (0-2)

1972 Women’s College World Series (DGWS)

1972 held at George W. Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 18-21.

Champion – Arizona State Wildcats
Runner Up – Tokyo-Nihon

The 1972 Women’s College World Series (WCWS) was contested among 16 college softball teams on May 18–21 in Omaha, Nebraska. This fourth WCWS was notable for the only appearance of a team from outside the United States, as the team from Tokyo–Nihon University of Japan proved to be a hit with both spectators and the other teams in the tournament.

Three-time defending champion John F. Kennedy College was excluded from the tournament by an organizational rule change the previous month. The new rule prohibited a team from appearing in the WCWS if it gave scholarships to any women athletes, not just softball players (JFK College openly awarded women’s basketball scholarships). JFK never returned to the WCWS, and the school closed just three years later.

In addition to the ouster of JFK, the tournament was limited to 16 teams an amount voted on by the coaches at the 1971 event. If the 16 team amount could not be filled by the state tournament winners, additional teams could be added by the DGWS director.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – Jean Holzkamp, South Dakota (.500, 7-14)
  • HR Champion – N/A
  • Outstanding Manager – Valerie Lindbloom, Western Illinois

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

N/A

SCORES

  1. Tokyo-Nihon 4 Central Missouri State 0
  2. Illinois State 8 Kansas State 0
  3. South Dakota State 3 Luther College 2
  4. Keene State 10 Purdue 3
  5. Southwest Missouri State 7 Nebraska-Omaha 2
  6. Northern Colorado 5 South Carolina 2
  7. Arizona State 11 Minot State 0
  8. Western Illinois 12 Wayne State 4
  9. Central Missouri State 8 Kansas State 4 (Kansas State eliminated)
  10. Luther 6 Purdue 1 (Purdue eliminated)
  11. Nebraska-Omaha 6 South Carolina 0 (South Carolina eliminated)
  12. Wayne State 10 Minot State 6 (Minot State eliminated)
  13. Tokyo-Nihon 3 Illinois State 2
  14. South Dakota State 5 Keene State 0
  15. Northern Colorado 4 Southwest Missouri State 2
  16. Arizona State 3 Western Illinois 0
  17. Central Missouri State 9 Southwest Missouri State 3 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated)
  18. Western Illinois 7 Luther 2 (Luther eliminated)
  19. Illinois State 4 Nebraska-Omaha 1 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  20. Wayne State 15 Keene State 0 (Keene State eliminated)
  21. Tokyo-Nihon 6 South Dakota State 0
  22. Arizona State 11 Northern Colorado 1
  23. Western Illinois 9 Central Missouri State 4 (Central Missouri State eliminated)
  24. Illinois State 10 Wayne State 0 (Wayne State eliminated)
  25. Western Illinois 8 South Dakota State 3 (South Dakota State eliminated)
  26. Illinois State 11 Northern Colorado 4 (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  27. Arizona State 2 Tokyo-Nihon 1
  28. Western Illinois 2 Illinois State 1 (Illinois State eliminated)
  29. Tokyo-Nihon 4 Western Illinois 0 (Western Illinois eliminated)
  30. Tokyo-Nihon 1 Arizona State 0
  31. Arizona State 8 Tokyo-Nihon 5 (Tokyo-Nihon eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-1)
2. Tokyo–Nihon (5-2)
3. Western Illinois Leathernecks (5-2)
4. Illinois State Cardinals (4-2)
5t. Northern Colorado Bears (2-2)
5t. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (2-2)
7t. Wayne State College Wildcats (2-2)
7t. Central Missouri State College Jennies (2-2)
9t. Keene State College Owls (1-2)
9t. Nebraska–Omaha Mavericks (1-2)
9t. Luther College Norse (1-2)
9t. Southwest Missouri State Bears (1-2)
13t. South Carolina Gamecocks (0-2)
13t. Minot State College Beavers (0-2)
13t. Kansas State Teachers College Wildcats (0-2)
13t. Purdue Boilermakers (0-2)

1971 Women’s College World Series (ASA/DWGS)

1971 held at George W. Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 14-16.

Champion – John F. Kennedy College Patriettes (92-27)
Runner Up – Iowa State Cyclones

The 1971 ASA/DGWS Women’s College World Series (WCWS), the third in its history, was held in Omaha, Nebraska. On May 14–16, softball teams from 28 colleges met in that year’s national fastpitch softball tournament, still the largest number of teams to play in a single-site WCWS. The tournament consisted of 55 games.

The Patriettes from John F. Kennedy College continue to dominate the Women’s College World Series softball, having won another ‘championship. The Patriettes fought an uphill the through the loser’s racket Sunday, winning five games, including a 4 to 0 triumph over Iowa State in a title game. It was JFK’s third straight championship. Gloria Gomez ended Iowa State’s title hopes, pitching five innings and allowing only one hit as JFK downed the Cyclones 6-0 forcing a second game to decide the title. Gomez then went the distance in the finale, allowing two striking out seven.

Standout player for JFK, Charlene Thompson finished the season with an average of .335, 18 HR, and 84 RBI.

  • MVP – N/A
  • Leading Hitter – N/A
  • HR Champion – N/A
  • Most Valuable Pitcher – Paula Miller, Arizona State (5-2, 3 shutouts, 2 no-hitters, 1 one-hitter, .320 avg)
  • Outstanding Manager – Pat Noe, Iowa State

ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Julie Wykle, Iowa State
Kathy Proescholdt, Iowa State
Val Haraldson, Iowa State
Georgia Gomez, John F. Kennedy
Terri Johnson, John F. Kennedy
Charlene Thompson, John F. Kennedy
Jan Trotter, Southwest Missouri State
Carole Myers, Southwest Missouri State
Judy Hoke, Arizona State
Ginger Kurtz, Arizona State
Donna Stone, Kansas
Jan Smith, Illinois State

OTHERS

Paula Miller, Arizona State (5-2, 3 shutouts; 8-25, .320)

SCORES

Bracket A

  1. South Dakota State 6 Central Missouri 5
  2. Arizona State 14 Luther 0
  3. Nebraska 12 Midland 2
  4. Iowa State 12 Southwest Baptist 2
  5. Northern Colorado 6 Wisconsin-Eau Claire
  6. Illinois State defeated Simpson
  7. Luther 9 Midland 2 (Midland eliminated)
  8. Wisconsin-Eau Claire 6 Southwest Baptist 4 (Southwest Baptist eliminated)
  9. John F. Kennedy 16 South Dakota State 0
  10. Arizona State 11 Nebraska 0
  11. Iowa State 3 Northern Colorado 2
  12. Illinois State 9 Minnesota-Duluth 4
  13. Luther College 11 Upper Iowa 1 (Upper Iowa eliminated)
  14. Central Missouri 5 Nebraska-Omaha 3 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  15. Eastern Illinois 3 Wisconsin-Eau Claire 2 (Wisconsin-Eau Claire eliminated)
  16. Wartburg defeated Simpson (Simpson eliminated)
  17. John F. Kennedy 7 Arizona State 6
  18. Iowa State 8 Illinois State 1
  19. Luther 9 Central Missouri 3 (Central Missouri eliminated)
  20. Eastern Illinois 5 Wartburg 2 (Wartburg eliminated)
  21. Illinois State 10 Luther 0 (Luther eliminated)
  22. Arizona State 10 Eastern Illinois 0 (Eastern Illinois eliminated)
  23. Iowa State 7 John F Kennedy 6
  24. Arizona State 4 Illinois State 0 (Illinois State eliminated)

Bracket B

  1. Wartburg 6 Minot State 2
  2. Parsons 11 Wayne State 1
  3. Eastern Illinois 6 Buena Vista 1
  4. Upper Iowa 5 South Dakota 3
  5. Southern Illinois 18 Kearney State 8
  6. Nebraska-Omaha 9 Concordia 1
  7. Wayne State 10 Buena Vista 5 (Buena Vista eliminated)
  8. Kearney State 12 South Dakota 2 (South Dakota eliminated)
  9. Southwest Missouri 6 Wartburg 0
  10. Parsons 7 Eastern Illinois 6
  11. Southern Illinois 8 Upper Iowa 5
  12. Kansas State 12 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  13. Northern Colorado 38 Wayne State 6 (Wayne State eliminated)
  14. Minot State 8 Minnesota-Duluth 2 (Minnesota-Duluth eliminated)
  15. Nebraska 11 Kearney State 10 (Kearney State eliminated)
  16. Concordia 9 South Dakota State 3 (South Dakota State eliminated)
  17. Southwest Missouri 14 Parsons 11
  18. Kansas State 18 Southern Illinois 8
  19. Northern Colorado 12 Minot State 0 (Minot State eliminated)
  20. Nebraska 9 Concordia 1 (Concordia eliminated)
  21. Southern Illinois 5 Northern Colorado 4 (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  22. Nebraska 6 Parsons 3 (Parsons eliminated)
  23. Southwest Missouri 3 Kansas State 0
  24. Nebraska 12 Southern Illinois 11 (Southern Illinois eliminated)

Championship Bracket

  1. Iowa State 12 Southwest Missouri 9
  2. John F. Kennedy 16 Nebraska 2 (Nebraska eliminated)
  3. Arizona State 1 Kansas State 0 (Kansas State eliminated)
  4. John F. Kennedy 5 Arizona State 3 (Arizona State eliminated)
  5. John F. Kennedy 3 Southwest Missouri 0 (Southwest Missouri eliminated)
  6. John F. Kennedy 6 Iowa State 0
  7. John F. Kennedy 4 Iowa State 0 (Iowa State eliminated)

FINAL STANDINGS

1. John F. Kennedy College Patriettes (7-1)
2. Iowa State Cyclones (5-2)
3. Southwest Missouri State Bears (3-2)
4. Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2)
5t. Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-2)
5t. Kansas State Wildcats (2-2)
7t. Southern Illinois Salukis (3-2)
7t. Illinois State Redbirds (3-2)
9t. Eastern Illinois Panthers (3-2)
9t. Northern Colorado Bears (3-2)
9t. Luther College Norse (3-2)
9t. Parsons College Wildcats (2-2)
13t. Wartburg College Knights (2-2)
13t. Central Missouri Jennies (1-2)
13t. Minot State Beavers (1-2)
13t. Concordia Bulldogs (1-2)
17t. Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds (1-2)
17t. Nebraska-Kearney Lopes (1-2)
17t. Upper Iowa Peacocks (1-2)
17t. Nebraska–Omaha Maverettes (1-2)
17t. South Dakota State Jackrabbits (1-2)
17t. Wayne State Wildcats (1-2)
17t. Minnesota–Duluth Bulldogs (0-2)
17t. Simpson College Storm (0-2)
25t. South Dakota Coyotes (0-2)
25t. Midland Lutheran Warriors (0-2)
25t. Southwest Baptist Bearcats (0-2)
25t. Buena Vista Beavers (0-2)

1970 Women’s College World Series (ASA/DWGS)

1970 held at George W. Dill Softball Center in Omaha, Nebraska on May 15-17.

Champion – John F. Kennedy College Patriettes (74-14)
Runner Up – Southwest Missouri State Bears

The second Women’s College World Series of softball was conducted in 1970. It was organized by the Omaha Softball Association and recognized by the Division for Girls’ and Women’s Sports (DGWS) as a championship tournament.

Southwest Missouri State College posted four victories in the womenis Collegiate Softball World Series Sunday here but couldn’t post No. 5, falling 7-6 in the title game to defending champion John F. Kennedy College of Wahoo, Neb.

SMS started its drive from the losers’ bracket with a 11-4 victory over Luther (Iowa), followed by verdicts over Illinois State University 3-2, University of Nebraska-Omaha 14 1 and John F. Kennedy 2-0.

Debbie Bellman, who blanked JFK on a four-hitter, took the setback in the championship game, yielding 10 hits.

JFK scored four in the third and three in the fourth. SMS closed the gap in the sixth when pinch-hitter Jackie Tekotte drove in a run with a double and later scored, but that was the last rally. Linda Dollar and Launa Goddard each smacked triples for SMS.

Donna Van Camp hurled the Missouri champions past Luther with a four-hitter. Left fielder Mary Shaffer crashed a homer and triple to pave the way.

Van Camp again twirled a four-hitter while stopping Illinois State. Goddard and Karen Bethurem slugged triples for SMS.

Jan Trotter was the victorious pitcher at SMS waltzed over University of Nebraska-Omaha. Dollar hit a homer and Goddard ripped a double and triple.

The Most Courageous Award was awarded to Marlene Donahue of Nebraska-Omaha who played with a fractured ankle.

  • MVP – Kay Camp, John F. Kennedy (4-0 pitching; 7-18, .471)
  • Batting Leader – Cindy Thompson, John F. Kennedy College (10-20, .500)
  • HR Leader – Mary Shaffer, Southwest Missouri State – 4
  • Outstanding Coach – Reba Sims, Southwest Missouri State

1970 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Cindy Thompson, John F. Kennedy College
Teri Johnston, John F. Kennedy College (.400, 8-20)
Kay Camp, John F. Kennedy College
Mary Shaffer, Southwest Missouri State
Sue Schuble, Southwest Missouri State
Kay Camp, Southwest Missouri State
Deanna Grindle, Nebraska-Omaha
Barb Filipowicz, Nebraska-Omaha
Jan Smith, Illinois State
Tudy Schmied, Illinois State
Cheri Kolander, Luther
Marcia LaRock, Minnesota-Duluth
Sally Studnicka, Kearney State

FINAL STANDINGS

1. John F. Kennedy College Patriettes (5-1)
2. Southwest Missouri State Bears (6-2)
3. Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (4-2)
4. Illinois State Redbirds (3-2)
5t. Western Illinois Leathernecks (3-2)
5t. Luther College (4-2)
7t. Kearney State Lopers (2-2)
7t. Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (2-2)
9t. Midland Lutheran College Warriors (1-2)
9t. Northern Colorado Bears (1-2)
9t. Southern Illinois Salukis (1-2)
9t. Midwestern College Mustangs (1-2)
13t. Minot State Beavers (0-2)
13t. Wayne State Wildcats (0-2)
13t. Concordia College Bulldogs (0-2)
13t. Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-2)
13t. Upper Iowa Peacocks (0-2)

SCORES

  1. Nebraska-Omaha 3 Luther 0
  2. John F. Kennedy 2 Upper Iowa 0
  3. Western Illinois 2 Wayne State 1
  4. Southwest Missouri State 4 Nebraska 1
  5. Southern Illinois 7 Minnesota-Duluth 6
  6. Nebraska-Omaha 9 Minot State 2
  7. Northern Colorado 7 Kearney State 1
  8. Illinois State 24 Concordia 5
  9. Midwestern 10 Midland 7
  10. Midland 9 Concordia 8 (Concordia eliminated)
  11. Kearney State 10 Minot State 3 (Minot State eliminated)
  12. Minnesota-Duluth 8 Nebraska 1 (Nebraska eliminated)
  13. Luther defeated Wayne State (Wayne State eliminated)
  14. Luther 16 Upper Iowa 1 (Upper Iowa eliminated)
  15. John F. Kennedy 10 Western Illinois 0
  16. Southwest Missouri State 8 Southern Illinois 3
  17. Nebraska-Omaha 10 Northern Colorado 2
  18. Illinois State 10 Midwestern 4
  19. Western Illinois 10 Midland 0 (Midland eliminated)
  20. Kearney State 7 Southern Illinois 6 (Southern Illinois eliminated)
  21. Minnesota-Duluth 1 Northern Colorado 0 (Northern Colorado eliminated)
  22. Luther 17 Midwestern 7 (Midwestern eliminated)
  23. John F. Kennedy 4 Southwest Missouri State 1
  24. Nebraska-Omaha 7 Illinois State 5
  25. Western Illinois 6 Kearney State 2 (Kearney State eliminated)
  26. Luther 10 Minnesota-Duluth 7 (Minnesota-Duluth eliminated)
  27. Illinois State 8 Western Illinois 0 (Western Illinois eliminated)
  28. Southwest Missouri State 11 Luther 1 (Luther eliminated)
  29. John F. Kennedy 8 Nebraska-Omaha 1
  30. Southwest Missouri State 3 Illinois State 2 (Illinois State eliminated)
  31. Southwest Missouri State 13 Nebraska-Omaha 1 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  32. Southwest Missouri State 2 John F. Kennedy 0
  33. John F. Kennedy 7 Southwest Missouri State 6 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated)

1969 Women’s College World Series (DWGS)

1969 held at Moeller Field in Fremont and Boyd Field in Omaha, Nebraska on May 16-18.

Champion – John F. Kennedy College Patriettes
Runner Up – Illinois State Redbirds

The first Women’s College World Series of softball was conducted in 1969. It was organized by the Omaha Softball Association and recognized by the Division for Girls’ and Women’s Sports (DGWS) as a championship tournament. Softball teams from nine colleges met on May 16–18 in Omaha and Fremont, Nebraska.

Far Eastern University from Manila, Philippines encountered a aircraft issues and forced their plane to reroute to Tokyo and would miss the tournament.

The first day of games was rained out, causing the 16 games to be played in two days. Connie Claussen, the chair of the physical education department at the University of Nebraska–Omaha, was a driving force in organizing and directing that first tournament, as well as the next ten while the series was held in Omaha.

The John F. Kennedy College Patriettes won the first college softball championship by winning all five of their games, defeating Illinois State in the final, 2–0. Patriettes pitcher Judy Lloyd was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. Curiously John F. Kennedy College no longer is in existence. They would win the first three WCWS.

  • MVP – Judy Lloyd, John F. Kennedy College (4-0, 1 hit shutout in the final)
  • Batting Leader – Kay Sharr, John F. Kennedy College (9-18, .500)
  • HR Leader – N/A
  • Outstanding Coach – Carmen Imel, Illinois State

1969 ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM

Marilyn Mosier, Illinois State
Tudy Schmied, Illinois State
Dot Melvin, Illinois State
Karen Roppa, Illinois State
Cathy Buell, John F. Kennedy
Kay Sharr, John F. Kennedy
Judy Lloyd, John F. Kennedy
Cindy Thompson, John F. Kennedy
Mary Shaffer, Southwest Missouri State
Dayna Aust, Southwest Missouri State
Gaylynn Ecton, Colorado State
Kay McDaniel, Colorado State
Betty McGee, St. Petersburg Junior College
Diane Davidson, St. Petersburg Junior College

FINAL STANDINGS

1. John F. Kennedy College Patriettes (5-0)
2. Illinois State Redbirds (4-2)
3. Southwest Missouri State Bears (2-2)
4. Colorado State Rams (2-2)
5t. St. Petersburg Junior College Lady Titans (1-2)
5t. Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (1-2)
7. Kearney State Lopers (1-2)
8t. Creighton Blue Jays (0-2)
8t. Nebraska-Omaha Maverettes (0-2)

SCORES

  1. John F. Kennedy 19 Black Hills State 0
  2. John F. Kennedy 3 Illinois State 2
  3. St. Petersburg JC 9 Kearney State 7
  4. Southwest Missouri State 11 Nebraska-Omaha 0
  5. Colorado State 12 Creighton 3
  6. Kearney State 8 Creighton 5 (Creighton eliminated)
  7. Illinois State 12 Kearney State 1 (Kearney State eliminated)
  8. Black Hills State 8 Nebraska-Omaha 4 (Nebraska-Omaha eliminated)
  9. John F. Kennedy 6 St. Petersburg JC 2
  10. Southwest Missouri State 14 Colorado State 2
  11. Illinois State 2 St. Petersburg JC 0 (St. Petersburg JC eliminated)
  12. Colorado State 10 Black Hills State 0 (Black Hills State eliminated)
  13. John F. Kennedy 9 Southwest Missouri State 0
  14. Illinois State 4 Colorado State 0 (Colorado State eliminated)
  15. Illinois State 5 Southwest Missouri State 0 (Southwest Missouri State eliminated)
  16. John F. Kennedy 2 Illinois State 0 (Illinois State eliminated)