2026 Division I Softball Official Bracket
The official 2026 College Softball Bracket for Division I. Includes a printable bracket and links to buy NCAA championship tickets.
www.ncaa.comHere’s the latest available information on the 1997 NCAA Division I softball tournament.
Core answer
- The 1997 NCAA Division I softball tournament concluded with Arizona winning the championship, defeating UCLA 10-2 in the championship game. Nancy Evans of Arizona was named the Women’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player. This event was held in Oklahoma City at the ASA Hall of Fame Stadium from May 22–26, 1997. Arizona’s title marked their fifth NCAA championship in softball.[1][3]
Background and details
- Venue and format: After a one-year hiatus, the WCWS returned to Oklahoma City, where it has been held since, continuing the format of a double-elimination/IF structure culminating in a championship game.[3][1]
- Final results: The championship game on May 26, 1997 saw Arizona defeat UCLA by a 10–2 score to clinch the title. This victory solidified Arizona as the 1997 WCWS champion, with Nancy Evans earning Most Outstanding Player honors for her performance in the series.[1]
- Overall WCWS field: The 1997 WCWS field included Arizona, UCLA, Washington, Fresno State, Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina, and UMass, among others, with the bracket culminating in the championship game between Arizona and UCLA. The event featured multiple rounds of play across May 22–26, 1997.[3][1]
Context and sources
- Summary and game results: The record of the 1997 tournament including game-by-game results and the final championship outcome are documented, with Arizona’s 1997 title noted along with the MOP award to Nancy Evans.[1]
- Official records: Additional corroboration on historical records and the 1997 WCWS outcomes can be found in NCAA archives and historical softball resources, which confirm Arizona as the champion and Nancy Evans as MOP.[2][3]
If you’d like, I can pull up a concise timeline of key games and final bracket for 1997, or compare Arizona’s 1997 run to other early WCWS championships. I can also provide a short one-page summary you can share or save.
Citations
- Arizona won the 1997 WCWS and Nancy Evans was the MOP.[1]
- The WCWS returned to Oklahoma City in 1997 and Arizona defeated UCLA 10–2 in the final.[3][1]