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.[1]
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.
The double-elimination tournament included these teams:
| Team | Appearance | |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3rd | |
| Arizona State | 5th | |
| Cal State–Sacramento | 2nd | |
| Kansas | 5th | |
| Michigan State | 5th | |
| Nebraska–Omaha | 8th | |
| Northern Colorado | 9th | |
| Northern Iowa | 4th | |
| Oklahoma State | 1st | |
| Oregon State | 1st | |
| Southern Illinois | 3rd | |
| Southwest Missouri State | 7th | |
| Springfield College (MA) | 1st | |
| Texas–Arlington | 2nd | |
| West Chester State (PA) | 1st | |
| Western Illinois | 5th |
Source:[2]
| Place | School | WCWS Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Northern Iowa | 5-1 |
| 2nd | Arizona | 5-2 |
| 3rd | Michigan State | 4-2 |
| 4th | Arizona State | 3-2 |
| 5th | Northern Colorado | 4-2 |
| 6th | Nebraska–Omaha | 3-3 |
| 7th | Kansas | 2-2 |
| Southwest Missouri State | 2-2 | |
| 9th | Texas–Arlington | 1-2 |
| CSU–Sacramento | 1-2 | |
| Oklahoma State | 1-2 | |
| Oregon State | 1-2 | |
| 13th | Southern Illinois | 0-2 |
| West Chester State | 0-2 | |
| Springfield College | 0-2 | |
| Western Illinois | 0-2 | |