| Year: | 1996 |
| Teams: | 32 |
| Wcwsballpark: | Golden Park |
| City: | Columbus, Georgia |
| Champions: | Arizona |
| Titlecount: | 4th |
| Runner-Up: | Washington |
| Wcwscount: | 1st |
| Coach: | Mike Candrea |
| Coachcount: | 4th |
| Mop: | Jenny Dalton |
| Mopteam: | Arizona |
The 1996 NCAA Division I softball tournament was the fifteenth annual tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA women's collegiate softball. Held during May 1996, thirty-two Division I college softball teams contested the championship. The tournament featured eight regionals of four teams, each in a double elimination format. The 1996 Women's College World Series was held in Columbus, Georgia from May 23 through May 27 and marked the conclusion of the 1996 NCAA Division I softball season. This marked the last time that the Women's College World Series was held in a city other than Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and previewed Golden Park's hosting of softball events for the 1996 Summer Olympics.[1] Arizona won their fourth NCAA championship by defeating Washington 6–4 in the final game. Arizona second baseman Jenny Dalton was named Women's College World Series Most Outstanding Player.[2] [3]
See main article: 1996 NCAA Division I softball season.
Arizona qualifies for WCWS.
Michigan qualifies for WCWS.
Iowa qualifies for WCWS.
Southwestern Louisiana qualifies for WCWS.
California qualifies for WCWS.
Princeton qualifies for WCWS.
UCLA qualifies for WCWS.
Washington qualifies for WCWS.
| School | Top Batter | Stats. |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Wildcats | Jenny Dalton (2B) | 1-2 3RBIs HR 2BBs |
| Washington Huskies | Leah Francis (PH) | 1-1 RBI |
| School | Pitcher | IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | AB | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Wildcats | Carrie Dolan (W) | 7.0 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 34 | |
| Washington Huskies | Heather Meyer (L) | 1.2 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | |
| Washington Huskies | Eve Gaw | 5.1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 21 |
The following players were named to the All-Tournament Team[5]
| Pos | Name | School |
|---|---|---|
| P | Carrie Dolan | Arizona |
| Cheryl Longeway | Southwestern Louisiana | |
| C | Jennifer Cline | Washington |
| 1B | Traci Conrad | Michigan |
| 2B | Jenny Dalton | Arizona |
| Sara Pickering | Washington | |
| 3B | Lynn Britton | Southwestern Louisiana |
| SS | Tami Storseth | Washington |
| OF | Mindy Williams | Washington |
| Lea Twigg | Iowa | |
| Alison Johnsen | Arizona | |
| AL | Krista Gomez | Arizona |
| Michelle Churnock | Arizona | |
| Lyn Nance | Iowa |