Washington Huskies softball

The Washington Huskies softball team represents the University of Washington in NCAA Division I college softball competition. A member of the Pac-12 Conference, they play their home games on-campus at Husky Softball Stadium in Seattle, Washington. Through 2017, the Huskies have made twelve appearances at the Women's College World Series and won the national title in 2009.

Washington Huskies softball
Founded1993
UniversityUniversity of Washington
Athletic directorJennifer Cohen
Head coachHeather Tarr (15th season)
ConferencePac-12
LocationSeattle, Washington
Home stadiumHusky Softball Stadium (Capacity: 1,500)
NicknameHuskies
ColorsPurple and Gold[1]
         
NCAA Tournament champions
2009
NCAA WCWS runner-up
1996, 1999, 2018
NCAA WCWS appearances
1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019
NCAA Super Regional appearances
2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
NCAA Tournament appearances
1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
Conference championships
1996, 2000, 2010, 2019

History

The program's first season was in 1993,[2][3] and head coach Teresa Wilson quickly built the team into a national powerhouse, qualifying for the NCAA tournament in their second season,[4] and guiding it to the Women's College World Series six times, including the title games in 1996 and 1999. The team finished no worse than fifth in the nation from 1996 to 2000 and Wilson compiled a record of 532–198–1 (.728).[5] However, Wilson's tenure was cut short in late 2003, when the coach was implicated in a scandal involving dispensing drugs among her players.[6] She became the second high-profile coach Washington fired that year following Huskies football coach Rick Neuheisel's dismissal in an NCAA wagering scandal.[5]

One of Wilson's former players, University of the Pacific assistant coach Heather Tarr,[7] took over the team shortly thereafter. In Tarr's fifth year, Washington entered the 2009 Women's College World Series as the third seed. Despite having no home games due to lack of lights, the Huskies cruised to the national title game in 2009, sweeping the University of Florida Gators in two games. Canada women's national softball team member and 2009 U.S. college player of the year Danielle Lawrie pitched both games, winning 8–0 and 3–2.[8] This marked the 22nd time in 28 seasons of World Series play in which the Pac-12 had won.[9]

For the 2012 season, students from a UW sports writing class produced a website dedicated to the team called Husky Fever; the class was taught by sports columnist Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times.

Field

The Huskies opened the $2.2 million Husky Softball Stadium 26 years ago in 1994,[10] adjacent to Husky Stadium. East of the football stadium's north grandstand, it shares the view of Mount Rainier to the southeast. The seating capacity is 1,000 in the main grandstand, with up to an additional 500 in bleacher seating. During the 2010 season, standing-room only tickets were sold before games, behind the main sections and along the walkways to the outfield general admission seating.[11] The venue added lights in 2010 to be eligible to host NCAA tournament games (regionals and super regionals).

During their inaugural season of 1993, the Huskies' home field was across Lake Washington in Bellevue, at Hidden Valley Park (47.627°N 122.192°W / 47.627; -122.192).[2][3]

See also

References
  1. "Colors | UW Brand". Washington.edu. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  2. Smith, Craig (January 19, 1993). "Making a pitch: UW softball starting slow, but stay tuned". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  3. Wittenmyer, Gordon (April 15, 1993). "Nothing trivial in this pursuit -- Huskies' newest team, softball, makes immediate impact on field". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  4. Rockne, Dick (May 16, 1994). "UW takes fast track in softball -- NCAA bid is Huskies' reward for making all the right moves". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  5. Carter, Mike; Miletich, Steve (December 21, 2003). "UW ousts softball coach over scandal". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  6. Miletch, Steve (April 28, 2004). "Players tell of being 'high' and 'loopy' during games". Seattle Times. Retrieved September 22, 2004.
  7. "Heather Tarr". University of Washington Athletics. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  8. Hays, Graham (June 3, 2009). "Tarr brings Washington full circle". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  9. "Washington sweeps Florida for softball title". Star-Telegram.com. Jun 2, 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
  10. "Doubleheader will christen UW softball field Sunday - Northwest Colleges". Seattle Times. April 8, 1994. Retrieved September 22, 2014.
  11. "Husky Softball Stadium". gohuskies.com. Retrieved 2009-06-13.

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