Texas Woman's University Athletics

The 1979 softball team captured the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) National Championship after posting a 7-1 record in the World Series.  The Pioneers were led by the TWU Hall of Fame pitcher Kathy Arendsen, who posted a 6-1 record with a 0.00 ERA, 77 strikeouts, five complete games, and five shutouts. 

TWU defeated the University of South Carolina, 4-2, in the first round and then captured an 18-inning thriller against Arizona State, 1-0.  The Pioneers lost to Cal Poly Pomona, 1-0, in the third round before advancing to the championship game through the loser’s bracket.  TWU eliminated Indian University (2-1, 11 innings), University of Northern Colorado (1-0), and Cal Poly Pomona (2-0) on its way to the finals against UCLA.  The Pioneers defeated the Bruins twice with a score of 1-0 to hoist the trophy.