UCLA at Mercy of Arizona in 10-2 Loss in Title Game

OKLAHOMA CITY — The NCAA Softball World Series championship game Monday was short and not so sweet for UCLA.

The Bruins were soundly beaten by Arizona, 10-2, in a game that was called after five innings because of the NCAA’s eight-run mercy rule.

It was the third time Arizona, the defending national champion, has defeated UCLA, the 1995 champion, in the title game.

UCLA, playing in its ninth championship game in 11 years, ended its season 49-14. Arizona (61-5) won its fifth national title.

“That’s Arizona softball,” Wildcat Coach Mike Candrea said. “Get people on, get a key hit and you can blow people out. Some days the game can look so easy, and some days it’s tougher than hell.”

Junior pitcher Nancy Evans, who missed last season because of a broken right foot, threw a five-hitter and also got the offense going with a two-run double in the top of the first inning.

Evans (36-2) set a school record for victories and went 4-1 in the double-elimination tournament.

Four players--Alison Johnsen, Katie Swan, Leah O’Brien and Brandi Shriver--had two hits each for the Wildcats, who scored four runs in both the second and fifth innings. Evans’ double was their only extra base hit.

UCLA, which took its second-worst loss of the season, scored in the second inning on back-to-back homers by Julie Adams and Julie Marshall.