Arizona Tops Washington in Title Game, 6-4

COLUMBUS, Ga. —  Jenny Dalton hit a three-run homer in the first inning Monday to lead Arizona to its fourth national championship with a 6-4 victory over Washington in the NCAA World Series softball tournament.

Pitcher Carrie Dolan (35-6) picked up the victory for the Wildcats (58-9), giving up 11 hits and striking out four.

Heather Meyer (25-4) took the loss for Washington.

After Dalton’s first-inning homer, which scored Alison Johnsen and Andrea Doty, Arizona built its lead to five runs in the second when Johnsen drove in Doty and Brandy Shriver with a double to right-center.

The final Wildcat run came in the top of the fourth inning. Lety Pineda drove in Johnsen with a single to left.

Washington (59-9) scored its runs in the bottom of the fourth. Michelle Church singled in Jenny Cline; Mindy Williams singled in Becky Newbry; Jeanine Giordano scored on an error, and pinch hitter Leah Francis singled in Williams for the final run.

Dalton set a World Series record by scoring seven runs in the series, and Johnsen tied the World Series record for stolen bases with four.

Washington had 47 hits in four games, breaking a record held by UCLA with 43 hits in five games in 1992.