Associated Press Arizona players Jennie Finch, left, and Jackie Coburn watch Monday, May 27, 2002, as California picks up their national championship trophy from the Womenās College World Series in Oklahoma City. California defeated defending champion Arizona 6-0, to claim its first NCAA team championship in any womenās sport.

UA loss to Cal ends the collegiate career of Jennie Finch

A team of destiny played its way to a title in Oklahoma City this season during the College Softball World Series again this year, however this time it was not Arizona.

The No. 2 Wildcatsā attempt for a second consecutive national championship fell short May 27 when a six-run seventh inning carried No. 4 California to a 6-0 victory, and the Golden Bearsā first NCAA championship.

After falling to Cal for the third time in four contests this season ö and the first time in five tries at the World Series ÷ UA head coach Mike Candrea simply tipped his hat to the victors.

ćWe played a team, I think, of destiny,ä Candrea said after the championship game loss. ć(Californiaās) Jocelyn (Forest) threw great, and today was Calās day so my hatās off to them.ä

UAās 15th consecutive trip to the College World Series saw a return to the national championship game after three straight pressure filled victories guided by the arm of three-time All-American Jennie Finch.

The senior ÷ who earned the Honda Softball Award for national player of the year for the second consecutive season and was named a member of the USA Womenās National Team yesterday ÷ threw every inning in the circle during the tournament for the Wildcats with the exception of recording the final out in the championship game.

Finch was flawless in a pair of 1-0 victories over Nebraska and Arizona State to begin Series play, and continued her dominance during a classic 6-2 win over Florida State to advance Arizona to the championship game.

In the 11-inning contest, the right-handed ace recorded 17 strikeouts against just five hits and one earned run.

Finch starred at the plate as well, breaking a 2-2 tie with her 16th home run of the season in what proved to be the contestās final inning. Freshman third baseman Jackie Coburn also added a three-run blast to help secure Arizonaās berth in the national championship game for the tenth time in 12 years.

Despite hurling an amazing 196 pitches against the Seminoles, Finch stepped into the circle the following afternoon against Cal and battled Forest to a scoreless tie after six innings.

Yet, the final performance of Finchās storied collegiate career fell just shy of another title-claiming effort as the Golden Bears finally touched up the Wildcats ace with two-outs in the top of the seventh inning.

Cal first baseman Candace Harper began things with a run-scoring single, and her teammates responded with an RBI walk and three-run double to chase Finch.

A half dozen runs later, Finchās impressive string of seven consecutive World Series victories was broken, as were the hearts of an embattled Arizona squad that followed the team to Oklahoma City.

The Wildcats (55-12) were never able to get on track against Forest (29-12), as the senior limited UA to just one hit while striking out eight.

ćI think that, as a coach, you canāt ask for anything more than what this team gave us,ä Candrea said. ćJennie Finch was the reason we got here and we rode her and I think (that she) just ran out of a little bit of gas.ä

Earning all-tournament honors for the Wildcats in Oklahoma City were Finch, Coburn, and sophomore first baseman Leneah Manuma.

Finch, Candrea join Team USA

The relationship of Finch and Candrea didnāt end with the loss to Cal.

Candrea, who was named the head coach of the USA womenās softball team hours after UA lost to the Golden Bears, will coach Finch along with senior Lovieanne Jung and former Wildcat Nicole Giordano, who earned roster spots for Team USA in the ISF Womenās World Championship in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, July 26-August 4.

ćI think this team is very talented and is a good mix of young and experienced players,ä said Candrea. ćIām very excited to get the opportunity to work with a team that has a combination of both power and speed.ä

Junior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest was also selected to the USA Softball Elite Team that will compete against the National Team in workouts and later participate in the Canada Cup international competition in Surrey, British Columbia, July 12-25.

Candrea, the Casa Grande native ÷ whose .836 NCAA winning percentage is second all-time among collegiate coaches ÷ will also serve as head coach for the 2002 World Championships and the 2003 Pan American Games.