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Kentucky softball has one Women’s College World Series run: Who has the most?

The Cats have been to Oklahoma City just once for the WCWS. The question then is which programs have dominated over the years?
ByDrew Holbrook|
Kentucky's Ally Hutchins (7), facing camera, celebrates with Erin Coffel (21) and Grace Lorsung (33) after driving in the game-winning run in the seventh inning of a softball game against Michigan in the first round of the Stillwater Regional of the NCAA Tournament in Stillwater, Okla., Friday, May 17, 2024.
Kentucky's Ally Hutchins (7), facing camera, celebrates with Erin Coffel (21) and Grace Lorsung (33) after driving in the game-winning run in the seventh inning of a softball game against Michigan in the first round of the Stillwater Regional of the NCAA Tournament in Stillwater, Okla., Friday, May 17, 2024. | BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kentucky softball etched its name in Big Blue Nation (BBN) lore with a single Women’s College World Series (WCWS) appearance in 2014, a milestone reached under coach Rachel Lawson in her seventh season. The Wildcats’ thrilling journey to Oklahoma City remains their only trip to college softball’s grandest stage, a testament to their grit in a sport dominated by perennial powers. As No. 23 Kentucky baseball scores football-like tallies in 2025 (24-3 vs. Evansville, February 25), wildcatbluenation.com revisits that 2014 WCWS run and spotlights the elite programs that have danced at Devon Park more than once.

Who’s Been to the WCWS More Than Once?

Kentucky’s lone WCWS trip stands alongside giants who’ve made it a habit—here’s the elite list of programs with multiple appearances through 2024:

UCLA (31 appearances, 12 titles) - The gold standard, with titles from 1982 to 2019—three-peats in 1988-90 (NCAA.com).

Oklahoma (18 appearances, 8 titles) - Four straight crowns (2021-24), starting in 2000—second-ever WCWS game at Devon Park was theirs (SoonerSports.com).

Arizona (25 appearances, 8 titles) - A 1990s dynasty with five titles, last in 2007—16 straight trips from 1988-2003 (NCAA.com).

Texas A&M (7 appearances, 2 titles) - Early powers in 1983 and 1987, last visited in 2008 (NCAA.com).

Florida (12 appearances, 2 titles) - Back-to-back champs (2014-15), 11 trips since 2008—ended Kentucky’s run (NCAA.com).

Florida State (12 appearances, 1 title) - 2018 champs, eight straight from 2018-24—ousted UK in 2014 (NCAA.com).

Washington (15 appearances, 1 title) - 2009 champs, consistent since
Alabama (14 appearances, 1 title) - 2012 title, 11 since 2005—blanked UK in 2014
Oklahoma State (10 appearances, 0 titles) - Six since 2019, no hardware yet.
Michigan (13 appearances, 1 title) - 2005 champs, 12 since 1995.

Kentucky’s Quest for More


Kentucky softball’s 2014 WCWS debut—Joiner’s 73 hits, Nunley’s 1.88 ERA (UKAthletics.com)—set a bar Lawson’s chasing. Oklahoma’s four-peat and UCLA’s dozen titles tower over UK’s lone star, but BBN knows one trip can spark more.

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