Chapman University

Playing in its first full season at the Division III level (after transitioning from Division II), the 1995 Panthers captured their first-ever softball national championship by sweeping through the regional and championship tournaments in Storm Lake, Iowa. Chapman went 43-5 that season, including winning their final 12 games in a row (6-0 in playoffs) and defeated five-time national champion Trenton State 4-2 in the title game.

It was a cast of talented new faces that would set in motion a dynasty-worthy program that went on to reach the NCAA championship game five times in six years from 1995-2000. Junior transfers Kathy Donovan and Lisa Cancilla along with freshmen Christy Guidorizzi and Jessamine Maiben set records in the circle and at bat. All four earned First Team All-America honors that season and were named to the finals All-Tournament team. It was the rookie Guidorizzi who posted a 27-4 record and struck out a Chapman-record 283 batters in 196 innings, including an NCAA-best 20 strikeouts in a 5-0 win over Allegheny (Pa.) in the championships opener. She would later be named National Player of the Year in 1996 as the Panthers earned national runners-up.

1995 Chapman Softball Roster

Holly Bower
Lisa Cancilla
Mo Caryl
Eddeane Casares
Kathy Donovan*
Bernie Fancuberta
Leslie Gerbin
Christy Guidorizzi
Melissa Hernandez
Jessamine Maiben*
Carrie Marostica
Jennifer Martinez
Lacee Rashi
Katie Shankle-Chriss
Lisa Simpson
Krista Von Willer

Co-Head Coaches: Lisle Lloyd*, Janet Lloyd
Assistant Coach: Renee Hernandez

*Chapman Hall of Fame inductee