Thursday, May 23, 1996
Pac-10 is dominant presence, Michigan first Bruin opponent
By Brent Boyd
Daily Bruin Contributor
Although it is officially called the Women’s College World
Series, this year it could be confused with a Pacific 10
invitational.
When UCLA’s Julie Adams caught a pop-up in foul territory to
clinch the regional championship over Cal State Fullerton, the
Bruins became the fourth Pac-10 team to book travel plans for
Columbus, Ga., site of the 1996 softball championships.
With Washington, Arizona and California having already clinched
series births, UCLA’s 10th consecutive regional championship
assured that the West would be well-represented in Georgia,
comprising half of the eight-team field.
"That just shows you the overall strength of our conference,"
UCLA co-head coach Sharron Backus said. "It shows that we do have
good softball in the Pac-10, one of the best conferences in the
nation."
They clearly proved that last weekend. As the only four teams
from the conference to receive bids to the 32-team tournament, they
notched an overall record of 13-1, with UCLA falling to Fullerton,
5-1, in the opening round on Friday.
Each conference squad was paired against a non-Pac-10 opponent
for today’s first round. It is possible that all four semifinal
teams could hail from the Pac-10.
Swept four times this season by Arizona, the Bruins are
anticipating an impending second-round matchup with their nemesis
on Friday.
But before they can begin worrying about their arch rivals, the
fourth-ranked Bruins must first deal with No. 7 Michigan in their
opening round matchup today at 3:30 p.m. at Golden Park Stadium,
site of the 1996 Olympic softball competition.
"We remember Michigan all too well from last year," Backus said.
"We know that we have to come ready to play."
Michigan handed UCLA its only home loss a season ago, 5-4 in
extra innings.
Coming to play for the opening round of the regionals was a
problem for UCLA. Entering the tournament on a 13-game winning
streak, a lackluster performance resulted in a blowout loss that
almost ruined its championship aspirations.
"It was a definite wake up call," Backus said. "We know how
badly we had played, and knew we needed to improve, and we
did."
If the Bruins hope to remain in the winner’s bracket after the
first day of competition, they won’t be able to afford another poor
performance. Michigan will not let them get away with it.
Led offensively and defensively by pitcher Sara Griffin (.412
batting average, 46 RBIs, 1.05 ERA), the Wolverines (51-12) have
rebounded from early-season struggles to go 35-4 in the last two
months of the season, including a season-ending nine-game winning
streak.
But Michigan won’t be the only distraction facing the Bruins.
The heat is expected to reach the mid-90s and the humidity of the
South may take an initial toll on the players. In addition, the
large crowds and media exposure could have a detrimental effect on
such a young team.
"I think that our club was helped out by our earlier experiences
this year," senior Kelly Howard said. "I think we’ll play better in
front of the big crowds than we did earlier this season (at Arizona
and Fresno). The freshmen are a little more adapted to the
situation. This tournament means a lot to me. It’s going to be real
exciting and the experience should be great for us. We should do
just fine."
If UCLA beats Michigan, it plays Friday night against the
Iowa-Arizona winner, while losing means a Saturday afternoon
matchup with the loser of that game.
FRED HE/Daily Bruin
Pitcher B’Ann Burns will need several gems from the mound.