Tuesday, February 18, 1997
SOFTBALL:
Shaky offense forces Bruin arms to flex vs. Stanford,
CaliforniaBy Melissa Anderson
Daily Bruin Staff
It wasn’t pretty, but they’ll take it.
The No. 2 UCLA softball team continued to struggle offensively
against Stanford last Sunday but was somehow able to squeak by with
a 1-0, 4-3 sweep of the Cardinal. That was good news, considering
the Bruins took a 7-0 pounding at the hand of California in
Saturday’s conference opener before winning the nightcap, 11-1.
Against Stanford, UCLA (8-4 overall, 3-1 Pacific 10) scattered
four hits over seven innings. Julie Marshall’s RBI double in the
third inning to drive in Christie Ambrosi was the sole extra-base
hit in the game and resulted in the only run of the opener.
That’s not to say the Bruins didn’t have chances. UCLA left
eight runners on base but was unable to capitalize on the
opportunities offered by the Cardinal (4-6, 0-2).
It was senior pitcher B’Ann Burns who was the real hero for the
Bruins. Burns, who also got the win over Cal on Saturday, improved
to a perfect 4-0 and is the only UCLA pitcher still undefeated.
Burns allowed just three hits and walked one while striking out
seven in seven innings on the mound.
Burns’ success comes as somewhat of a surprise. The veteran was
expected to play a backup role to freshman pitchers Christa
Williams and Courtney Dale. But the freshmen have struggled so far,
and that has left the door open for Burns to lead the way.
Dale started in the circle in Sunday’s nightcap, pitching five
innings and giving up three runs en route to capturing her second
victory of the year. Williams came on in relief to record the save,
striking out one batter in two innings of work.
The real struggle was on Saturday, however, when the Bruins took
on No. 8 Cal at Strawberry Field. With Williams on the mound in
Game 1, the Golden Bears jumped out to an early 2-0 lead on a
single by freshman Lisa Lancin and a bases-loaded walk issued to
catcher Megumi Takasaki in the second inning.
Cal (6-4, 1-1) got two more in the third, including a solo home
run by Melanie McCart, who had five RBIs in the opener. McCart’s
home run was the 20th of her career, setting an all-time school
record.
The Bruins were held hitless until the sixth inning by Bear
pitcher Holly Yost, who improved to 4-2 on the season.
But a different UCLA team seemed to take the field in the
nightcap, and this one was an offensive machine.
Cal scored first to take a 1-0 lead, but the Bruins struck back
quickly, scoring two in the second inning on a home run by
Marshall. UCLA scored four more runs in both the third and fourth
innings, including a three-run blast by catcher Stacey Nuveman.
Burns recorded the victory, allowing just five hits in seven
innings of work.
UCLA Sports Info
Pitcher B’Ann Burns