Thursday, 5/22/97 Nothing more to prove SOFTBALL: Determined and
unstoppable, Christie Ambrosi has bounced back from injuries and
adjusted to a lineup change
By Melissa Anderson Daily Bruin Staff Christie Ambrosi has taken
the saying "No pain, no gain" to another level. As the starting
shortstop for most of the year on the UCLA softball team, Ambrosi
has had her fair share of diving catches, difficult throws and
pick-off plays. She has also had her share of injuries, though you
might not know it judging by her lack of absences in the lineup. In
the opening inning against Arizona at Easton Stadium last March,
Ambrosi was on the wrong end of a pick-off play at first base. And
as she slid back to the base, the sophomore jammed her hand into
the bag but was called out. What she didn’t know at the time was
that the hand was broken and would keep her on the bench for the
next two games. However, that didn’t stop her from remaining in
that game, racking up three hits and scoring a run in UCLA’s 5-1
win over the Wildcats. "I didn’t think it was broken," Ambrosi
said. "It started to hurt later in the game, but we were playing
Arizona. I was so into the game that I wasn’t even thinking about
my hand." Ironically, in her first game back from the hand injury,
Ambrosi twisted her ankle. Again, she stayed in the game against
California but was later sidelined for three more games. "I think I
handled my hand much better than my ankle," Ambrosi said. "I
started to get really frustrated and think ‘Why me?’ It was hard
mentally because it’s hard for me to sit on the bench and watch."
That attitude is part of what makes Ambrosi an integral part of
this year’s squad. As the leadoff hitter, she is batting .370 with
40 runs scored and more than anything, she despises losing.
According to head coach Sue Enquist, Ambrosi’s competitiveness and
her determination to do whatever the team needs to win ballgames
are essential parts of Ambrosi’s game. They are also what helped
her cope with and accept being moved to center field at the end of
the regular season after spending all of her playing time at
shortstop. With the high number of injuries incurred by UCLA this
season (in addition to last year’s injury to shortstop Nicole Odom
that forced her to red-shirt this season), there was almost always
an infielder on the bench with an ailment, making Ambrosi a
seemingly-permanent fixture at short. But with the return of Julie
Adams and Laurie Fritz to the lineup, Ambrosi became a victim of
lineup shuffling and found herself in the outfield, a position she
played as a freshman. "It was a surprise when (Coach Enquist) first
told me. I guess I was being selfish at first. I was like ‘What?
I’ve played there all year.’ But the more I thought about it, the
more I thought that this is going to be better for the team,"
Ambrosi said. "I’m having fun out there and I feel comfortable. I
don’t have a problem with it whatsoever." The ease of her
transition did not go unnoticed by Enquist, or for that matter, the
NCAA. Ambrosi was named to the All-Regional team for her
performance both offensively and defensively in Louisiana. "I don’t
know if there are too many players out there that could make the
adjustment, have a good attitude and know that as an individual you
are giving it up for the team," Enquist said. "Shortstop is a high
profile position and Christie came to me when we moved her (to the
outfield) and said ‘I’ll do whatever it takes for the team to win.’
"She has taken on the position with a lot of pride and has made
some beautiful plays in the outfield, both with her glove and her
arm." Pride is something Ambrosi has a lot of when it comes to her
game, as is confidence. Though she is the first person to point out
her weaknesses, the Overland Park, Kan. native is done proving
herself. Rather, she takes an aggressive approach to every at-bat
and refuses to yield, regardless of the opponent. "I think I have
really adjusted better this year. As a freshman, you feel like you
have so much to prove and I think that was a downfall for me,"
Ambrosi said. "I don’t need to prove anything to anyone. I’m at
UCLA, I have those four letters across my chest, that’s enough.
I’ve proven myself. "With that mindset this year, I have been able
to do what I need to help the team win. I go in (the batter’s box)
and I think ‘Bring it, because I’m better than you’. That is my
mindset. I have a lot of confidence and that helps my offense. When
you go in there doubting yourself, you are never going to hit."
Enquist has no doubt that Ambrosi will be a leader for her squad in
the years to come, basically for two simple reasons. "She’s a
competitor," Enquist said, "and she hates to lose." UCLA Sports
Info Christie Ambrosi will play center field for the Bruins today.
CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin Sophomore Christie Ambrosi has fought back
from a broken hand and a twisted ankle to help the Bruins reach the
College World Series.