In order to prepare for the upcoming season, the UCLA softball
team has summoned a multitude of players from its illustrious past
as a reminder of what it is striving for this season.
Saturday, UCLA will start off its schedule by mixing current and
former Bruins in the Alumni Game to be held at Easton Stadium at 1
p.m.
The Bruins, who have made three consecutive NCAA final
appearances, but have finished as NCAA runners-up the previous two
seasons, look to make another run at their 10th NCAA
Championship.
The teams will consist of a mix of current and former Bruins
intermingled as the UCLA Blue and Gold teams.
The list of alumni participating includes recently-graduated
players Julie Adams, Lyndsey Klein, Courtney Dale, Lupe Brambilla
and Marin Noack. Members of Bruin teams from the 1980s and early
1990s are also competing. Lisa Fernandez and Gina Vecchione, who
graduated during that time, are both now coaches for the
Bruins.
The Alumni Game”šs ceremonial first pitch will be thrown by
former Bruin Lisa Longaker (1987-90), a two-time Honda Award winner
and three-time All-American who was inducted into the UCLA
Athletics Hall of Fame last fall.
The Bruins, who are co-favored with Arizona to win the Pac-10,
are looking to have some fun before starting off their schedule
with the Cal State Northridge Tournament, which they are co-hosting
next weekend at Easton Stadium.
Compiled by Michael Sneag, Daily Bruin Contributor.