The Huskies seem to bring out the best in the Bruins.
The No. 2 UCLA softball team swept the season series from No. 4
Washington with a combined score of 26-2 with Wednesday’s
11-0 win in Seattle.
“I hope our team documents this,” UCLA head coach
Sue Enquist said. “It’s something to draw on.
Washington’s a good club, and to beat them decisively is
impressive.”
Bruin shortstop Natasha Watley has been on an impressive streak
of her own. For the second consecutive game, she hit two home runs,
and also had five RBI in Wednesday’s game.
Known for her skills as a leadoff hitter, her stolen bases and
amazing ability to get on base, Watley is now tied for ninth in the
Pac-10 with 10 home runs.
“I have no idea,” Watley said about the reason
behind the power surge. “I’m just seeing the ball
really well and going with it.”
One of the home runs came when it was still a relatively close
game in the fourth inning. The Bruins were leading 3-0 with two
outs when Watley homered to right field, giving the Bruins a safe
lead.
And in the seventh, with the score 8-0, Watley finished out the
scoring for UCLA with a three-run homer to center field.
“It’s crazy,” catcher Emily Zaplatosch said.
“She’s just amazing to watch. She pumps up the whole
team.” Zaplatosch had a home run of her own, a solo shot in
the fifth with two outs.
The Bruins (40-5, 12-3 Pac-10) scored all of their 11 runs with
two outs, and scored in every inning except the first.
One of the big two-out hits came in the third inning, when
Stephanie Ramos stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and a
1-0 lead. Ramos hit a single, scoring Duran and Watley.
“That was a pivotal part of the game,” Enquist said.
“It was great for Ramos, too.”
In the circle, UCLA pitcher Keira Goerl threw a one-hitter, her
13th of the year, and shut out the Huskies (40-10-1, 7-8), raising
her record to 30-5.
“Keira pitched really well,” Zaplatosch said.
“She hit her spots, and when there were runners on, we got
out of the innings easily.”
The Bruins have won seven games in a row.