The UCLA women’s softball team’s usual demolition of
other teams from Southern California was almost derailed when it
came home to play on Sunday.
Unranked Long Beach State (10-4) mounted two early rallies
against the nation’s top team, but were turned away as the
Bruins won 4-0.
UCLA won its three games in the Stacy Winsberg Memorial
Tournament to advance to 16-0.
On Sunday both teams had chances early in the game, but neither
team could convert.
It was an ominous sign for the Bruins, who usually jump out to
quick leads.
“You worry about a club that’s been doing so well
offensively. When it doesn’t come right away sometimes they
get in their own head,” coach Sue Enquist said.
“Our club didn’t do that today. They battled it
out,” she added.
With no score in the top of the fourth inning, the 49ers’
first three runners reached base against Keira Goerl, UCLA’s
best pitcher.
She was able to work out of the bases loaded, no-out jam with an
unexpected assist from the Bruins’ defense, which had been
the team’s biggest weakness so far this season.
With one out, left fielder Tara Henry charged on a fly ball to
make the catch, then threw to second in time to double off 49er
shortstop Jamie Farnworth to end the inning.
“As soon as (Henry) pulled that double play it was like
momentum was back on our side and we were unshakeable,”
freshman designated player Whitney Holum said.
Holum capitalized on the shift in momentum, doubling to left
field to drive in the game’s first run.
The Bruins added three more runs in the fifth to solidify
Goerl’s lead, including a two-run homer by center fielder
Stephanie Ramos.
It was a good thing UCLA got that insurance, as Long Beach State
mounted another rally in the seventh inning before Goerl (9-0)
closed the door.
She got her fifth shutout of the season but was hardly dominant,
only striking out three batters.
“It puts a little pressure on us when (Goerl) brings
anything but her “˜A’ game,” Enquist said.
At the plate it was a different story, especially for Ramos, who
hammered opposing pitchers all week. She hit 8 for 10 with three
home runs and 6 RBI.
After hitting home runs in back-to-back at-bats in the second
game against UC Santa Barbara (11-10), the Gauchos stopped giving
her good pitches to hit.
“It’s all about pitch selection and being
patient,” Ramos said.
On Saturday, UCLA had a pair of easy wins in a doubleheader
against UC Santa Barbara, 10-0 and 7-0.
The first game was called in the sixth inning when freshman Lisa
Dodd hit a grand slam to trigger softball’s mercy rule.
She then stepped into the pitching circle and threw a
three-hitter in the second game of the doubleheader to improve to
6-0.
Dodd wore a helmet with a football-style face mask when playing
second base on Saturday after taking a ground ball to the mouth
last week.
“The only thing I was worried about was missing the
practice this week,” Dodd said.
This weekend’s tournament was the first time the Bruins
played at UCLA. They will not have another home game until after
spring break.