Sooner or later, the Bruins are sure they will get their first
conference victory.
Over the past two weeks, UCLA softball has played well in every
area ““ hitting, pitching and fielding.
The Bruins just haven’t been able to perform in all three
aspects during the same game yet, sending them to a 0-4 Pac-10
record.
But catcher Emily Zaplatosch believes the team can rebound.
“We know we’re good, and we know we’re
confident, so it’s just a matter of time before it’s
all going to be put together,” Zaplatosch said.
Despite their recent slide, the Bruins are still considered one
of the top teams in the nation, with a No. 3 ranking and a 27-5
overall record.
While they could be 4-0 in conference, instead they find
themselves at 0-4. The Bruins have taken leads into the late
innings of each Pac-10 game.
However, each part of the team’s play has fallen apart in
the late innings.
“Knowing the parts of our game that were not sharp, it
doesn’t surprise me,” coach Sue Enquist said of her
team’s start in conference play.
The Pac-10 is the strongest conference in softball: UCLA’s
losses were to No. 1 Arizona and No. 6 Washington.
This week’s opponents, the Oregon schools, are both ranked
in the top 15, yet still considered in the bottom half of the
Pac-10. Enquist fears an emotional letdown.
“My only concern emotionally is that the club will say,
“˜Oh phew, we’re playing Oregon; we’re entitled to
a win now,'” she said.
What UCLA has been able to rely on in conference play has been
its power hitting. The Bruins have scored 21 runs so far, mainly by
the long ball.
Conversely, for the first time this season, Enquist pointed to
their pitching as a recent concern.
Keira Goerl (15-3), the Bruins’ top pitcher, has given up
18 runs in her last three outings, mostly in the late innings.
She said these types of streaks are just a part of the game.
“I went through it last year. It happens, and you just
have to move on,” Goerl said.
A year ago, Goerl was named College World Series MVP as the
Bruins won the national title.
This year the Bruins have been defending the title with four
freshmen in the starting lineup.
While the freshmen have yet to enjoy a Pac-10 win, Zaplatosch is
confident in her younger teammates.
“The youth to me really isn’t an issue,”
Zaplatosch said. “We’ve all played in fall, we’ve
all got games under our belts.”
The Bruins’ strong start has helped the teammates maintain
a positive outlook and gain confidence in each other despite their
recent struggles.
“Considering we have had a few tough weeks, we’re
not worrying,” Zaplatosch said. “We’re staying
positive. If you walked into the clubhouse, I don’t think you
could tell we’re not winning right now.”