It took nearly the entire season, but freshman Ashley Herrera
has finally established herself as a starter for the Bruins going
into the postseason. Since being inserted into the bottom of the
lineup five games ago, she has been a spark plug, getting on base
consistently. Coach Sue Enquist turned to three different left
fielders during conference play, looking for offensive production
out of a weak link in the lineup. Herrera has responded, getting on
base for more than half her plate appearances since being inserted
into the lineup. “There’s been so many
opportunities,” Herrera said. “I guess that’s
what keeps me going. There’s always a chance to prove
myself.” The bottom of the lineup is particularly important
for the Bruins because Caitlin Benyi ““ who led the Pac-10
Conference in home runs ““ is the leadoff hitter. She hit a
number of solo shots for most of the season but now has a better
chance to drive runners in. Herrera has also come up with her share
of clutch hits. Her two-out, infield single against top-ranked
Arizona on Friday tied the game in the sixth inning, a game that
the Bruins would go on to win. “The great thing about
(Herrera) is she plays the game so hard,” Enquist said. Like
UCLA’s other left fielders, Herrera gives the team some speed
at the bottom of the lineup. While Enquist rarely turns to the
running game, Herrera can swipe a base and did so Saturday against
Arizona State. For most of the conference schedule, Enquist used
Herrera as a pinch runner and as an extra outfielder who did not
hit when Lisa Dodd was pitching. But as the Bruins come down the
stretch trying to repeat as national champions, Herrera will play
an important role. “With the position she’s in, I just
have asked her to go for it,” Enquist said.
REGIONAL GAMES TELEVISED: ESPN will broadcast
three regional games live from UCLA’s Easton Stadium this
weekend. They will broadcast Friday’s noon game,
Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinal and Sunday’s 1 p.m.
regional final game.
TOURNAMENT NEWCOMERS: Louisville, the No. 4
seed in the UCLA regional, is playing in regionals for the first
time in the five-year history of its softball program. The
Cardinals will not be the only team seeking their first postseason
win. Mississippi Valley State ““ UCLA’s first opponent
““ and Cornell have never won a playoff game either.
ALL-CONFERENCE SELECTIONS: Benyi and senior
Stephanie Ramos were named to the Pac-10 first team on Wednesday.
Seniors Keira Goerl and Claire Sua, along with freshman Jodie
Legaspi, made the second team. Freshman Lisa Dodd and sophomores
Andrea Duran and Emily Zaplatosch were honorable mentions in the
nation’s strongest conference.