With no one on base, the UCLA softball team has shined this
year. But put a runner in scoring position, and the Bruin offense
has struggled this season. Their weakness during these situations
was apparent this past weekend when UCLA lost three games to the
Oregon schools. The Bruins only scored three runs, two of them
coming on solo home runs. UCLA racked up 17 hits, but only two came
with runners on base, and only one of them scored a run. It meant
19 runners were left on base over the weekend. “There
isn’t anything different physically about hitting with a
runner on base,” catcher Emily Zaplatosch said.
“Sometimes people start pressing with a runner on second or
third. They start thinking things. The game gets bigger for
people.” UCLA coach Sue Enquist has focused on trying to help
the team mentally at practice this week as preparation for this
weekend’s games at Stanford and Cal. “We’ve been
working on the foundation of what makes us execute,” Enquist
said. “Not guessing middle, in, or out, but focusing on the
pitcher’s tendencies. We have to think balls and strikes and
be aggressive. We have to relish going deep into the count.”
Enquist has stressed the importance of just focusing on advancing
the runner 60 feet to the next base, not necessarily driving them
in. “A hit by pitch or a walk is just as good as a line-drive
single,” she said. “We have to relish in the things
that help momentum.” In practice this week, the team has
worked on moving runners over in game situations. Over the weekend,
the Bruins only moved a runner over once while making an out.
“We’ve done a good job of getting runners on
base,” first baseman Lisa Dodd said. “We just have to
focus and getting the hits, sacrifice bunts and sacrifice flies
when we need them.” Dodd, who was a force at last
year’s World Series, has struggled throughout this season,
hitting only .171. Nevertheless, she remains optimistic.
“I’m beginning to come around,” Dodd said.
“I’m starting to come back to the player I used to be.
Enquist is confident her team will make the necessary adjustments.
“I always believe in my team,” she said.
“I’m the most shocked out of anyone. I believe that
this team will be mentally ready this weekend.”
TV EXPOSURE: The UCLA softball team will have many of its games
televised this season. Recently, ESPN reached a television a deal
with the Pac-10, allowing 15 conference games to be televised on
either ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU. Seven of those 15 games involve UCLA,
the next one being the April 15 home game against Arizona State.
“It’s wonderful for the program, and it gives exposure
to the Pac-10, the top conference in the country,” Enquist
said. “It’s also great for the sport. Kids that
don’t live in the area will be able to see us play.”
Saturday’s 1 p.m. game at Cal will be televised live on Fox
Sports West 2.
SUA NAMED VOLUNTEER ASSISTANT COACH: With UCLA alumna and
volunteer assistant coach Courtney Dale departing to play
professionally in Japan, Enquist hired former Bruin Claire Sua to
fill the vacant volunteer assistant coaching position. “Her
knowledge and her ability to share her experience will be an
asset,” Enquist said. Sua played for UCLA from 2001-2004,
receiving many national awards and finishing third on UCLA’s
career home run list.