A dominant Bruin softball team seemingly drove away the rain
clouds that accompanied the opening of the Stacy Winsberg Memorial
Tournament on Friday with a display of offensive power that
catapulted its record to an incredible 19-1.
Precipitation claimed the tournament’s first game between
Santa Clara and San Jose State, but aside from that, the weather
presented no problem.
On Friday, UCLA trounced Cal Poly, winning 9-1 and 8-0 with the
aid of a grand slam in the first game from junior shortstop Jodie
Legaspi and a seven-hit day from senior third baseman Andrea
Duran.
On Saturday, UCLA took it to San Jose State, winning the first
game 8-0 and the second game 8-2, courtesy of the bats of Legaspi
(3-for-6, 2 home runs) and junior left fielder Krista Colburn (2-7,
1 home run).
On Sunday, the Bruins defeated Santa Clara 8-2 in the first game
and 8-1 in the nightcap.
“I’m really proud of the energy put forth by this
team,” coach Sue Enquist said. “The game never knows
who is supposed to win, so you’ve got to go out there and
play your “˜A’ game.”
Offense was the highlight of the weekend, and every spot in the
order contributed.
Legaspi and Duran were two of the more notable producers. Duran
went 7-for-7 with two home runs on Friday and had hits in eight
consecutive at-bats before being retired in the second inning of
Saturday’s first matchup with San Jose State.
Duran, who also scored and reached base in every game for the
weekend, is one of just three UCLA players ever to get eight
consecutive hits.
“I don’t think I’ve ever (gone 7-for-7)
before,” Duran said after Friday’s games.
“It’s pretty cool.”
Duran hit 12-for-18 to finish the weekend, with three home runs,
one triple and three doubles, scoring 13 times and driving in
six.
Legaspi went 6-for-17, launching four home runs and doubling
once to get eight RBIs and score six times. Enquist praised her
shortstop and her third baseman.
“(Duran’s play) was just exemplary. She’s a
gamer. She really lit our fire this weekend.” Enquist
said.
“It was just great to see Legaspi hit with such
authority,” Enquist added. “Her swing is so sound and
she’s a power hitter. She was just swinging with a lot of
confidence.”
Legaspi also had praise for her teammate.
“(Duran) is a phenomenal athlete. It was nice to see her
come out and have a great weekend like that,” Legaspi
said.
As for her newfound power, the shortstop credited mechanics.
“I saw (this weekend) as a time to get work in. I
don’t really try to hit home runs, but it just happens that
way,” she said.
In the circle, junior Lisa Dodd and sophomore Anjelica Selden
also held their own, keeping pace with the offensive
production.
Dodd shut out Cal Poly to begin the tourney, and provided
commanding performances against San Jose and Santa Clara.
Selden was also dominant, displaying her smoke artistry with 30
strikeouts in 17 innings. She and Dodd also worked out of several
tight spots, earning praise from Enquist.
“I think that Dodd and Selden did a good job, knowing that
there were times when they got behind. I appreciate how they
recovered when they got themselves in a pinch,” Enquist
said.