The numbers are absolutely staggering. One hundred and
twenty-five combined postseason games played. A 187-43 record. 111
home runs, 374 RBI’s and 435 runs scored. Two national
championships. But numbers only tell part of the story of the four
players who make up the UCLA softball team’s senior class. It
is the work ethic, attitude, leadership and character of each
player that will leave the greatest legacy when their UCLA careers
come to an end. “The intangible things ““ there’s
a chemistry about all of them,” coach Sue Enquist said.
“They’re the first senior class in a long time that has
really led by example. They never came in here saying,
“˜We’re seniors’ with a heavy hand. They have
found their own comfort zone in leading and the team is reaping the
benefits of it.” “We would not be anywhere near where
we are today if we didn’t have them,” junior pitcher
and first baseman Lisa Dodd said. “All four of them bring
something different to the team, and they’re a big part of
us.” As second baseman Caitlin Benyi, third baseman Andrea
Duran, catcher Emily Zaplatosch and utility Alissa Eno head into
the NCAA Super Regional this weekend, each feels accomplished about
her UCLA career but also remains hungry for one more national
title.
The first title Coming into a program with a
history such as that of UCLA softball can be a bit nerve-racking.
And when this year’s senior class came in as freshmen for the
2003 season, the pressure was intensified. Bruin greats Natasha
Watley and Tairia Mims were seniors, but since the Bruins had not
won a title since 1999, neither player had a ring and this was
their last chance to claim one. Moreover, Zaplatosch, Benyi and
Duran had to immediately step in and start among a core of junior
and senior players. “It was a little intimidating at first
because you had the Natasha Watleys and the Tairia Mims, and all
these national team players and Olympians,” Duran said.
“It was a humbling experience after being one of the better
players on your travel ball team.” But it didn’t take
long for the freshmen class to blend in. Duran, Zaplatosch and
Benyi were all very productive with the bats, and gave the two
senior hitters plenty of protection while Eno chipped in as a pinch
runner and defensive replacement. After losing a 10-inning battle
to California in their first World Series game, the Bruins stormed
back to win their next four games before facing Cal again in the
title game. The game was another hard-fought struggle, but the
Bruins managed to muster a run in the top of ninth and pitcher
Keira Goerl shut the door in the bottom of the ninth to win a
dramatic national title ring. “It was unbelievable,”
said Zaplatosch, whose sacrifice bunt in the top of the ninth
inning set up the game-winning run. “It didn’t set in
for a couple of weeks afterwards. Being able to just go in and
contribute and win the whole thing ““ you get kind of
speechless.” “To be such a big part of (the 2003
seniors’ first championship) was just an awesome
feeling,” Benyi added. “It’s like you’re at
the top of your game as a freshman. We were just completely amazed
and loving our lives.” The Bruins would breeze through the
competition the next year, winning all of their post-season games
to bring back their second straight title to Westwood. Last season,
UCLA struggled through the regular season but finished just one win
away from bringing home a third national title. The Bruins lost in
a 10-inning game to Michigan, barely denying the seniors their
third title in three years.
The present This year’s seniors are
different from the senior class of 2003. They have already won two
national titles and have already accomplished more than anyone
expected in their UCLA careers. But the seniors have shown no signs
of slowing down this season. Duran, who was recognized as the
Pac-10 Player of the Year this season, has improved her numbers for
the fourth consecutive year. Out of the leadoff spot, she has hit
12 home runs and leads the team outright in RBIs (39), runs (53),
batting average (.356) and stolen bases (19). Duran, who has a 3.5
GPA as a sociology major, has been named National Player of the
Week twice this season, and was recently honored as a first-team
Academic All-American selection. “Duran, to me, truly
emulates what a UCLA student-athlete is all about,” Enquist
said. “She is extremely committed and successful in the
classroom. I’ve seen her game grow every year and she leads
us in so many categories.” Benyi and Zaplatosch have
continued their productivity and are among the leaders in most of
the Bruins’ offensive categories this year. Benyi is second
to Duran on the team with 35 RBIs, and has hit .349 this season.
Benyi also passed Claire Sua for third place on the all-time UCLA
career home runs list this year. “Benyi has brought to this
program the ability to enjoy the pressure and coming through and
being a clutch performer for us,” Enquist said. “She
has really gravitated to being someone that can represent UCLA both
between the white lines and outside the white lines.”
Zaplatosch, meanwhile, has been an anchor for the Bruins behind the
plate for four years now, catching star pitchers such as Keira
Goerl and current sophomore Anjelica Selden. She has continued to
be a force in the middle of the lineup this season. “Zap came
into this program and was forced to be in a high-profile position
behind the plate, and she’s held it down since the day
she’s got here,” Enquist said. “It’s been
such a great run for her.” While Eno hasn’t been a
regular starter during her four-year career, she still has had a
major impact on the team. Eno has appeared in 126 games as a
pinch-runner, defensive replacement in the outfield, and designated
player during her career. The utility player has played in 46 of
the team’s 53 games this year, and her contribution to the
team was recognized by the Pac-10 earlier this week when she earned
the All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention. “Alissa Eno has incredible
courage,” Enquist said. “She takes pride in what she
does. She’s that individual that you can count on for us
everyday.”
Legacy All of the seniors will leave UCLA with
a truckload of memories both on and off the field. Eno recalled
2003, when the team met President Bush after winning the national
title, and how the players met and chatted with John Wooden during
her tenure. From World Series celebrations, tradition on road trips
and team bonding activities throughout the season, the team is a
very close-knit unit. That’s one of the reasons why, when the
four seniors depart at the end of the year, it will not simply mark
the end of the road for a class that experienced a great deal of
on-the-field success. “The friendships that I’ve made
here and the relationships that I’ve built with the coaches,
the players and the alumni; it’s so much more than softball
here,” Benyi said. “For me (the most proud feeling)
will be just the idea of being a Bruin,” she said. While the
players already feel as though they have accomplished their goals
as UCLA athletes, the prospects of going out the same way they came
in ““ with a national title ““ are enough to keep their
motivation and drive at a very high level. “(Winning a title
this year) would just be icing on the cake; it would be
amazing,” Eno said. “It would just be a great way to
end my career here and a great way to end the season.” And
though the resolve and drive remains at a level as high as ever
before for this year’s seniors, they also realize that if
they fall short, they have a lot on which they can hang their hats.
“Obviously, (winning a title this year) would be even more
special, but in the same sense, we don’t validate our careers
based on national championships,” Benyi said.
“We’ve done so many special things here that if for
some reason it didn’t work out, we would have no
regrets.”
With reports from Gilbert Quinoñez, Bruin Sports senior
staff.