Colgate might strike fear into cavities, but it doesn’t
usually strike fear into big-name teams like UCLA.
But going into the NCAA regionals today, that’s all the
Bruins are thinking about ““ their opponents on the softball
field, not the toothpaste.
“I’m only thinking about Colgate right now,”
head coach Sue Enquist said. “I don’t know much about
them, but we’re going to find out.”
The No. 2 seed nationally, the Bruins have been placed in NCAA
Region II, hosted by Fresno State. UCLA is the No. 1 seed in its
regional bracket. The eight-team, double-elimination tournament
lasts through Sunday.
“This time of year is exciting,” Bruin third baseman
Toria Auelua said. “It’s just another step toward the
World Series.”
The winners of each of the eight regions will advance to the
Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, May 22-26.
The road to Oklahoma begins today for the Bruins (45-6), who
play regional No. 8 seed Colgate (31-13) at 12:30 p.m.
Colgate’s record would normally warrant a higher seeding
from a school in a top conference, but the Raiders play in the
Patriot League and didn’t play a single ranked team this
season.
The Bruins didn’t lose to a single non-ranked team during
the season, but aren’t looking past the Raiders.
“There’s a certain electric energy right now,”
second baseman Monique Mejia said.
“It’s time to show up and put it all out there.
Basic things we do can be integral. Right now it’s the time
to think about swinging at that riseball. There’s a certain
freedom right now. You just have to be the best
possible.”
Enquist will continue stressing what she’s been stressing
all year ““ defense.
“We’re still on task. No one likes to talk about
defense,” Enquist said. “But you can trust your
defense. Your offense won’t always be there.”
UCLA’s offense has been spectacular of late, averaging 8.2
runs in its last five games.
But should the Bruins’ bats fail, two teams in their
region can give them some serious competition. Georgia, the No. 2
seed in the region, was ranked No. 7 nationally before losing two
games at the SEC tournament.
And Fresno State (No. 4 seed) is the Bruins’ long-time
rival, with the two teams having met three times in the NCAA
championship game. Fresno also has the home-field advantage.
Should the favorites win, Fresno will play UCLA in the second
round on Friday.