As No. 9 UCLA softball team heads into the Long Beach State Invitational this weekend, coach Kelly Inouye-Perez insists that her team is still very much a work in progress.
“The bottom line is that the consistency of the game is always going to be a challenge,” Inouye-Perez said. ”We’re still learning on how we can play consistently, that’s what we’re going to focus on. We’re going to be a little more consistent as a club so that when we get into Pac-12, we’ll have a better grip on all of this.”
The Bruins (18-3) have been buoyed by a solid defense despite an inexperienced starting lineup. They entered this season with only senior outfielder B.B. Bates, and two pitchers, junior Jessica Hall and sophomore Ally Carda, returning to start in the positions they played last year.
The 2013 Bruins have undergone a remodel from their 2012 selves. Sophomore Stephany LaRosa, last year’s starting third baseman, has switched back to shortstop, the position she played in high school. Sophomore Gracie Goulder, who started as a freshman shortstop at Georgia before transferring, now mans second base. Senior Devon Lindvall and junior Alyssa Tiumalu, who started a combined 43 games last year for the Bruins, have taken over everyday roles as outfielder and catcher, respectively.
Freshmen start at several other positions for UCLA. Despite so many new faces in new places for the Bruins, the young team has developed chemistry built upon a shared trust in one another.
“We have had solid defense, we’re all out there together, we’re very connected,” LaRosa said. “Regardless if someone makes an error or an amazing play we’re going to be there for them, we’re going to have their back and I think that has really helped us out this year.”
Through the first month of the season the Bruins’ new-look defense boasts a strong fielding percentage with .986. Additionally, the team has only committed eight errors this year, compared to their opponents’ 33 errors.
While the season has not yet reached the halfway point and conference play is still to come, the Bruins have been happy so far with their play on the field.
“I think our pitchers are doing great,” Bates said. “The defense is doing a phenomenal job, I am very proud of (them).”