The UCLA softball team’s bottom of the order often goes
unnoticed, with the team’s star hitters at the top and middle
of the order getting most of the attention. But the Bruins’
No. 7, 8 and 9 hitters have all been hitting the ball well lately
and have been one of the keys to the team’s recent success
heading into the NCAA Super Regionals against Georgia on Friday (6
p.m.) and Saturday (6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., if necessary) at
UCLA’s Easton Stadium. “Our bottom of the order was
responsible for our championships the last two years,” UCLA
coach Sue Enquist said. “Historically, this year’s
bottom of the order is doing what UCLA teams always do.”
Krista Colburn, the No. 7 hitter, hit a key home run in the
deciding game against Cal State Fullerton at the NCAA Regionals,
which the Bruins (34-17) won. Lisa Dodd, the No. 8 hitter, hit a
home run and had five RBI over the weekend. And Ashley Herrera, the
No. 9 hitter, went 3-for-4 with two walks in Sunday’s two
wins over Fullerton. So it should come as no surprise that the
bottom of the order’s success has coincided with the Bruins
(34-17) recent offensive surge. “I know they don’t get
the attention, but they’re critical to our team,”
Enquist said. And no one has made as big an impact as Dodd at the
bottom of the order. In the middle of the order for most of the
year, Dodd’s offense struggled, with her average dropping all
the way down to a paltry .143. Since moving to the No. 8 spot,
however, Dodd has found her swing, raising her average to .204 in
just three weeks. “We’re playing UCLA softball,”
Dodd said. “When we’re playing our best, there’s
no one that can beat us. Our hitting is finally coming
together.”
POWER SURGE: Six different Bruins hit home runs over the
weekend, an offensive explosion that draws comparisons to the
lineup that won the title the past two years. “It’s
very simple to explain the payoff,” Enquist said. “This
team is trusting their plan through entire games. They’re
staying within themselves whether they have the advantage in the
count or not.” UCLA second baseman Caitlin Benyi had three
home runs over the weekend, giving her a total of 13 on the season.
While that is still significantly less than her 24 roundtrippers a
year ago, which led the nation, Benyi appears to be peaking,
clubbing nine home runs in her last 15 games. “It’s not
a surprise to me,” Benyi said. When the Bruins won
back-to-back NCAA titles the past two seasons, they had a lineup
full of power hitters, something they didn’t seem to have for
most of the season. Now, everyone is hitting balls over the fence.
“Everything’s falling into place,” Benyi said.
“People are heating up.”
FROM DUSK ‘TIL DAWN: UCLA is practicing in the late
evening this week to prepare for the expected game conditions this
weekend, when the team will play two games starting at 6 p.m.
“The field is different at dusk,” Enquist said.
“Over half of it is covered in shade. The kids need to get
some experience out there.” Lights are being installed this
week, marking the Bruins’ first night games at Easton since
the 2004 NCAA Regionals.