After UCLA failed to score a run against Washington on
Wednesday, the Bruins could use an easy opponent to work out the
kinks in the offense.
Instead, they have to face a pair of top-10 teams this weekend
in California and Stanford during their final road trip of the
season.
No. 3 UCLA (34-8, 7-7 Pac-10) had been playing its best softball
of the conference season until Thursday’s tough loss.
It will start at No. 4 Cal (40-11, 7-8) on Friday, another
highly regarded team which has struggled at times in Pac-10
play.
But the main test may come when the Bruins face No. 7 Stanford
(40-13, 10-5) in two games Saturday and Sunday.
The Cardinal is a surprising second in the conference
standings.
In the teams’ first meeting, Stanford beat the Bruins 1-0
with Dana Sorensen’s four-hit shut out ““ the first time
all season UCLA had been shut out.
With the Bruins’ bats going silent during multiple golden
opportunities on Wednesday, coach Sue Enquist said the Bruins need
to change their approach and manufacture runs.
“We’re going to have to have small ball and big ball
in order to finish out the season tough and do well in the
regional,” Enquist said.
The last time they were shut out, the Bruins made major changes
to the lineup, sparking a five-game winning streak.
After Wednesday’s loss, Enquist focused on the
team’s approach, not who would be playing over the
weekend.
She said the bottom of the lineup did a good job working the
count and reaching base to give the big bats another chance in the
seventh inning.
Sophomore Caitlin Benyi ““ the team’s leading home
run hitter ““ said the team’s approach has been good for
most of the game.
“There’s nothing else you can ask from a team that
puts the ball in play,” Benyi said. “It’s just a
matter of getting timely hits.”
While lately the Bruins’ struggles have been on offense,
the pitching has been improving week by week after some struggles
early in the season.
Over the last four games, UCLA pitchers have only surrendered
two runs, and senior pitcher Keira Goerl was named National Player
of the Week.
Having already faced Washington, this week will be the busiest
of conference play for the Bruins, but first baseman Claire Sua
said fatigue will not be a factor.
“If anything, it’s going to keep us really sharp for
our weekend games,” Sua said.