Thursday, 4/17/97 Bruins duel with Wildcats for World Series
seedings Pac-10 Player, Pitcher of the Week face off in critical
match-up
By Melissa Anderson Daily Bruin Staff Friday’s final regular
season meeting between UCLA and Arizona won’t be a showdown between
No. 1 and No. 2 as it has so many times before. But don’t think for
a minute that the No. 2 Wildcats or the No. 3 Bruins are not
looking at this match-up as pivotal. As the College World Series
approaches, both teams have seedings in the back of their minds. In
order to garner a top seed, you have to prove yourself against the
best of the NCAA. While both teams suffered losses to Fresno State
earlier this season, allowing the Bulldogs to grab the top ranking,
they are even in head-to-head competition this year, splitting a
doubleheader at Easton stadium in March. That makes Friday’s game
all the more important, as the Bruins will be looking to regain the
upper hand. Arizona’s Hillenbrand Stadium, however, has not been
friendly to UCLA of late. The Bruins have not won there since their
national championship season in 1995. And head coach Mike Candrea
and the Wildcats will be looking to keep that tradition alive.
"We’re excited," Arizona head coach Mike Candrea said. "It’s a
match-up a lot of people look forward to seeing. It’s nice to be at
home, but we just want to play well." Both teams have been playing
extremely well of late. While the ‘Cats racked up five road
victories last week, the Bruins swept California and split a tough
doubleheader on the road against No. 6 Washington. In addition, the
two squads boast the Pac-10 Player and Pitcher of the Week in
Arizona’s Alison Johnsen and UCLA’s Christa Williams, respectively.
For Williams, who notched wins over both the Bears and the Huskies,
it was the second time in three weeks the freshman Olympian has
received the honor and the fourth time this year it was awarded to
a Bruin. Williams has won her last 10 decisions, including a 5-1
win over Arizona. * * * In addition to Williams, two other Bruins
have secured their names atop the UCLA record books. With a
three-run home run in the second game against Washington, freshman
Stacey Nuveman tied the single season record with 14 – good enough
to tie Arizona’s Lefty Pineda for the top spot in the conference.
Nationally, Nuveman is tied with Pineda and UNLV’s Kim Rondina in
long balls, but because the NCAA ranks by home runs per game,
Nuveman is second at .35. Rondina is first at .37 while Pineda is
third at .33. Senior Alleah Poulson headed into Washington needing
just two RBIs to become the UCLA career leader. And with a double
in the fourth inning of the opener, the first baseman did just
that, knocking in the 151st and 152nd runs of her career.
All-American Jennifer Brundage previously held the record. * * *
Injury update: After missing the last six games due to a shoulder
injury, third baseman Julie Adams may be available to play Friday
against Arizona. Shortstop Christie Ambrosi, who played against Cal
with a broken hand but missed the Washington series due to a
sprained ankle, may also return to action against the ‘Cats. SHAWN
LAKSMI/Daily Bruin Christa Williams was repeatedly named Pac-10
pitcher of the week.