Senior Keira Goerl was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week for her
performance in last weekend’s UNLV Classic. She went 3-0 over
the weekend, and did not give up an earned run in any of her
starts. It is the 10h time Goerl (5-0) has been named Pac-10
pitcher of the week during her career. “She’s making
improvements like everybody is, and she’s getting to the top
of her game,” senior center fielder Stephanie Ramos said.
“There’s no stopping Keira when you get her
going.” The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday, when
Goerl threw a no-hitter against Wisconsin. She walked one batter
while striking out nine Badgers in only five innings of work,
before the game was called because of softball’s mercy rule.
It was her first no-hitter of the season and the 10th of her
career. Goerl then threw a shutout against No. 8 Michigan, notching
four strikeouts while scattering seven hits. The only blemish came
against No. 9 Nebraska, when she gave up an unearned run. On the
weekend, Goerl racked up 20 strikeouts while holding opponents to a
.161 batting average.
PAC-10 IN THE POLLS: Pac-10 teams are
dominating in the latest ESPN/USA Softball Top 25 poll. All eight
schools competing in softball are currently ranked. UCLA (9-0)
maintained its position as the unanimous top-ranked team in the
nation, receiving all 20 first-place votes. Cal and Arizona, both
11-0 in pre-season play, have been ranked second and third all
season. Washington (10-1) is still in fifth. Its only loss was
against the Bruins in the Long Beach State Tournament. Stanford
(8-1) moved up from No. 10 to No. 8 in the latest poll after going
5-0 in the Stanford Invitational. Oregon State (12-4) jumped over
in-state rival Oregon to climb to No. 18. Oregon (5-4) is ranked
No. 21, and Arizona State (10-5) rounds out the conference at No.
22. “It’s just a real positive reflection of our
strength in the Pac-10,” UCLA coach Sue Enquist said. While
the rankings create expectations for preseason play, it is too
early to make predictions about what will happen in conference
play, she said.