Jessica Hall leads Bruins to shutout win over Matadors
Senior pitcher Jessica Hall struck out 11 and allowed just one hit Tuesday as UCLA defeated Cal State Northridge 8-0 for its 15th shutout victory of the year.
(Nathan Vanderveer-Harris/Daily Bruin)
By Matt Joye
April 16, 2014 12:47 a.m.
UCLA senior pitcher Jessica Hall is well aware that her four-year career at UCLA is nearing its finale.
“I’m focusing on the opportunities that I’m given,” Hall said on Monday morning. “Just coming out and knowing that these are my last couple times to ever play softball, to ever play at home and in front of my family, so (I) just really (need to) take advantage of it.”
Hall made the most of her opportunity in a home game against Cal State Northridge on Tuesday afternoon. She struck out 11 batters in five innings, leading the No. 2 Bruins (36-4) to an 8-0 victory over the Matadors (26-19). The pitching victory for Hall adds another accolade to what has thus far been Hall’s best pitching season at UCLA.
Hall’s performance on Tuesday did more than add to her stat sheet – it also restored her confidence. Hall had one of her roughest starts of the season against Oregon ten days earlier, and had yet to pitch again until Tuesday’s game.
“That definitely boosts my confidence in the fact that I’m throwing to different batters,” Hall said. “It’s not even about the strikeouts to me, but I think that’s a combination of good pitch calling and just confidence in my defense.”
Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez has conditioned Hall for these comeback moments by presenting her with adverse situations during practice. One such situation was Inouye-Perez asking Hall to pitch against her UCLA teammates while using only her secondary pitches. Sometimes, the challenges are tougher.
“There’s times when I’ll even tighten the strike zone … and make her have to throw through the zone even though you know it’s not fun to do that,” Inouye-Perez said.
The four years of practice and game experience has made Hall a better player now than she ever has been. Hall gave up only one hit in Tuesday’s game, but she responded to that hint of adversity by striking out the next two batters to end the top of the second inning.
“The game has not been very easy for the program (or) for Jess. We haven’t been able to have as much outcome as we’d like,” Inouye-Perez said. “For her, she’s gotten better, she’s stronger. … She’s just more determined, just across the board.”
Hall’s model determination has left a mark on her teammates, who all played with a high level of resolve on Tuesday as well. The Bruins forced the Matadors into a forfeit after scoring six runs in the fifth inning to extend the UCLA’s lead to 8-0.
“We’re just trying not to take any teams lightly right now,” said sophomore catcher Brittany Moeai.
