Freshmen trio a perfect fit for Bruin softball

Thursday, May 2, 1996

Newcomers adapt to new positions on field, add pop at plateBy
Brent Boyd

Daily Bruin Contributor

Julie Marshall, Christie Ambrosi and Julie Adams have many
similarities. They all possess "Ann" as their middle name, they
were all born within two months of one another, all three were
standout volleyball players in high school, and not one of them has
decided upon a major.

But the similarities don’t stop there. Marshall, Ambrosi and
Adams, are all freshmen that have earned starting positions on the
defending national champion UCLA softball team. Despite their
youth, the Bruins have soared to a 36-8 record and an No. 4
national ranking.

"Both Sharron Backus (co-head coach for the Bruins) and I
thought needing freshmen to contribute right away was a lot to
ask," co-head coach Sue Enquist said.

Replacing the senior class from a year ago that featured the
Honda Award Winner Jennifer Brundage, as well as Pacific 10
Conference honorees Jenny Brewster, Tanya Harding, and Kathi Evans
would prove to be quite a task. After all, the graduating class had
bombed 26 home runs and hit close to .400. But, the incoming
freshman have not disappointed.

The trio, led by Julie Adams’ .379 batting average, has hit
.346, slightly below the team average, on the top-ranked lineup in
the nation. Adams and Marshall rank second and third on the club in
home runs. In addition, Adams and Ambrosi rank in the top three in
runs scored, and Adams is threatening for the team lead with her 31
RBIs.

The scary thing is, they are just warming up.

"Day in and day out they give 100 percent, and if they continue
to put out their best effort, this will probably go down as one of
the strongest non-pitching classes we’ve ever had," Enquist
said.

Perhaps what is most impressive about this core of freshmen is
their ability to mix with the club right away.

"I look up to (the older players), and respect every single one
of them, but I am not scared to lead," Marshall said. "Fear has
never come into my head, I was brought up to be a leader, and I
really feel comfortable in my role."

Fear of leadership is one thing Marshall cannot afford to
possess, as she anchors the starting catching position.

"Marshall has the personality to lead, she knows the game and
calls great pitches," Enquist said. "She has shown the tools to be
a great catcher, and will soon be considered a great quarterback
behind the plate."

From the very beginning of the season, it was obvious that
Marshall would have no trouble adjusting to her new team. After
getting hits in her first six at-bats as a Bruin, she quickly
traded-in her platoon role for an everyday position, starting the
past 28 games. In that time, she has seen steady improvement. Since
March 23 she has seen her average jump 30 points to .330, and has
hit four home runs in the past 15 games, after hitting one in the
first three months.

"My work ethic and practice schedule has really helped me out,"
Marshall said. "Also, my timing is improving as I am getting
accustomed to the difference from high school to college, in that
there are a couple extra feet between the pitcher’s mound and home
plate."

Ambrosi and Adams made adjustments of a different kind. They
have both been thrown into positions they have never played in
their entire careers.

"Changing to third base was quite a change," said Adams, who
spent the majority of her life at shortstop. "Each game I get a
little more comfortable, but I don’t feel as though I’m at my
ultimate performance yet."

But, changing positions has not caused her abilities to decline.
She has made only three errors thus far into the season and, at the
plate, she is second on the club with eight home runs.

Perhaps making even a larger adjustment is Ambrosi. After
spending her entire career striking out hitters and fielding ground
balls as a pitcher and shortstop, she has had to track down fly
balls as the Bruin center fielder.

"I knew I had to earn a starting spot, I just didn’t know where
it was going to be," Ambrosi said. "It has been much tougher than I
expected, mainly because of the adjustment that I had to make."

Their accomplishments are outshone only by their ability to take
over a strange position.

"I always think it is a true test of one’s athleticism when they
change positions," Enquist said. "It is a true testimonial for them
to put the team first and not worry about where they are playing.
Both of them could be playing shortstop at most other schools in
the country, but the fact that they chose to attend UCLA shows that
they are true team players."

But, all three freshmen would have nothing else than attending
the school of their dreams, UCLA.

"The first game, I was really nervous," Adams said. "I couldn’t
believe I was actually putting on the uniform. It was at that point
that I realized the past 10 years of playing softball had paid
off."

As for Marshall, she grew up on Bethel Island in Northern
California, a place where she would have to cross the water to do
anything. As a result, she had never really had much hope of going
to college.

"But, the first letter I got was from UCLA and I was absolutely
stunned," Marshall said. "It was a dream come true."

Ambrosi moved all the way from her home in Kansas. Other than
the incomparable Bruin tradition, proximity to Hollywood was
important in her decision.

"It’s tough being so far away, it has been a huge adjustment,"
Ambrosi said. "However, I am always looking for movie stars.
Whenever I do see one, I freak out. The rest of the team thinks I’m
crazy."

The relationship between the younger and older players has been
smooth, untinged by envy or rivalry.

"There is really no class distinction on the team," Adams said.
"However, the older players have been real helpful. We were
welcomed with open arms, and they basically just showed us the
ropes."

The younger players are also able to turn to each other.
Marshall and Ambrosi are roommates, while Adams is also a close
friend.

"It does make it a lot easier that we are so close," Adams said.
"It’s easier turning to each other for support, which makes it a
lot less difficult to adjust to our new surroundings."

There is one accomplishment that the freshmen would especially
like to garner when they leave UCLA.

"Four national championships," Marshall said.

(From top to bottom) PATRICK LAM/ Daily Bruin, ANDREW
SCHOLER/Daily Bruin, ANDREW SCHOLER/Daily Bruin

Fantastic freshman trio: (From top) Third base Julie Adams hopes
to lead the Bruins with 31 RBIs. Christie Ambrosi catches rave
reviews in center field. Julie Marshall leads both on the field and
behind home plate.