Burns takes diminished postseason role with aplomb

Tuesday, 5/27/97 Burns takes diminished postseason role with
aplomb SOFTBALL: Senior dominated in regular season but gives way
to Williams at College World Series

By Tim Yun Daily Bruin Contributor OKLAHOMA CITY — As senior
pitcher B’Ann Burns sat in the dugout and watched the Bruins come
ever so close to winning their seventh national title, one can only
wonder about the thoughts that were going through her head. A force
to be reckoned with in the regular season, Burns figured to play a
major role in UCLA’s postseason plans. However, as the College
World Series progressed in Oklahoma City, it became obvious that
would not be the case. As the ace of the staff, the 6-foot-1-inch
senior from Phoenix amassed incredible numbers during the regular
season – a 22-5 record, 1.39 ERA and an opponent batting average of
.217. What made the numbers more impressive were that they were
earned in the Pac-10, the most competitive conference in the
nation. Regular-season action pitted Burns against national powers
Washington and Arizona as well as nonleague opponents such as
Fresno State and Long Beach State. Facing elimination two weekends
ago after the Bruins lost their first game of the regional
playoffs, Burns shined. She was able to win three consecutive
must-win games to help UCLA earn a berth in the World Series. This
weekend in Oklahoma City, the senior had a chance to end her career
at UCLA by helping the club win a national championship. It would
be a fitting end to her incredible career at UCLA. Little did she
know that her win over Southwest Louisiana in the regional finals
would be the last meaningful appearance of her Bruin career. UCLA
head coach Sue Enquist would call upon freshman sensation Christa
Williams to pitch virtually the entire World Series and vault the
Bruins into contention for the national title. Williams pitched all
but 2 2/3 innings of the Bruins’ six-game stint in Oklahoma City.
"I have a lot of confidence on both B’Ann and Christa, but I feel
that for the particular style of play that we are up against,
Christa is better suited to pitch for us," Enquist said. Despite
diminishing playing time, Burns remained the consummate team
player. Not only did she provide solid senior leadership on this
relatively young team, but she gave valuable moral support for her
teammates. "I just want to win as bad as everybody else," Burns
said, "And I just want to do anything to help our team win. I have
to stay positive and cheer for the team." Even though she realizes
that she must remain positive in this situation, she admits that it
is very difficult. "Everyone knows that it is hard, being in this
type of situation, but this is what I have to do now and my team
needs me to support them." Burns said. "Sometimes, I do question
Coach Enquist’s moves and I think that that is a natural reaction.
Everyone on the team knows that they are good enough to be out
there, but not everyone can play, and I trust the coach’s gut
feeling." Although the team did not succeed in its ultimate goal of
winning the national title, Burns feels as though she has done her
best and contributed to a great team and a great season. "I do feel
disappointed, but I realize that I have done great things this year
and I look forward to what the future has in store for me." Burns
said. CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin

Head coach Sue Enquist(right) limited pitcher B’Ann Burns (left)
to only three innings of College World Series play.