UCLA can’t tame game vs. Huskies

By Greg Lewis

Daily Bruin Senior Staff

With control problems by UCLA pitcher Stephanie Swenson evident
from the beginning, it figured to be a long day for the Bruin
softball team.

Swenson hit Huskie leadoff hitter Rosie Leutzinger on the first
pitch of the game. Following two wild pitches, four walks and three
hit batters in the first two innings, the No. 3 Bruins (36-11, 11-7
Pac-10) were down 4-0.

When it was over, UCLA fell 4-1 to top-ranked Washington (55-6
overall, 15-3 Pac-10).

Both runs of the second inning came after Huskies Kim DePaul and
Jennifer Spediacci were hit with the bases loaded. At that point,
Washington had four runs on only one hit.

Swenson settled down, though, allowing only an infield single
after the third inning.

“I was nervous before the game. I wasn’t really sure
if I was going to pitch,” said the previously undefeated
Swenson. “Once the butterflies went away, I really got going
… I have to prepare myself better mentally for next
time.”

This was Swenson’s (10-1) first start this year against
such a tough team.

According to UCLA head coach Sue Enquist, Swenson earned the
start after pitching extremely well last weekend against No. 2
Arizona.

“After the first two innings Stephanie Swenson pitched
beautifully,” Enquist said. “Anytime you hold the
University of Washington to two hits, you know you’re doing a
good job.”

Washington pitcher Jamie Graves (24-3) played the Bruins like
fiddles all day, working the outside of the plate to

perfection.

After a single by UCLA’s Amanda Freed in the first inning,
Graves retired 17 straight Bruins before walking Lupe Brambila with
one out in the sixth.

The Bruins, however, were even less effective in the field than
at the plate,

bobbling their way to five errors.

“This team has the dubious distinction of being the first
team in a while to (commit five errors in one game). I can’t
remember a team in the past decade that has done that,”
Enquist said.

The Bruins finally managed to put a run across the plate when
Lyndsey Klein doubled off the wall to right. Courtney Dale
immediately blooped a single over first baseman Mo Downs’
head, bringing home Klein.

Despite the run, the Bruins never adjusted to the outside
pitches. Graves struck out Tairia Mims and Toria Auelua, her ninth
and 10th of the afternoon, to end the game.

After the game, Enquist said she was unhappy with the
team’s performance.

“I’m looking for leadership. I’m disappointed
the way this team plays to the scoreboard. I want somebody to say
“˜so what’ after we are down by two runs. They look up
and see a mountain. Nobody’s stepped up, and I’m
calling them out,” Enquist said.

This game ended any Bruin hope for a second consecutive Pac-10
championship. Washington should sew up that distinction this
weekend at home against the Oregon schools. UCLA will finish in
third behind Arizona.

“¢bull; “¢bull; “¢bull;

UCLA senior swimmer Keiko Price threw out the honorary first
pitch on Wednesday, a strike to Auelua.

Price finished her Bruin career a 22″“time
All”“American. She holds five school records and was also a
first team Academic All-Pac-10 member three times.