Squad dominates field of top teams at UNLV Classic
By Daily Bruin Staff
Feb. 18, 2002 9:00 p.m.
UCLA 7 LSU 0
By Michael Sneag
Daily Bruin Contributor
Viva Las Vegas indeed!
The No. 2 UCLA softball team finished off a successful weekend
at the UNLV Classic by dispatching No. 4 LSU 7-0 on a cold and
windy afternoon, pushing their record to 14-0.
A 30-mph wind blowing in from center field cost the Bruins at
least two home runs, but the offense still managed to put seven
runs past All-American Britni Sneed.
The Bruins dominated all five of their games, including three
run-rule victories that were shortened to five innings. Senior
Amanda Freed picked up the win against LSU, and also against No. 12
Alabama (9-1) and No. 13 Nebraska (11-2). Sophomore Keira Goerl
picked up victories against BYU, a 10-2 win, and Texas Tech
(13-2).
“I am really pleased with our energy,” head coach
Sue Enquist said. “Every part of our game was involved
““ our offensive production, doing the little things right,
moving runners, good baserunning, solid defense, and even the
bench. When we play like this, we are going to be real tough to
beat.”
Throughout the tournament, both Freed and Goerl were dominant in
the pitching circle, keeping hitters off balance by effectively
mixing in change-ups with their power pitches.
Freed also led the Bruin offense, going 11-for-16 during the
weekend, scoring 10 runs and driving in seven while stealing three
bases.
“Hitting is very important to me,” Freed explained.
“It gives me something else to think about and it allows me
to contribute at all times. As a team, we feel really good
offensively right now.”
Not to be overshadowed by the great pitching, the offense proved
that it deserved just as much attention by scoring early and often,
hitting .428 as a team.
They scored 59 runs and hit eight home runs ““ four in the
win over Texas Tech ““ but the key was the production of the
entire lineup.
Throughout the tournament, opposing pitchers were constantly
under pressure and were never given a moment to relax.
One fan was even overheard calling the lineup
“Murderer’s Row,” in reference to the 1927
Yankees’ lineup.
“I’m not sure if we are “˜Murderer’s
Row,’ but we don’t have a weak bat in our
lineup,” said sophomore Claire Sua, who hits fifth in the
order. “I think that just makes the (opposing) pitchers work
harder, and makes our offense that much more effective.”
For as well as they played this weekend, dominating almost every
facet of the game, the Bruins still feel they have room for
improvement and that their upside is almost limitless.
“I think that we have made huge strides,” Enquist
said. “It takes discipline to show your talent and this team
understands that. I am proud of the progress that we have made as a
team.”
