Softball Notebook

Team has long meeting, practice after
losses

While most softball practices end between 4 and 4:30 p.m.,
Tuesday’s ended at 6:30 p.m.

It marked the previously No. 1 Bruins’ first practice
since they were swept by then No. 2 Arizona. When the polls were
released yesterday, the teams were switched. The Wildcats are now
No. 1, UCLA is now No. 2.

Bruin head coach Sue Enquist said the practice itself
wasn’t that long, but the team held a long meeting.

Among the things that were discussed, Enquist stressed the
importance of practicing and preparing for those top 1% of teams
that can beat them ““ not the other 99%.

“We’ve been working through every possible
situation,” senior shortstop Natasha Watley said. “We
haven’t prepared for a team like Arizona. We haven’t
practiced for that kind of team.”

Tuesday’s practice focused mainly on defense, probably due
to the team’s problems on defense against the Wildcats.

Defensive errors, physical and mental, contributed to all of
Arizona’s eight runs against the Bruins.

After practice, the team also met with a sports
psychologist.

Watley ties career Pac-10 stolen base
record

One of the few bright spots for the Bruins over the weekend was
Watley. With a stolen base on Saturday, she tied Arizona’s
Alison McCutcheon’s record of 148.

“It’s definitely a positive accolade,” Watley
said. “But it’s not what it’s all about. It
didn’t help us win.”

The record had stood since 1998.

Turner injured

Freshman pitcher Michelle Turner has been sidelined due to an
aggravated tibia.

“We’re just taking precautionary measures,”
Enquist said. “It’s not a huge concern knowing Keira
(Goerl) can pitch all three games.”

Goerl pitched all three games against the Arizona schools last
weekend. Turner hasn’t pitched since Mar. 29, a complete game
three-hit shutout against Cal.

“We’re going to be conservative with Turner’s
return,” Enquist said.

There is no known timetable for Turner’s comeback.

Three Bruins finalists for Player of the
Year

UCLA’s Goerl, Tairia Mims, and Watley were selected as
finalists for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award
on Wednesday.

The 25 finalists were selected by the Amateur Softball
Association.

UCLA catcher Stacey Nuveman won the award in 2002.

Around the Pac-10

Arizona swept the Pac-10 player and pitcher of the week
awards.

Freshman pitcher Alicia Hollowell won the Pac-10 Pitcher of the
Week award. She allowed only one run in three games against No. 3
Washington and No. 1 UCLA.

Sophomore Courtney Fossatti was named Pac-10 Player of the Week
for her 4-for-10 performance for the weekend against No. 3
Washington and then No. 1 UCLA.

Notes compiled by Gilbert Quiñonez, Daily Bruin Senior
Staff.