Team ready for challenge of matchup against Washington
By Bob Costa
April 17, 2003 9:00 p.m.
It might seem odd to describe the No. 2 UCLA softball team
(34-5) as struggling.
But after dropping three of its past five games ““ two at
home to then-No. 2 Arizona two weekends ago and one to No. 20
Oregon in Eugene last weekend ““ struggling is what the Bruins
(6-3 Pac-10) are doing early in the conference season.
With No. 3 Washington (37-5-1, 6-3 Pac-10) in town this weekend
for a two-game series at Easton Stadium, players and coaches alike
stressed that these games were not any more important than the rest
of the conference slate.
“Every game in the Pac-10 is a big game,” shortstop
Natasha Watley said. “On any given day, any team can
fall.”
“I look forward to this weekend as another opportunity to
get better. The Bruins get to face a competitive team; I look
forward to that challenge,” head coach Sue Enquist said.
Players are hoping this weekend’s matchup is a return to
the form that brought about a 22-game winning streak in
non-conference play and to regain the home-field advantage that
used to be a trademark of Easton Stadium.
“We’re all just looking forward to playing games and
seeing how we do against other teams. I think we are ready to meet
the challenge against Washington,” designated player Claire
Sua said.
“You never want to lose at home,” first baseman
Tairia Mims added. “(The losses to Arizona) were a little bit
disappointing. Coming out here showing them that this is our field
and trying to send that message is what we are going to try and
do.”
In order to send any kind of a message, UCLA pitcher Keira Goerl
must slow down the Huskies’ powerful offense, led by
designated player Kristen Rivera. She leads the Huskies with a .383
batting average, 17 home runs and 51 RBI. Washington’s top
pitcher, Tia Bollinger has a miniscule 1.18 ERA.
“Washington has everything,” Enquist said.
“They have a solid pitcher in Bollinger who does a great job
of hitting her spots. They’re an excellent hitting team, they
have hitters who can hit for power. They get it done.”
