Softball: Softball coach blames self for recent play

Coming off a week in which the Bruins dropped their first two
games of the season, including a letdown against Syracuse, UCLA
softball coach Sue Enquist put part of the blame on herself.

“There will not be another Syracuse,” said Enquist,
referring to the team’s 2-1 loss on Sunday.

“Starting with myself, I failed in preparing them better.
I look at myself with as much anger and frustration because it
starts at the top. If a team is not prepared emotionally,
that’s my fault. There’s just no excuse.”

Despite the loss early in the season to Syracuse,
Enquist’s faith in her team has not wavered.

“I buy into this team,” she said. “This team
is not complacent. They’re inspired with the potential they
have. I believe in this team.”

That potential was once again on full display with the
outstanding performances of freshmen Anjelica Selden and Krista
Colburn.

Selden continued her dominance of opposing batters as she has
won four consecutive starts, lowering her ERA to a miniscule 0.21.
Selden has struck out, on average, every other batter she’s
faced.

“What’s exciting about her is that she’s not
afraid to stretch her game,” Enquist said. “Her
ascension to being one of the greatest in the game is really on
track because she’s not afraid. She has a wonderful take on
the game and her place in it. That’s the greatest compliment
I can give a pitcher.”

The play of Colburn also gives Enquist every reason to be
optimistic. Colburn leads the Bruins with a .517 batting average
and a .533 on base percentage.

Enquist, however, is not surprised with Colburn’s
production.

“This was an athlete that has the mentality to work until
the lights turn off,” Enquist said. “She’s going
to come early, stay late and she’s going to do whatever it
takes.”

Aside from the stellar play of the freshmen, the Bruins also
received a lift with the return of second baseman Caitlin Benyi
after bone spurs in her ankle forced her to miss the first five
games of the season. The addition of Benyi to the lineup should
provide UCLA with an added offensive punch and an extra dose of
experience, as the junior was a key component of the Bruins’
back-to-back championships.

“The pain is manageable and Caitlin is one of the toughest
kids I know,” said Enquist.

The Bruins are now 7-2 in their campaign for their third
straight NCAA Division I championship. Next up on the schedule is
the Campbell/Cartier tournament in San Diego, where the Bruins will
face 10th-ranked Georgia for the fourth time this season.

While before the season began it appeared that UCLA
wouldn’t be seriously challenged in the early portion of its
schedule, after the loss to Syracuse, Enquist and her team
aren’t taking anyone lightly.

“I believe our next test is going to be our next
game,” Enquist said. “When you fall short to Syracuse,
everyone’s going to be tough.”