Monday, 4/7/97
UCLA struggles to overcome injuries
Pitchers’ war key to doubleheader split against Mustangs
By Melissa Anderson
Daily Bruin Staff
With two key offensive contributors sitting out due to injury,
the UCLA softball team limped into Sunday’s non-conference
doubleheader at Cal Poly San Luis Obisbo (31-7), and came out with
a 0-1, 8-0 spilt.
The opener was truly a battle of pitching wills, with Mustang
Desarie Knipfer barely edging out UCLA senior B’Ann Burns for the
1-0 victory.
While Burns gave up just four hits in six innings, three were
issued to Cal Poly clean-up hitter Anna Bauer, whose 19th RBI of
the season proved the spoiler for UCLA.
In an otherwise near-perfect outing, Burns allowed the run in
the bottom of the second. And unlike so many times this season, the
Bruin offense had no answer. It was only the third time all season
the Bruins were shut out.
That could be because both Julie Adams and Christie Ambrosi were
sidelined because of injuries. Or it could be because the Bruins
had two players in the starting line-up who have started just six
games this season combined.
But whatever the reason, UCLA (29-7) did not take the loss
sitting down.
Any answers they lacked in the opener must have been
contemplated between games, because the Bruins came back with a
vengeance, thanks in large part to freshman Courtney Dale – who
literally beat the Mustangs all by herself.
On the mound, Dale shut out Cal Poly, silencing Bauer and
scattering just two hits over seven innings, striking out
eight.
Batting second in the UCLA line-up as the Bruins’ designated
player, Dale was also 3-for-4 at the plate with a double, an RBI,
and two runs scored.
With third baseman Adams and shortstop Ambrosi out, UCLA was
forced to move several players to different positions. Sophomore
Lesley Feldman started her third and fourth games of the season in
right field, while Karen Hoshizaki – who served as the designated
player in the opener- was a new face in left field in the
nightcap.
Johnna Mike took over the catching duties, while freshman Stacey
Nuveman moved from behind the plate to third base.
Such a barrage of line-up changes no doubt added to the
offensive difficulties encountered by UCLA, which tackles Pac-10
foe California later this week.
The adjustments made in the second game, however, are a positive
sign for the Bruins, who may have to face the Bears without Adams
and Ambrosi.Cal Poly SLO 1-0,
UCLA 0-8