Friday, 5/23/97 Mixed results in Oklahoma SOFTBALL: Spectacular
pitching, defensive play characterize Bruin win
By Tim Yun Daily Bruin Contributor OKLAHOMA CITY — In their
first game here since winning the national championship in 1995,
the fifth-seeded UCLA softball team started the 1997 women’s
College World Series (CWS) with a hard fought 2-0 victory over
fourth-seeded Fresno State. The opening game of this year’s
postseason was a grueling, eight-inning pitching duel between
Bulldog (52-13) starter Amanda Scott and Bruin (46-12) freshman
Christa Williams. Like two heavyweights slugging it out in the
ring, neither pitcher would budge, both holding the opposition
scoreless over seven innings. The combination of solid pitching and
spectacular plays on defense silenced the bats of both teams.
Although Williams was making her first CWS start, the 1996 Olympian
had the poise of a proven veteran as she calmly retired the first
15 batters she faced. Through seven innings of scoreless work, she
limited the Bulldogs to two hits and did not allow a runner past
second base. "I was focused and relaxed," Williams said, "I knew
what I had to do and I just went out and did it." For Fresno State,
Scott was equally impressive. Although the Bruins jumped on her
early for two hits in the first inning, she again gained confidence
as the game progressed. At one point, she forced the Bruins to
ground out in 12 consecutive at-bats. "Amanda Scott is a bona fide
pitcher," UCLA head coach Sue Enquist said. "Many times, she will
make you hit it where she wants you to hit it. That’s a direct
compliment to her." Both of the Bruins’ runs were scored in the top
half of the eighth inning. Designated hitter Kim Wuest started the
inning by drawing a leadoff walk from Scott. Center fielder
Christie Ambrosi promptly followed the free pass with a base hit to
center field, advancing Wuest to second. This set the stage for the
heroics of first baseman Alleah Poulson. With two outs and a 1-2
count, the senior drove Scott’s pitch into center field, allowing
both Ambrosi and Wuest to score. Williams held the Bulldogs
scoreless in the bottom half of the eighth to notch her 18th
victory of the season. Enquist was pleased with the team’s
composure and poise in such a pressure situation. "I think that
teams who do consistently well don’t get caught up in the
individual success or failure that they have," Enquist said. "They
just keep plugging away and that’s what we did today." With the
victory over the Bulldogs, UCLA will move on to face top-ranked
Arizona in a battle of softball powerhouses. Arizona (58-4) stays
in the winner’s bracket by virtue of its extra-inning victory over
Massachusetts. The Bruins and the Wildcats have traditionally
dominated the softball scene. The two schools have combined to win
every national title since 1987. While there is no question the
rivalry is a heated one, both coaches downplay its importance and
stress the loftier goal of winning the national title. "It’s not
the championship game," Enquist said. "It’s just another step to
get there. Sure there is rivalry there, but it’s just really the
next step." UCLA is 1-3 against the Wildcats this season, splitting
a doubleheader at home in March before being swept in Tucson. UCLA
Sports Info Bruin pitcher Christa Williams Related Links: NCAA