Thursday, February 19, 1998
Probation will keep UCLA from all post-season play
By Rocky Salmon
Daily Bruin Senior Staff
A shadow looms large over Easton Stadium this year. A large,
dark gloom which dampens every win the softball team musters this
year hangs in the sky above.
Last year the only shadows on the softball diamond were from the
players laughing and getting ready for the NCAA Tournament.
With a No. 5 ranking going into the Regionals, the Bruins were
gunning for their eighth national title. Owning a 21-7 conference
record and pitching powerhouses Christa Williams and B’Ann Burns,
UCLA was ready for the ‘Big Dance’.
But then lightning struck.
The softball program had skeletons in the closets which were
unearthed once more and UCLA felt the wrath of the NCAA Committee.
On the verge of another World Series run, the Bruins were suspended
from the post-season and put on probation for the 97-98 year.
In 93-94 and 94-95, the softball program awarded more
scholarships than they were allotted. In 96-97 the skeletons came
back out to destroy the hopes and dreams of the Bruin softball
team.
In May, the devastating news hit the squad as they prepared for
their final games before the Regionals.
"We were about to go to the World Series," Laurie Fritz, second
basemen, said, "and they told us ‘you guys cant go’ … we were
working four to five hours a day then doing weights … It didn’t
seem fair."
Immediately, the high rays of happiness on Easton were dampened
by the stormy truth. Heading into their final games against Arizona
State before the seedings, UCLA said they wouldn’t appeal. But they
did.
The appeal allowed UCLA to be seeded and the NCAA granted the
Bruins the chance to play in the post season but it would cost them
this year.
"The probation was not the issue it was the post season,"
assistant coach Kelly Inouye-Perez said. "It was disappointing
because it affected the seniors last year … Now it affects the
current seniors who just want to play and finish up strong."
Not only are the Bruins on probation, but many outstanding
players have red-shirted or transferred. The biggest loss to the
club may have been freshman phenom, Christa Williams, who blew away
opponents on the pitching mound. Williams transferred to the
University of Texas, taking with her a 21-8 record and 218
strikeouts.
Another integral part of the Bruin pitching staff who was
affected by the probation is Courtney Dale, who is red-shirting
this year. Dale was 7-1 in 17 appearances, but more importantly
batted .330, giving the Bruins an instant spark in the line-up.
Redshirting with Dale are National Team members Julie Adams,
Christie Ambrosi and Stacey Nuveman.
The probation depleted the team of perennial all-stars and an
unstoppable pitching staff. With a crop of freshmen and transfers,
the four seniors will have to step up and melt away all those
shadows away that are haunting Easton.