Tuesday, April 28, 1998
Bruins must shape up to muzzle powerful Huskies
SOFTBALL: Team can’t afford to continue losing half of all
doubleheaders
By Kimberly Edds
Daily Bruin Contributor
Will the momentum of a 1-0 win over the Stanford Cardinal Sunday
be enough to carry the UCLA softball team to victory over the
Washington Huskies?
Maybe, maybe not.
In keeping with tradition, the Bruins failed to win the first
game of either doubleheader when they faced California (29-19, 7-8)
on Saturday and the Cardinal ( 33-13, 11-8 Pac-10) on Sunday.
UCLA dropped both games to Cal (8-1, 6-0) and lost a close one
to Stanford, 3-2.
Bruin home-run queen Kim Wuest was held 2-for-6 without a home
run over the weekend. Wuest’s batting average, which dropped to
.382 over the weekend, still leads the team.
The Bruins will have a chance for revenge against the No. 3
Huskies (38-9, 13-5 Pac-10) today at 1:00 p.m. at Easton Stadium.
UCLA last faced Washington on April 11 at Washington.
UCLA lost both of those games, 9-1 and 2-1.
The Huskies have built an extremely successful program in only
five years of existence, placing second nationally in 1996, and had
an appearance in the College World Series Final Four last year.
This year’s Husky team has proven to be even more competitive.
UCLA will have to deal with superb Husky pitching if they want to
be successful.
The Husky pitching staff is led by returners senior Eve Gaw, and
sophomores Jamie Graves and Jen Spediacci. This talented trio
limited Cal to no runs on six hits as the Huskies swept two games
from Cal on Sunday, 3-0 and 2-0.
Washington also boasts a talented infield, anchored by
All-American first baseman Becky Newbry. Newbry committed just six
errors in 449 attempts. Newbry is also an offensive threat.
The Bruins will have to rely on hitting to jump ahead of the
Huskies. Wuest and UCLA shortstop Nicole Odom will have to step up
to get the job done for the Bruins.
Utility player Casey Hirawiwa will also play a big role at the
plate and in the field if the Bruins are to make the Huskies bow
down.