Monday, May 11, 1998
Bruins smiling through their tears, taking a win while losing
seniors
SOFTBALL UCLA ends season splitting doubleheader against Sun
Devils, falling to Wildcats
By Kimberly Edds
Daily Bruin Contributor
It’s nice to go out with a win and that’s exactly what UCLA’s
softball team did. They beat No. 16 Arizona State 2-1 to finish out
the 1998 season yesterday on a high note, even if it had to be
while wiping away the tears after saying goodbye to three of their
most integral teammates.
Sunday was Senior Day and the Bruin team honored seniors first
baseman Kim Wuest, second baseman Laurie Fritz and third baseman
Nicole Odom as they played the last of their games wearing Bruin
uniforms.
"They’ll forever hold a special place in my heart," UCLA Head
Coach Sue Enquist said.
UCLA jumped out to a lead in game two against ASU when shortstop
Casey Hirawiwa scored on a single to center by rightfielder Lupe
Brambila. ASU would come back to tie the game on a bases-loaded
walk in the third.
Hirawiwa scored her second run of the game on a single to right
by Brambila in the sixth inning to make the score 2-1, which would
be the final result.
The Bruins lost a close one in the first game of the
doubleheader, dropping it to the Sun Devils 2-1. ASU pitcher
Roxanne Tsosie picked up the win to improve to 23-10 on the
year.
The Bruins finished the year 18-27 overall and 8-18 in
conference play. The win brings to close a tumultuous year which
felt the aftershocks of an NCAA probation, as six returners decided
to redshirt in order to compete next year when UCLA is eligible for
postseason play.
Despite winning game two of the doubleheader, the Bruins failed
to pick up either game against No. 1 Arizona Wildcats when they
faced them in a doubleheader on Saturday, losing 2-0 and 6-0.
Wildcat pitcher Nancy Evans tossed a no-hitter and gave up just two
walks in game one of the doubleheader to improve her record to
30-1.
UCLA pitcher Erin Weiler gave up two home runs in the first
inning and another in the third in game two against Arizona. The
Bruins had the bases loaded in the fifth with two outs, but they
couldn’t come up with a run when Wuest struck out to end the
inning.
The three seniors went out with style, with Kim Wuest
appropriately catching the last out of the season, a pop-up to
first.
"I loved being part of this team," Laurie Fritz said. "It was
nice to go out with a win."
Kristina Wilcox, Daily Bruin Staff, contributed to this
article.