UCLA 6 Fullerton 0 UCLA 18
Fullerton 3
By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Contributor
The double-header was meant to be a glorious inauguration of Cal
State Fullerton’s brand new softball park. Instead the
top-ranked Bruins had other plans and took some of the joy away
with a pair of lopsided victories Wednesday night.
In what turned out to be a long, cold night in front of 1,256
fans, UCLA (7-0) erupted with 24 runs en route to a sweep.
“They had a real good eye tonight and were being
aggressive early in the count,” Bruin head coach Sue Enquist
said. “I think it’s important for our club to have that
mindset. It was just a good night. I’m proud of the way the
team played.”
Although UCLA performed well in all facets of the game, offense
often stole the show.
The first game was tense early on as the Bruins held onto a 1-0
lead until sophomore shortstop Natasha Watley and senior designated
player Courtney Dale each connected on two-run doubles to extend
the lead to 5-0. Junior ace Amanda Freed (3-0) did the rest,
pitching a five-hit shutout.
The second game was when the fun really began for the Bruins, as
the Titans (5-3) were overwhelmed 18-3.
Junior catcher/infielder Stacey Nuveman capped a three-run first
inning with her second home run of the season, a screaming line
drive to left field that never got over 20 feet off the ground.
In the next two innings, the struggles continued for Titan
sophomore pitcher Jodie Cox. UCLA rallied for six runs in the top
of the second and four more in the third. Cox surrendered 12 hits
and seven walks in four innings of work as all of the UCLA hitters
did a great job of mixing patience with execution.
For good measure, the Bruins tagged on another five runs in the
top of the fourth, including Nuveman’s second home run of the
game, a three-run blast to right field that gave her six runs
batted in for the night.
“It was awesome,” Nuveman said. “From start to
finish we hit the ball all over the place. We never really gave
them a chance to breathe and kept their pitchers
working.”
It was a night to remember and build on. Every time Fullerton
attempted to break UCLA’s rhythm, the Bruins regained
momentum.
“Tonight showed that they’re capable of being mature
and disciplined,” Enquist said. “Because I know a lot
of clubs that would score six runs in the first game and not show
up for the second game and lose 1-0.”