NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Amanda Freed
pitches during a softball game earlier this season.
By Vytas Mazeika
Daily Bruin Reporter
Multitasking is not a term usually associated to softball, but
as the Pac-10 season comes to an end this weekend in Arizona for
the No. 2 Bruins, multitasking will be prominent.
UCLA (53-4, 14-4 Pac-10) has a couple of players capable of
producing at the plate and in the pitcher’s circle, although
junior ace Amanda Freed is currently limited to center field until
an injury to her right forearm properly heals. Senior Courtney Dale
is 6-0 with a 0.89 ERA this season, but she’s also
contributing with a .297 average, two home runs and 18 RBIs as a
designated player and part-time right fielder.
Needless to say, being a pitcher has affected Dale’s
approach at the plate.
“I like to pick up a spin,” Dale said. “I want
to be able to be patient enough to pick up the spin on the ball.
But of course, (as a pitcher) you’re probably thinking a
little more than everybody else. It’s just a
habit.”
In today’s game against top-ranked Arizona (51-4, 13-2) at
Hillenbrand Stadium, junior Wildcat Jenny Finch will bring her
perfect 23-0 record and 0.24 ERA in the circle, plus her .323
average, 11 home runs and 48 RBIs. Freshman Wildcat Jenny Gladding
could also be called to contribute with either her pitching or
hitting, as she’s 12-2 with a 0.89 in the circle and sports a
.354 average with nine home runs and 15 RBIs.
Dale probably won’t be needed to pitch until
Saturday’s doubleheader at Arizona State (34-17, 9-9). UCLA
freshman hurler Keira Goerl, who only pitches and has compiled a
24-1 record with a 0.98 ERA, will be the one counted on to face
that raucous Wildcat crowd.
During Goerl’s recruiting trip to Arizona, people pointed
out to her where some fans hung out to watch the games ““ on
top of the frat houses. But Goerl is not concerned with the
atmosphere. In fact, she’s relishing a chance to pitch in
front of a crowd of more than 3,000.
“Arizona is supposed to be the meanest of the all the
crowds that we’ll see,” Goerl said. “But when
I’m throwing, I’m not paying attention to anyone else.
I get to be in my zone.”
Saturday’s doubleheader against the ninth-ranked Sun
Devils will mark the end of the regular season for the Bruins. UCLA
will find out on Sunday their status in the NCAA Regionals.
Arizona State will bring a pair of multitasking players in
juniors Erica Beach and Kirsten Voak. Beach leads the team with a
16-8 record and 1.31 ERA in the circle, and at the plate,
she’s hitting at a .314 clip with a team-leading seven home
runs. She is also second on the team with 32 RBIs.
Voak leads the Sun Devils with 144 strikeouts in 121 1/3 innings
of work. She has a 14-7 record and 1.50 ERA. As a hitter, Voak is
right at the Mendoza Line (.200) and has chipped in with two home
runs and 13 RBIs.