UCLA
Santa Clara
No. 3 Bruins Overpower Santa Clara in Season Opener
June 21, 1999 | Softball
February 5, 1999
LOS ANGELES - In its first action of the 1999 season, the No. 3 UCLA softball team, primarily behind a three-home run performance from All-American Stacey Nuveman (La Verne, CA; St. Lucy's Priory HS) and a game-two no-hitter by pitcher Amanda Freed (Cypress, CA; Pacifica HS), powered past Santa Clara 14-1 and 3-0 Friday at UCLA's Easton Softball Stadium.
Nuveman, a first-team All-American as a freshman in 1997, finished the afternoon 4-for-5 with three home runs and five RBI. After walking in her first at bat of day, Nuveman sparked an eight-run second inning with her home run off Santa Clara pitcher Krista Berry. Following Nuveman, junior Julie Adams (Cypress, CA; Cypress HS) made it back-to-back homers, taking Berry deep to right on the very next at bat. Not to be outdone, sophomore pitcher Courtney Dale (Fresno, CA; Bullard HS) helped her own cause, knocking in a homer of her own, giving UCLA three consecutive home runs and an early 8-0 advantage.
With the Bruins up 12-0 heading into the top of the fourth inning, Santa Clara got on the scoreboard after a Kim Maynard double scored Jayne Whitney from second base. However, Nuveman added to UCLA's substantial lead once again, belting a two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth, this time off Bronco pitcher Deanna Rodriguez. With UCLA up 14-1, the game was called after five-and-a-half innings due to the eight-run rule. Dale, who gave up only four hits while striking out six in the process, earned the victory.
Similar to game one, UCLA jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in game two as junior Julie Marshall (Bethel Island, CA; Liberty HS), following a lead-off triple by Bruin center fielder Christie Ambrosi (Overland Park, KS; Blue Valley Northwest HS), belted a two run shot off Rodriguez in the bottom of the first inning. Nuveman, who already had two home runs on the afternoon, followed Marshall up with a home run of her own, giving her three on the day, helping UCLA to an early 3-0 advantage. It was all UCLA would need as, despite Nuveman's impressive afternoon, freshman pitcher Amanda Freed was UCLA's game- two hero, pitching a no-hitter in her collegiate debut. Freed, the 1998 National High School Player of the Year struck out four batters, giving up three walks, in seven complete innings of work. It was UCLA's first no-hitter since March 22, 1997. In addition, Freed finished the afternoon 3-for-7 at the plate, including two RBI and a double. Ambrosi, whose lead-off triple helped UCLA to its quick start, finished the day 4-for-6 with two RBI, three runs scored, including a double and a triple.
Also making their UCLA debuts today were junior transfer Lyndsey Klein (Roseville, CA; Sac City JC) and Erin Rahn (San Diego, CA; Mt. Carmel HS). Klein finished the afternoon 2-for-6 with a double and two runs scored, while Rahn, UCLA's game-two starter in right field, was 0-for-2.
With the two victories, UCLA moves to 2-0 on the season, while Santa Clara, seeing its first action of the season as well, falls to 0-2. Next up for UCLA will be the annual UCLA Alumnae Game this Sunday at Easton Stadium beginning at 2:30 p.m., prior to heading to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl Tournament, Feb. 12- 14 in Tempe, Ariz.
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