UCLA
Wisconsin
Softball Downs Wisconsin 12-1 at Texas Invitational
February 23, 2001 | Softball
Feb. 23, 2001
AUSTIN, TX - The top-ranked UCLA softball team defeated Wisconsin 12-1 in five innings in the opening game of the Texas Invitational on Friday afternoon in Austin, TX. With the win, the Bruins improve to 16-0 on the season, while Wisconsin falls to 5-6.
Senior Courtney Dale started in the circle for UCLA, her first pitching start since off-season shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum in her right (pitching) shoulder. The Badgers scored in the top of the first inning on a single by Jade Gosse, followed by a sacrifice bunt and RBI single by Meghan Reiss. After allowing three hits in the top of the first, Dale held the Badgers hitless for their remaining four times at bat.
UCLA countered in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs, with two coming on a home run by junior catcher Stacey Nuveman, her fifth home run of the season and 56th of her career. Nuveman needs just one more home run to tie Akron's Kelli Metzger (57 HR, 1996-99) for fourth place on the NCAA's all-time list.
Freshman outfielder Stephanie Ramos led off the second inning with her first career home run, a shot over the left-field fence. UCLA added two more runs in the third inning, then came up with six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The fourth started with a single to left by Amanda Freed, the first of seven Bruin hits in the inning. UCLA closed their scoring with five consecutive singles from Dale, freshman Claire Sua, Ramos, second baseman Crissy Buck and third baseman Toria Auelua.
The Bruins are scheduled to play a second game on Friday, against No. 11 Cal State Fullerton. The game started at 3:07 pm Central Time, and plate umpire Louie Alvarez called a rain delay at 3:20 pm CT. Game status will be updated on www.uclabruins.com.
