UCLA
South Carolina
Sixth-Ranked Softball Takes Two on Day One in Vegas
February 15, 2008 | Softball
Feb. 15, 2008
UCLA-Missouri Box Score
UCLA-South Carolina Box Score
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Senior Ashley Herrera went 7-for-9 with four runs scored and two stolen bases in Friday's two games, as the sixth-ranked Bruins opened up play at the UNLV Louisville Slugger Desert Classic with a 4-0 win over #22 Missouri and a 6-2 victory against South Carolina.
For the fifth time in six games, the Bruins (5-1), playing as the designated home team, scored in the first inning against Missouri (3-3). Herrera reached on an error by second baseman Andee Allen to lead off the frame and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior Amanda Kamekona. Senior Krista Colburn followed with a double down the left-field line to plate Herrera and put UCLA up 1-0.
In the third, the Bruins rallied with two outs to score a pair. Freshman Samantha Camuso reached on a fielder's choice and freshman GiOnna DiSalvatore got on base on an error by shortstop Lindsey Ubrun. Junior Jennifer Schroeder followed with a single to center to plate Camuso to put UCLA up 2-0. Sophomore Julie Burney then singled through the left side to score DiSalvatore and make it 3-0.
In the fourth, the Bruins went up 4-0. Herrera singled to lead off, stole second and moved to third on a groundout. Colburn then hit a fly ball to left field, but the ball tipped off Julie Silver's glove, allowing Herrera to come home.
Freshman Donna Kerr was dominant in the circle to improve to 3-0 on the season, throwing a complete-game, three-hitter with eight strikeouts. Missouri's lone threat came in the top of the first, but with the bases loaded, Kerr struck out Gina Schneider looking, her third punchout of the inning.
Colburn went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Burney and DiSalvatore also had hits.
Stacy Delaney allowed four unearned runs, seven hits and two walks with one strikeout for Missouri.
The Bruins (6-1) continued their streak of scoring in the first inning against South Carolina (2-5). Playing as the visiting team, freshman Katie Schroeder and Herrera started the game with a walk and a single and Colburn moved both runners over on a sacrifice bunt. Sophomore Megan Langenfeld then crushed her second home run of the season over the right-field wall to stake UCLA to a 3-0 lead.
The Gamecocks cut into the deficit with a run in the bottom half of the first. With two outs, Laura Mendes walked, Jessica Josker reached on an error and Jill Semento singled in Mendes to make it 3-1.
The Bruins got that run back in the top of the second. With two outs and two on, Herrera slapped a single to third and when first baseman Chrissy Schoonmaker dropped the throw, freshman Monica Harrison came in to score to make it 4-1.
UCLA added another run in the fifth. Langenfeld led off with a single and was pinch-run for by freshman Lauren Mirabal. After a single by Camuso moved Mirabal to third, DiSalvatore singled to left to plate Mirabal and put the Bruins ahead 5-1.
The Gamecocks rallied with two outs in the bottom of the fifth when Ashton Payne tripled and scored on a wild pitch. But the Bruins got the lead back to four in the top of the sixth. With one out, Herrera singled and stole second. After a walk to Colburn and a groundout that moved both runners over, Camuso reached on an error by shortstop Lindsay Walker, allowing Herrera to score to make it 6-2.
Senior Anjelica Selden improved to 2-1 on the year, going the distance and allowing only four hits, a walk and two runs (one earned) with seven strikeouts.
Herrera had a career-high four hits, Harrison went 3-for-4 and Langenfeld and Katie Schroeder were each 2-for-4.
Melissa Hendon went the first four innings for South Carolina, giving up five runs (four earned), 11 hits and a walk. Kate Pouliot tossed the final three innings, allowing one unearned run and three hits with four strikeouts. Walker went 2-for-3 at the plate, posting half of the Gamecocks' hits.
The Bruins continue play in Las Vegas on Saturday night when they face Illinois (6 p.m.) and Portland State (8:15 p.m.). Times are approximate and may be pushed back depending on length of the earlier games on Saturday.
