University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
1998 Season Outlook
LOS ANGELES- Just six months after reaching the title game of the 1997 College World Series, the UCLA softball team is preparing for one of its toughest seasons of competition yet.
Last season marked the 11th time in school history that a UCLA team has made it to the NCAA final game, winning it all on seven occasions. In addition, the Bruins won the AIAW National Title in 1978 for a total of eight national championships. This year, however, UCLA is not eligible for postseason play and will assume the role of spoiler in the very competitive Pac-10 Conference.
Leading the Bruins again in '98 is head coach Sue Enquist, who enters her second season solely at the helm of the nations winningest softball program. Prior to last season, Enquist shared the role with co-head coach Sharron Backus, who decided to step down prior to the '97 campaign. During her nine years in the head coaching position at UCLA, Enquist has compiled an impressive 452-70 (.876) overall record, while claiming three NCAA and four Pac-10 championship crowns.
The Bruins lose six players from last seasons 49-14 No. 2-ranked squad. Among the key losses are three-time All-American first baseman Alleah Poulson and two-time All-American pitcher B'Ann Burns. UCLA's all-time leader in career victories with 96, Burns finished last season with a remarkable 21-5 overall record and a 1.39 ERA. She owns an overall collegiate record of 96-23. Poulson, who left Westwood as UCLA's all-time career RBI leader with 165, ranks fourth all-time in career hits (250) and batting average (.377). Also missing in '98 will be 1997 third-team All-American freshman Christa Williams, who opted to transfer to the University of Texas. Other losses to graduation include outfielder Nicole Ochoa, who hit .291 last season with 43 hits and 28 RBI, Johnna Mike (.235) and Nikki Barbieri, who ranked third on the squad in stolen bases last season.
Since the Bruins will not be eligible to participate in this year's postseason, several members of this year's squad will redshirt the '98 season. Among those deciding to take a redshirt year include a pair of 1997 All-Americans in first-teamer Stacey Nuveman and third-teamer Christie Ambrosi, along with All-Pac-10 performers Julie Marshall, Courtney Dale and Julie Adams (medical). Incoming freshman Crissy Buck will also be reshirting in '98. All of these players will be ready to take the field in '99, when UCLA is again eligible for postseason competition.
The top returner from last years second-place Pac-10 squad is second-team All-Pac-10 performer and second baseman Laurie Fritz. The most experienced player on this season's young but talented team, Fritz will be looked upon to fill the leadership role vacated by the loss of Poulson and Burns. After hitting safely in 39 contests, including 14 straight last season, Fritz finished '97 batting .324 with 59 hits and 16 RBI. Her play also proved solid on defense as she finished with a .947 fielding percentage at one of the busiest infield positions.
The Bruins will also get an added boost this season as senior shortstop Nicole Odom returns to the diamond after sitting out last season while recovering from a shoulder injury suffered in '96. A second-team All-Pac-10 performer that season, Odom turned in a solid '96 as she hit an impressive .331 with 31 hits and 30 RBI. Her three-year career totals include a .346 batting average, 162 hits, 93 RBI and 11 home runs. She will join Fritz in filling UCLA's much needed leadership role. Kim Wuest at first base and Karen Hoshizaki in the outfield are two other seniors that add experience to this young Bruin squad. Wuest will provide much of UCLA's power this season and is fresh off a successful summer, which included a bronze medal with the West Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival. Hoshizaki enters '97 as one of the fastest players on the team and joins Fritz to lead UCLA's slap-hitting corps.
Also bringing experience to this year's team are juniors Danielle Martin and Lesley Feldman, two players on last season's second-place NCAA squad. The junior class will also be complemented with the addition of two transfers that have both the experience and ability to come in and make an immediate impact this season. Carissa Millsap was the starting catcher the last two seasons at Hofstra University, while pitcher Erin Weiler comes in after helping lead Palomar Junior College to consecutive third place California state finishes in '96 and '97.
As UCLA's largest class, the freshmen will need to rise to the occasion this season if the Bruins are to be competitive in Pac-10 Conference action. Stephanie Swenson, Jenny Gardner, Lyndsey Gayer, Casey Hiraiwa, Marin Noack and Jenna Shih should all see significant action throughout UCLA's tough non-conference schedule and into Pac-10 play. With five teams finishing '97 in the NSCA/USA Today Top 25, the Pac-10 Conference begins yet another season as the nation's most competitive softball conference. Three teams from the Pac-10 finished the season in the top-5, with Arizona edging UCLA in last season's national championship game. UCLA's non-conference schedule in '98 will be no pushover either as the Bruins are scheduled to face four teams that finished ranked in last season's top-25 national poll (No. 3 Fresno State, No. 6 Michigan, No. 15 Long Beach State and No. 19 Cal State Northridge).
The Bruins by Position
Pitchers: UCLA will rely heavily on two newcomers in Stephanie Swenson and Erin Weiler. Swenson, a freshman out of San Clemente High School, is a hard-throwing righthander with a good combination of speed and junk pitches. She is extremely versatile after seeing action in the outfield, shortstop and at second base in high school, however will be used primarily as a pitcher due to her value in UCLA's starting rotation. Weiler brings added experience to this year's pitching staff after two seasons at Palomar JC. Swenson and Weiler's different pitching styles should complement each other and give UCLA a solid pitching foundation. Freshman Lyndsey Gayer will be UCLA's No. 3 pitching option and should provide needed relief to Swenson and Weiler when needed.
Catchers: Having already played two years for Hofstra University, junior Carissa Millsap brings a solid foundation behind the plate for UCLA in '98. Possessing an excellent arm, Millsap threw out 35 percent of would-be base stealers (17-of-48) last season, while hitting .246 as a key member of Hofstra's offensive attack. Also battling for time at the catcher position will be versatile freshman Marin Noack, who will also be expected to back up Kim Wuest at first base.
Infielders: With veterans Laurie Fritz and Nicole Odom anchoring UCLA's infield, this is by far the Bruins' strongest area. Fritz, who proved herself both at the plate and in the field last season, started 54 games at second base while hitting an impressive .324 with 59 hits and 16 RBI. She will be relied on heavily to ignite UCLA's offense in '98. A versatile Casey Hiraiwa will be called upon to back Fritz at second, Odom at short, Jenny Gardner at third and she could see time in the outfield as well. Odom is back after missing last season due to a shoulder injury. Prior to her injury, she hit .331 with 51 hits and 30 RBI her junior season. A second team All-Aemrican as a sophomore, Odom's excellent range and great hands make her one of the nation's best shortstops.
After seeing most of her action last season at the designated player position, senior Kim Wuest enters her final season of collegiate play as UCLA's starting first baseman and key power-hitting threat. Currently ranked third on the UCLA career home run chart with 19, Wuest finished last season with four home runs and 25 RBI on 33 hits. She is coming off an All-American summer with the Southern California Jazz and will play a key roll in terms of RBI production if UCLA is going to remain competitive in the difficult Pac-10 Conference. Freshman Jenny Gardner heads into spring play as UCLA's No. 1 third base threat. After winning the position during fall play, Gardner will be counted on to give UCLA an added boost both in the field and at the plate.
Outfielders: Starting in the outfield, most likely at center, will be junior Danielle Martin. The Bruins will count on her bat in the lineup this season, as the converted slap-hitter will be looking to assume a more offensive role in '98. Contending for a spot in leftfield will be freshman Jenna Shih. One of the fastest players on this year's team, Shih possesses a solid arm and a solid bat after hitting .317 for Torrance High School last season. Rounding out the starting outfield will likely be slap-hitting senior Karen Hoshizaki. A late edition to the UCLA roster last season after joining the team during winter workouts, Hoshizaki saw action in 33 games and brings experience to a rather young Bruin outfield. Also competing for time in the outfield will be junior Lesley Feldman, who is hoping to be ready after sustaining an arm injury during fall play.