Monday, December 1st, 2008

Softball: Softball to battle both Pac-10 Oregon schools

After beginning conference play with two horrible weeks on the road, the Bruins have turned things around. But this week they are venturing away from Westwood as they look to climb out of their early-season hole.

The No. 4 Bruins (31-7, 4-6 Pac-10) will face two tough teams this weekend, Oregon and Oregon State, when they travel to the Pacific Northwest.

But although this may be their easiest road trip of the season, this is the Pac-10, where easy is only relative.

The Bruins will face the No. 11 Ducks (34-12, 8-4) Friday and the No. 16 Beavers (39-18, 3-9) Saturday and Sunday. Both teams have already beaten UCLA.

“The kids have some challenges before them, knowing that we just haven’t played our best softball consistently against both of those clubs,” coach Sue Enquist said.

This is the only conference road trip where the Bruins will not face a top 10 opponent, and it will give the team a chance to improve on its 0-4 conference road record.

Catcher Emily Zaplatosch said that, while it feels different to play on the road, it should not affect how the team plays. What is more important is how the team is playing now.

“We’ve improved since then, that’s for sure,” Zaplatosch said. “We’re headed down a good road the way we turned the corner this weekend and even the weekend before.”

Friday’s game will be the rubber match for UCLA and Oregon, after they split a pair of tense games at Easton Stadium two weeks ago. Thus far, the Ducks have been the surprise team in the conference, tied for second place.

The Bruins will then play a pair of games against Oregon State. While the Beavers are in seventh place in conference play, they were the first to defeat UCLA this season.

The Bruins will likely use their new lineup this weekend, which was first showcased Saturday against California. Enquist has not finalized the lineup, but said she will keep senior Stephanie Ramos at leadoff and sophomore Caitlin Benyi as the third hitter.

The same story goes for pitching. Enquist has not made a final decision, but said she will probably do the same thing as last weekend. In that case, expect to see more of senior Keira Goerl, the Bruins’ top pitcher.