Unbeatable pitcher Burns her competition
Thursday, February 27, 1997
SOFTBALL:
Skills, experience showcased among her teammatesBy Melissa Anderson
Daily Bruin Staff
Life is just one long roller coaster ride. At least that is how it feels if you're B'Ann Burns.
That's because the veteran pitcher on the UCLA softball team has been through more ups and downs in four years than many people experience in a lifetime.
As a freshman Burns played well behind senior All-American DeeDee Weiman, appearing in 29 games and posting a 21-5 record en route to earning the Pac-10 Honorable Mention.
The following season was supposed to be Burns' chance to take the mound as UCLA's No. 1 pitcher. But the arrival of Australian Tanya Harding late in the season took Burns out of the spotlight.
Although she did register her second-straight 20-win season with a 23-5 record to help the Bruins capture their eighth NCAA title, it was not yet her chance to shine.
After two years of proving herself, it appeared the roller coaster ride would finally come to a full and complete stop in 1996.
Winning a career-high 31 games and earning first team All-American honors as a junior, Burns finally emerged as UCLA's top gun for the moment.
But in the off-season, UCLA acquired two top freshman recruits in Olympian Christa Williams and Courtney Dale, both pitchers. That meant Burns would once again have to prove herself, even as a senior with more college game experience than anyone else on the squad. She has done just that.
Burns saw limited action in the early part of this season, appearing in just one of UCLA's first six games. But her experience in tough game situations is second to none, so when head coach Sue Enquist saw the freshmen struggling to adjust to the college game, she realized it was time to call in the veteran.
"When I first went out there in the Long Beach game and it wasn't very good, I was thinking "Oh God," Burns said.
"But then we got beaten by Cal (7-0, in the opening game of a doubleheader) and Sue said "Just go out there and do it. Show them how to do it." And I was like "OK." I just didn't know what they were waiting for."
Since that Cal game, Burns has been near flawless, mounting a perfect 6-0 record and earning Pac-10 Player/Pitcher of the Week for her performance. She struck out 13 last weekend in a 1-0 battle against No. 9 South Carolina and is providing the Bruins with the leading force they need.
"B'Ann has stepped up and taken the lead, and it shows," UCLA assistant coach Kelly Inouye said. "The way she has been pitching lately has instilled confidence in the team. She's not completely at the point where she wants to be, but it's early and she's taking charge."
"It was kind of surprising because she could have gone one way or the other. We brought in two guns, and who knows what was going to happen. And she's stepped up."
So now, Burns is on a different sort of ride. Things have started to smooth out for the senior and the path in front of her is becoming straight. As the leading pitcher on the squad with a .80 ERA and 39 strikeouts, Burns has set the standard for the rest of the staff and is serving as much as a teacher as she is a senior leader.
"What I appreciate about B'Ann this year is that she knew we brought in two high profile freshmen and she just came in and did her job, day in and day out," Enquist said. "There are times when other pitchers aren't at the top of their game and yet B'Ann continues to play her game and be the pitcher that she is.
"We are very fortunate to have her in the program because she provides the leadership. Her seniority has been a stability for this very young team."
No one is happier about her current success than Burns herself, who is committed to doing her best, regardless of the amount of time she spends in the circle.
"I figure that I am going to do what I can do, and do my best," Burns said. "I'm not going to try to do something I can't do. The coach is going to make the decision (about who plays) and I can't do anything about it whether it's right or wrong, if they throw me in or not."
Odds are, they will be throwing Burns in, especially if she continues her tear this weekend. at the San Diego State Invitational. The Bruins (13-4) take on several key opponents in the tournament, which begins today with games against host-San Diego State and a rematch with Loyola Marymount.
WYNN RUJIRAVIRIYAPINYO
B'Ann Burns, All-American last year, leads the Bruins with a .80 ERA and 39 strikeouts.
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