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Thursday, 5/1/97 Bruins look to take out the Dawgs Washington is No. 3 in hitting, boasts Pac-10 Pitcher of Week

By Melissa Anderson Daily Bruin Staff As the final stretch approaches, the No. 4 UCLA softball team hopes to find solace in the confines of Easton Stadium, where the Bruins will host the final four games of the regular season before the NCAA Regionals begin May 16. Sixth-ranked Washington (38-10, 11-4 Pac-10) heads to Westwood this afternoon for a 1 p.m. double header with the the Bruins, looking to take at least a game from UCLA in order to even the score a bit. Earlier this month in Seattle, the Bruins split a pair with the Dawgs, losing a 7-6 battle in the opener after UW posted five runs in the last inning. UCLA (38-10, 18-6) was able to save face with a 5-1 win in the nightcap. While UCLA had nearly a week to rest up and practice after last weekend's sweep through the state of Oregon, UW may be feeling the fatigue of playing six games in five days. That could work to the Bruins' advantage, especially with two Bruin starters still on the bench with injuries. Third baseman Julie Adams continues to be plagued by a nagging left shoulder injury that will keep her sidelined at least until mid-May, meaning the sophomore probably won't see any action until the post-season begins. In addition, junior Laurie Fritz is suffering from an injured right shoulder and will not return to second base until playoff time. Such injuries to key players have forced others on the UCLA squad to shoulder the burden, and everyone has stepped up to the task. In Adams' absence, catcher Stacey Nuveman and designated player Kim Wuest have alternated at third, while catcher/center fielder Julie Marshall has moved in to play second for Fritz. The Huskies are the No. 3 hitting team in the Pac-10 with a team batting average of .311, and they boast two of the conference's hottest hitters with infielders Becky Newbry and Sara Pickering, hitting .393 and .392, respectively. Washington is no slouch in the pitching circle either. UW pitcher Jennifer Spediacci was named the Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week after recording four wins last week. A freshman out of Fremont, Spediacci blanked Oregon, 5-0, and Arizona State, 6-0, striking out eight and walking just three in two shutouts. As one of three pitchers on the team, Spediacci has led the Huskies to six of their last 10 victoies en route to a team-leading 0.87 ERA and a 12-2 record. CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin Third baseman Julie Adams will be out until mid-May with a shoulder injury.

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