MICHAEL MANTEL Sophomore slugger Claire Sua is late on her swing as she tries to make contact with a pitch.

By Michael Sneag

Daily Bruin Contributor

Consistency. It’s easy to talk about, but not always easy to accomplish.

The UCLA softball team split a doubleheader against Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday at Easton Stadium, losing the first game 3-1, but coming back to win 5-2 in the second.

All of the runs given up by the top ranked Bruins (18-2) in the two games were unearned, and that is something that concerns the team.

“We are not at the point where we are playing at a level that is acceptable for UCLA softball,” head coach Sue Enquist explained. “We have to be able to execute and today we fell short. However, I don’t want to magnify things. It is not a huge issue. We are just in a bit of a lull.”

Sophomore Keira Goerl picked up the loss in the first game. The game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the fifth, before junior shortstop Natasha Watley hit a two-out RBI triple to score sophomore outfielder Stephanie Ramos, who had doubled to start the inning.

“I have been working on hitting for more power this season, rather than slapping the ball, and today it showed,” Watley said.

The Titans (9-9) came back to take the lead in the top of the sixth, putting up a three-spot. All of the runs were unearned because of a Watley error on a bobbled grounder.

The inning was saved, however, by a diving catch behind first base by second baseman Monique Mejia, who ranged far to her left and sprawled all out for the popout. Quickly getting up, she doubled off the runner on second to end the inning.

Titans pitcher Gina Oaks was able to keep the Bruins off the scoreboard for the rest of the game, giving the Bruins their second loss of the season.

Coming back in the second game, Amanda Freed dominated. She had 12 strikeouts, keeping hitters completely off balance with an assortment of risers, fastballs and change-ups. A towering home run by Yasmin Moasagedhi in the sixth did end both the no-hitter and the shutout, but overall, it was a completely dominant performance.

“I felt good,” Freed said. “I haven’t felt really good in a long time.

Offensively, the Bruins scored two runs in the third as Watley again provided offensive punch with her second homer of the season, scoring Mejia who had battled and earned a walk in front of her.

“As a team, it was good to come back strong and get things done,” Freed said. “We did a good job on defense and our offense was there when we needed it.”

The Bruins struck again in the fourth, as Freed and senior infielder Stacey Nuveman had bases-loaded RBI singles and junior infielder Tairia Mims earned an RBI of her own with a bases-loaded walk, giving the Bruins a 5-0 lead.

Dealing with the expectations for this team are never easy, but if the Bruins can find some consistency, they are talented enough to bring another championship to Westwood.