Fullerton Challenge Is to Beat Tough UCLA to Reach Series

The Cal State Fullerton softball team, which has made three straight trips to the College World Series, will have to beat top-ranked UCLA in a best-of-three NCAA Regional series this weekend if it is to make a fourth straight appearance.

The winner of the series will advance to the eight-team College World Series May 25-29 in Sunnyvale, Calif. Eighteen other teams will compete at seven other regional sites this weekend, according to NCAA pairings released Monday. UCLA (46-7) finished second in the College World Series last season, and has been ranked No. 1 throughout this season.

Fullerton (52-18) finished third in last year’s College World Series but lost six starters, and has lost more games this season than any Titan softball team since 1980, when Fullerton was 30-25.

“The whole season comes down to this,” Fullerton Coach Judi Garman said. “We’re gearing up now.”

The Titans, who are ranked ninth, split a doubleheader with UCLA in April, losing 6-1 to UCLA’s standout pitcher Lisa Longaker, but winning 6-4 in the second game behind Titan pitcher Janis Okerlund.

Despite drawing the country’s top-ranked team, Garman is optimistic.

“I’m glad we’re going to UCLA,” Garman said.

UCLA has been troubled by injuries recently, and two Bruin starters will not play in the series.

Fullerton catcher Debbie Schneider, who has an injured knee, is questionable.

Fullerton’s top pitcher this season has been Anjie Bryant, a freshman left-hander with a 24-6 record and a 0.70 earned-run average. Okerlund (14-4, 1.30 ERA) and Chris Gage (6-4, 1.15), both sophomores, will back up Bryant.

The Titans also have two first-team Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. players in senior third baseman Val Douglas (.352 average) and sophomore outfielder Carey Hess (.339).

UCLA is led by Longaker, who is 26-3 with 19 shutouts and a 0.26 ERA, and Janice Parks, an All-American third baseman.