SOFTBALL / COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : Bruins Follow Familiar Pattern

There is a secret to UCLA’s softball success in the NCAA Women’s College World Series, but apparently no other team has picked up on it--yet.

Eight teams, including seven of the top-ranked eight, will play for the NCAA Division I title in a double-elimination tournament, which begins today and concludes Monday.

UCLA, which has won seven titles since the first Series in 1982, is the only one of eight teams at this year’s series that is not staying at the Oklahoma City Marriott, championship headquarters.

UCLA Coach Sharron Backus, who has guided the Bruins to series appearances 11 of the past 12 years, has never allowed the Bruins to stay in the same hotel as their opponents. It’s a trick Backus picked up from her coach more than 20 years ago, and now she swears by it.

“We just try to eliminate as many distractions as we can and keep the kids focused,” Backus said.

The attention is focused on UCLA pitcher Lisa Fernandez, who is embarking on her fourth and final World Series. When senior pitcher Heather Compton (13-2) was kicked off the team nearly four weeks ago after quarreling with co-Coach Sue Enquist, Fernandez, who also plays third base, became almost a full-time pitcher. Fernandez (29-1), a four-time first-team All-American, has five of the Bruins’ last six victories.

Two weeks ago, as playoffs approached, Backus limited reporters’ access to Fernandez to postgame interviews.

“You have to understand, we have a purpose here--a focus,” Backus said. “These kids aren’t used to this exposure, and to neutralize her or to minimize her effectiveness in any way. . . . I won’t take that risk.”

First-round games begin today at 4 p.m. PDT with top-ranked UCLA (46-3) facing unranked Connecticut (44-12), which is making its first series appearance.

At 6 p.m., fourth-ranked Oklahoma State (48-7) will play fifth-ranked Florida State (52-7).

First-round games continue on Friday with third-ranked Arizona (40-7) facing Cal State Long Beach (45-19), followed by second-ranked Cal State Northridge (47-7-1) against Southwestern Louisiana (54-5).