UCLA to Open Series Today vs. Alabama

UCLA and Arizona have put a stranglehold on the Women’s College World Series. Not including 1995, when UCLA was stripped of the championship and the title vacated, they have combined to win 10 of the last 11 NCAA softball titles.

Washington, last year’s runner-up to five-time champion UCLA, has been ranked No. 1 most of this season and comes into the series as one of the favorites.

Maybe they should just let those three schools battle it out for the title. Displaying the West’s dominance, Washington, Arizona and UCLA finished 1-2-3 in the Pacific 10 Conference and in the final national poll.

But there are five other teams who believe they are worthy of breaking through. Alabama is one and plays UCLA in a first-round game today at Don Porter Hall of Fame Stadium.

UCLA Coach Sue Enquist said the days of opening-round victories for the Bruins are over.

“There were some years where you wondered how some teams got there,” she said. “You knew there were teams that you could probably beat with your second team.

“I don’t see it that way now. Each one of these teams has everything that you need to win it.”

Fourth-seeded UCLA (43-11-1) is at the top of its game. In last week’s regionals, the Bruins played near-flawless defense and received contributions from throughout their batting order in outscoring their opponents, 31-6.

Sophomore pitcher Amanda Freed, who played at Pacifica, established herself as UCLA’s ace by winning all four regional games. Enquist would not announce her starter for today’s game, but Freed started three regional games, including the 7-1 clincher against Florida State.