UCLA Too Sharp for Tired Blades

Southern Mississippi’s Courtney Blades holds nearly every major NCAA Division I pitching record and was named national player of the year this season.

In the Women’s College World Series, she showed why by throwing a perfect game against Arizona in the first round and shutting out Alabama to lift the Eagles into the semifinals.

None of that impressed UCLA.

The defending champion Bruins advanced to their third NCAA title game in four years with a 6-0 victory over the Eagles before 7,422 Sunday at Don Porter Hall of Fame Stadium.

UCLA (46-11-1), which entered the World Series as the fourth-seeded team, will play third-seeded Oklahoma (65-8) in today’s championship game. The Sooners advanced to their first national final with a 1-0 victory over Arizona on Lisa Carey’s fourth-inning home run.

UCLA’s Julie Adams, Tairia Mims and Amanda Freed hit home runs against Blades (52-8) to lead an 11-hit attack.

UCLA Coach Sue Enquist said the Bruins closely watched the pitcher throughout the tournament and put together a game plan Saturday night.

“We were all watching the show she put on against Arizona,” Enquist said. “They came out in an attack [mode]. They were attacking all her zones.

“We [took notes] on what happened with them. We made our adjustments and we came out and executed today.”

Blades’ final college appearance ended after two innings. She gave up five runs and five hits.

The senior said her 389 2/3 innings this season finally took its toll on her arm.

“[Against Alabama], I was pitching on adrenaline,” said Blades, who finished the season 52-8. “My arm was just dead today. I would have to say it’s the whole year. I’ve pitched a lot of innings and my team has helped me out a lot.”

UCLA came out hitting from the start and seemed to have its sights set on Southern Mississippi left fielder Chrystal Stevens.

Freed opened the game with a high bouncer over third baseman Kristie Martin into left field. One out later, Adams drilled an 0-2 pitch to the wall in left.

Stevens got turned around and made a last-ditch try at the ball, but it sailed over the short fence for Adams’ sixth homer.

“You don’t try to hit home runs,” said Adams, the most outstanding player of last year’s World Series. “We were going to test the outfielders’ arms. We wanted to see if they would make some mistakes.”

Stevens had other misadventures in the second inning. Mims’ deep liner went off her glove and over the fence. Freed’s blast barely escaped her glove after a leaping try at the fence.

“They’re a good hitting team,” Stevens said. “I guess it wasn’t my day.”

UCLA added its sixth run when Natasha Watley singled and stole second, then scored when Stevens couldn’t handle Adams’ sharp single.

Blades ended her career as the NCAA leader in wins (151) and strikeouts (1,773). She also set single-season record for wins (52) and finished with a record 663 strikeouts.

“Courtney Blades has set a standard at Southern Miss and in the sport of softball,” Enquist said. “Any time somebody gets 50 wins in a year is simply remarkable.

“She’s a competitor. I was so impressed with her savvy in the circle. You never really knew what the score was when she was out there.”

Freed (26-7) did her part on the mound. The sophomore gave up only two hits and struck out four in five innings.

Courtney Dale, who won last year’s title game against Washington, pitched the final two innings.

The Bruins have one more hurdle to clear but it will be a large one.

Oklahoma, which plays only 25 miles away in Norman, is at the top of its game and figures to bring another record crowd to its first title-game appearance.

“It’s going to be terrific for the city and for the state of Oklahoma,” Enquist said. “It’ll be packed. We’ll just have to carry out our plan and not get caught up in all the excitement.”