UCLA Bruins
Overall Rank: #16
Conference Rank: #6 Pac-12
UCLA Team Page
The UCLA Bruins finished tied for fourth in the Pac-12 in 2012, losing to Florida State in Los Angeles Regional and, uncharacteristically for a UCLA squad, missed the Super-Regionals for a second straight season. Offensively, the Bruins were a juggernaut, ranking among the best in the country statistically in several categories, including number one in slugging at .580. Nationally, the crew from Westwood had the fourth highest average (.339), was fourth in home runs per game (1.48), third in doubles per game (1.63) and seventh in scoring (6.61 runs per game). Seven year Head Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez’s team could score, but the team’s pitching and defense were near the bottom of the conference. The Bruins were eighth in ERA and seventh in fielding percentage. The 2013 Bruins will have eight new faces in the lineup. Coach Inouye-Perez lost five starters, four seniors (three who were All-Americans) and the starting short stop, Kellie Fox, who transferred to Arizona. Thirteen letter winners return for UCLA. Six freshmen, a red shirt freshman and a transfer join the squad.
2012: 36-20, 12-12
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Kelly Inouye-Perez, 7th Season
Field Players:
Senior B.B. Bates comes back after a season where she hit .360, slugged .686 and hit 14 homeruns. The outfielder delivered 27 extra base hits and 1.000 fielding percentage. Junior second baseman Talee Snow appeared in 50 games, starting 43. She hit .313 with nine doubles.
Pitchers:
Junior Jessica Hall finished 2012 with a 19-14 record, posting a 3.28 ERA. She fanned 213 in 213.2 innings of work. The right hander had 16 complete games, seven shutouts. Sophomore Aly Carda earned 2012 All-Pac-12 Freshman Team honors. In her rookie season, she went 13-5 with a 3.38 ERA. At the plate Carda hit .290 with four home runs.
Who to Watch:
Sophomore Stephany LaRosa was NFCA 1st Team All-American as a freshman and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. The third baseman hit .436 (11th nationally), mashed 17 bombs and delivered 61 RBI. She led her teammates in total bases (146), hits (79) and slugging (.807).
Final Projection:
The Bruins will certainly miss the likes of All-Americans Katie Schroeder, Samantha Camuso and Andrea Harrison. Each hit .359 or above. The 2013 UCLA squad will need to replace five quality starters. Those athletes accounted for 44 home runs, 99 extra base hits and 184 RBI. The Bruins will need a better performance from the pitching staff this coming season to return UCLA to the prominence they had become accustomed to. Look for the Bruins to finish in the middle of the pack in a very challenging Pac-12, but to reach the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Softball Tournament
Returning Leaders:
At Bats: Stephany LaRosa, 3B, 181
Hits: Stephany LaRosa, 3B, 79
Home Runs: Stephany LaRosa, 3B, 17
RBIs: Stephany LaRosa, 3B, 61
Runs: Stephany LaRosa, 3B, 48
Stolen Bases: B.B. Bates, OF, 7
Wins: Jessica Hall, P, 19
Innings Pitched: Jessica Hall, P, 213.2
Strikeouts: Jessica Hall, P, 213
Saves: Jessica Hall, P, 4
Madness 2013 NPF Draft Rankings:
#9 B.B. Bates
Madness 2013 Softball Recruit Rankings:
#10 Brittany Moeai
#30 Paige McDuffee
#90 Allexis Bennett
See All Softball Top 44 Team Previews
