Los Angeles Region 2014 Softball World Series Breakdown
#3 UCLA, Notre Dame, Long Beach State, and Southern Utah
The UCLA Bruins have charged their way back into the national championship contender conversation this season by securing the number three national seed. Junior Ally Carda has to be one of the frontrunners for national player of the year honors as she has been outstanding in the circle and at the plate. Carda is hitting .391 with 14 homeruns and has won 29 games in 2014.Two other key players offensively to watch are sophomore Mysha Sataraka and junior utility player Stephany LaRosa. They have teamed up for 30 homeruns and driven in 98 runs. The Bruins should advance if they are dialed in offensively in this regional.
Notre Dame, Long Beach State, and Southern Utah need to realize first thing that they are playing the 2014 edition of the UCLA Bruins and not the teams from the illustrious UCLA past. Easton Stadium is not exactly going to be boisterous but the UCLA fans will be very supportive and are very savvy. The Fighting Irish had a nice first season in the ACC going 16-5 in conference play. Freshman Karley Wester is hitting .451 and sophomore Micaela Arizmendi and junior Emile Koerner bring the power that should be able to battle UCLA to the wire in this regional. Long Beach State is not going to be intimidated by playing at UCLA. The key for them will be pitching well enough to get to Sunday. Southern Utah will need to outslug their opponents in this regional to have a chance to advance as the pitching has been a challenge for them this season.
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