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1999 College Sports Spring Preview
With Dale back, UCLA should deliver a title. |
SOFTBALL
Top Teams
1. UCLA
The Bruins took advantage of last year's probation due to eligibility
violations; they redshirted six players from their 1997 NCAA runner-up team. Now
cleared to play in the postseason, the school's eighth NCAA title seems imminent
with hard-hitting catcher Stacey Nuveman and pitcher Courtney Dale, both
sophomores, returning to the
lineup.
2. Fresno State
The champs defend their title with the strong pitching of '96
All-America senior Lindsay Parker and '98 Women's College World Series Most
Valuable Player junior Amanda Scott.
3. Arizona
The Wildcats lost four All-Americas, but two more return, sophomore
third baseman Toni Mascarenas and sophomore outfielder Lauren
Bauer.
4. Washington
Seven underclassmen started in '98 and gained the experience to
make a title run this year. Among the stars are junior All-Pac-10 pitchers Jamie
Graves and Jennifer
Spediacci.
5. South Florida
The Bulls bring back their top nine position players and strong
pitching. Senior Monica Triner's 0.56 ERA was fourth lowest in Division I last
year.
6. Texas
The Longhorns bring back eight of their top nine hitters. Senior
Christa Williams was the only Division I pitcher in '98 to rank among the top
five in strikeouts (364), strikeouts per game (11.1), ERA (0.46) and saves
(five).
7. Massachusetts 8. Louisiana State 9. Michigan 10. Nebraska Division II
Scott Whitlock of Kennesaw (Ga.) State , the NCAA's winningest active
coach (.880), missed the postseason for the first time ever last year. With six
position players back, however, the Owls are again the team to beat.
Division III
Chapman University in Orange, Calif., features first baseman
Stephanie Carew (Rod's daughter), who has a career .507 batting average and a
.993 slugging
percentage.
Hot Dates
April 10
May 27-31
Cybersources
chili.collegesportsnews.com
www.nfca.org
OTHER SPRING SPORTS PREVIEWS
Softball
The Minutewomen will call on the arm of senior pitcher Danielle
Henderson, who led the nation with 11.9 strikeouts per seven innings last
year.
Two new pitchers, freshman Britni Sneed and sophomore
transfer Ashley Lewis, join seven returning position players.
The Wolverines look for strong performances by All-America first
baseman senior Traci Conrad and All-Big Ten senior outfielder Catherine
Davie.
All-America junior pitcher Jenny Voss had a school-record 40 wins
last year and joins eight regulars returning to the
lineup.
Arizona at UCLA, with the Bruins leading the series
46-34.
Women's College World Series, Oklahoma
City.
Extensive collegiate softball news and stats
The latest polls and camp info
Track and Field
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