1999 College Sports Spring Preview

With Dale back, UCLA should deliver a title. Scott Quintard/UCLA photo

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
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.

8. Louisiana State
Two new pitchers, freshman Britni Sneed and sophomore transfer Ashley Lewis, join seven returning position players.

9. Michigan
The Wolverines look for strong performances by All-America first baseman senior Traci Conrad and All-Big Ten senior outfielder Catherine Davie.

10. Nebraska
All-America junior pitcher Jenny Voss had a school-record 40 wins last year and joins eight regulars returning to the lineup.

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
Arizona at UCLA, with the Bruins leading the series 46-34.

May 27-31
Women's College World Series, Oklahoma City.

Cybersources

chili.collegesportsnews.com
Extensive collegiate softball news and stats

www.nfca.org
The latest polls and camp info

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