Softball: Goerl pitches spectacular weekend

Senior Keira Goerl was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week for her performance in last weekend’s UNLV Classic. She went 3-0 over the weekend, and did not give up an earned run in any of her starts. It is the 10h time Goerl (5-0) has been named Pac-10 pitcher of the week during her career. “She’s making improvements like everybody is, and she’s getting to the top of her game,” senior center fielder Stephanie Ramos said. “There’s no stopping Keira when you get her going.” The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday, when Goerl threw a no-hitter against Wisconsin. She walked one batter while striking out nine Badgers in only five innings of work, before the game was called because of softball’s mercy rule. It was her first no-hitter of the season and the 10th of her career. Goerl then threw a shutout against No. 8 Michigan, notching four strikeouts while scattering seven hits. The only blemish came against No. 9 Nebraska, when she gave up an unearned run. On the weekend, Goerl racked up 20 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .161 batting average.

PAC-10 IN THE POLLS: Pac-10 teams are dominating in the latest ESPN/USA Softball Top 25 poll. All eight schools competing in softball are currently ranked. UCLA (9-0) maintained its position as the unanimous top-ranked team in the nation, receiving all 20 first-place votes. Cal and Arizona, both 11-0 in pre-season play, have been ranked second and third all season. Washington (10-1) is still in fifth. Its only loss was against the Bruins in the Long Beach State Tournament. Stanford (8-1) moved up from No. 10 to No. 8 in the latest poll after going 5-0 in the Stanford Invitational. Oregon State (12-4) jumped over in-state rival Oregon to climb to No. 18. Oregon (5-4) is ranked No. 21, and Arizona State (10-5) rounds out the conference at No. 22. “It’s just a real positive reflection of our strength in the Pac-10,” UCLA coach Sue Enquist said. While the rankings create expectations for preseason play, it is too early to make predictions about what will happen in conference play, she said.