UCLA tight end Keith Carter has decided to bring his playing
career to an end due to back problems combined with lingering
effects from a hip injury he suffered two years ago. However, he
did say he will remain at UCLA in order to obtain his degree, and
will participate as an undergraduate assistant coach. Two years
ago, Carter fractured his right hip in a motorcycle accident, which
sidelined him for the entire 2003 season. After undergoing several
surgeries, Carter made his way back onto the field. But this latest
injury, combined with his hip injury, convinced the tight end it
was time to call it quits.
SOFTBALL: UCLA beat Kent State 4-1 in the
team’s first game at the Bingham Toyota Bulldog Classic in
Fresno on Thursday night. Bruin pitcher Anjelica Selden pitched a
complete game, throwing 14 strikeouts. UCLA’s Caitlin Benyi
hit a solo home run and Kristen Dedmon added two RBI in a game that
was delayed and did not start until 8:45 p.m. No. 4 UCLA (12-4)
will play five more games over the weekend, including games today
against Iowa State and Mississippi.
BASEBALL: After two consecutive tough losses
last weekend against Pacific, the UCLA baseball team must face
Oklahoma, Nevada and defending NCAA champion Cal State Fullerton at
the Kia Baseball Bash at Fullerton in the next three days. But UCLA
has no trepidation of falling into a prolonged losing streak.
“To be honest we are optimistic,” coach John Savage
said. “We get to use different people and we are looking
forward to it.” After poor defense and sub-par pitching
plagued UCLA against the Tigers, the Bruins are eager to redeem
themselves.
MEN’S TENNIS: Coming off an upset loss at
the hands of USC, the fourth-ranked UCLA men’s tennis team
will get a break from team competition this weekend as it heads to
the Pacific Coast Doubles Championships in La Jolla. Most of the
Bruins will be competing this weekend, but Luben Pampoulov, the
team’s No. 1 player, will not play this weekend because he
has been suffering with a pinched nerve in his neck. UCLA coach
Billy Martin intends to give Pampoulov several weeks off to let the
injury heal.