CONTROVERSIAL HARDING PLAYS U.S. TODAY.

Byline: Daily News Wire Services

When the U.S. plays Australia today, one of the Aussie players will be almost as well-known to softball fans as the Yanks.

Tanya Harding led UCLA to the 1995 College World Series title, then immediately left school and returned to Australia to train with her nation's Olympic team. She was 4-0 in the tournament, batted .500 and was named Most Valuable Player.

Critics charged that the school had brought her in at midseason as a ringer, a ``hired gun.''

Harding, a 24-year-old pitcher and utility player, refuses to discuss the UCLA flap.

``It's in the past,'' she said. ``I'm here for a different reason.''

Australia is 3-2 in the tournament, with Harding picking up a victory in relief against Chinese Taipei. She has allowed no runs and two hits in 5-2/3 innings but is only 1 for 9 as a batter. Harding did not play Thursday in a 10-0 win over Japan.

U.S. star Lisa Fernandez, who led UCLA to two college titles, said people don't completely understand the Harding situation.

Fernandez, who left college before Harding arrived, said she knew that the school had been in contact with Harding long before she decided to attend. The Australian joined the team in midseason, Fernandez said, because UCLA operates on a quarter system and the season already was under way when she could enroll.

``I think it was a great experience for her,'' Fernandez said.

U.S. shortstop Dot Richardson, who graduated from UCLA in the early 1980s and is a Sherman Oaks resident, also defended Harding. ``It was a great opportunity for her,'' Richardson said. ``She saw the opportunity, and she went for it.''

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Photo: TANYA HARDING: Ex-UCLA `hired gun' is defended by Am ericans