SOFTBALL PREVIEW: NORTHRIDGE THINKING BIG; COACH SHERMAN EXPECTS FEWER BUNTS, MORE HOME RUNS.

Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer

Small ball - the softball strategy in which teams bunt and run regularly to score runs - is gone at Cal State Northridge. Anyone who needs proof need only have watched senior Chelo Lopez taking batting practice last week.

Lopez calmly took her swings, and the balls flew out, making one wonder if the fences had been moved in. Coach Janet Sherman assured that the fences remained 200 feet from home plate.

Sherman is excited at this season's prospects, which begin with this weekend's Matador Spring Kickoff tournament.

``We have the best talent since we were (NCAA) runners-up in '94,'' Sherman declared. ``Our defensive capabilities are up. Our offensive potential is up. We have the ability to hit the long ball from all over the lineup. We're big ball.''

First baseman Lopez is the returner with the biggest offensive numbers, having batted .346 with 11 home runs and 31 RBI and earning second-team All-West Region honors as a junior.

But she isn't alone. Outfielder Elizabeth Sanches (.292, 6 HR, 32 RBI) hit a team-best 10 doubles only because she hit the top of the fence so many times. Sherman expects her to hit the ball inches higher more often.

There are other reasons for Sherman's optimism. Northridge, 34-22-2 last year and ranked 15th in the National Softball Coaches Association/USA Today preseason poll, brought in two senior transfers from Arkansas who will provide leadership and experience: outfielder Lisa Flores and infielder Augrista Belford.

``It's very clutch. To bring in experience is incredible,'' Sherman said. ``To bring in seniors is unheard of.''

This duo, combined with pitcher Jessica Creith, a sophomore transfer from Granada Hills who pitched at Indiana, will aid the Matadors in their quest to win the Big West Conference (21-11, second place last year) and perhaps advance to the College World Series.

The Matadors also will be strong in the pitching circle with senior Tara Glaister heading a talented staff. Glaister went 22-12 last season with 267 strikeouts in 241-1/3 innings and a 1.94 ERA.

Glaister pitched so many innings because Northridge had a pitcher quit early last year. She rested her arm in the offseason and appears ready now.

``Tara's not happy with last year,'' Sherman said. ``We put so much pressure on her. We were short and we needed her to pick up the load.''

Glaister won't have similar troubles this year. She will be joined by three other pitchers who can play other positions: third baseman Cheri Chinn (12-10, 2.76 ERA last year), infielder freshman Veronica Lopez and Creith, who will be the designated player when she's not in the circle.

A look at the other area team:

UCLA: This will be a transition year of sorts for the Bruins. They're banned from the postseason for improperly charging women's softball scholarships to the women's soccer program. The team won the 1995 NCAA title but later had it stripped, had its scholarships reduced and was banned from the 1997 postseason. UCLA appealed and finished second to Arizona.

The playoff ban takes effect this season, leading six players, including All-Americans Stacey Nuveman and Christie Ambrosi, to redshirt this season. Several players, likely from the six-member freshman class, will see action this season and lose their spots when those six return in 1999.

Still, UCLA is ranked 17th in the preseason. Their top returner is All-Pac-10 second teamer Laurie Fritz at second base (.324, 59 hits, .947 fielding percentage). She is joined by just two other seniors, first baseman Kim Wuest (19 career home runs, third all-time) and shortstop Nicole Odom, making the infield the Bruins' strongest point. Junior outfielder Karen Hoshizaki also provides experience.

UCLA will rely on two new pitchers, freshman Stephanie Swenson from San Clemente and Erin Weiler, a transfer from Palomar Junior College. Freshman Lyndsey Gayer will provide relief.

Carissa Milsap transfers in from Hofstra to start at catcher, and freshman third baseman Jenny Gardner will join Wuest, Odom and Fritz in the infield. Freshman Marin Noack could back up Wuest at first or play catcher.

Hoshizaki might be joined by junior Danielle Martin, freshman Jenna Shih and junior Lesley Feldman.

The Bruins (6-0) have begun the season already, sweeping St. Mary's and Santa Clara on the road and sweeping Loyola Marymount at home.

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PHOTO CSUN right-hander Tara Glaister, who went 22-12 with a 1.94 ERA last season, will lead a talented group of pitchers for coach Janet Sherman.

Tom Mendoza / Daily News