When it was announced that defending national champion UCLA was coming to town for the NCAA Gainesville Regional, Gators first baseman Megan Bush experienced various emotions.
She was a little surprised. She was excited. She felt a twinge of nostalgia. Mostly, she was thankful for the opportunity to continue her UF career and if that included the possibility of facing the Bruins, she would take it.
Bush grew up in Anaheim Hills, Calif., about 45 minutes from Los Angeles. She recalled Thursday that the first softball camp she remembers going to as a kid was at UCLA. As she got older and became more interested in the sport, she made a few trips to UCLA to watch the Bruins play.
As for going to school there, Bush said she never any serious thoughts about that option.
“I committed here pretty early,'' she said. “I went to a few camps at UCLA. That was before I really got into softball. That was kind of the team that really showed me what softball is all about. It's going to be really fun to get out there with them again.''
During a trip to California earlier this season for the Cathedral Classic in Palm Springs, the Gators beat the Bruins 4-1. Bush's family was at the game as they will be this weekend at Pressly Stadium.
Florida opens against Bethune-Cookman on Friday evening while UCLA plays Jacksonville. The double-elimination tournament continues through Sunday.
While UCLA's visit to Gainesville adds a neat little twist to Bush's story, the long ball is what has truly defined her UF career.
Bush enters the postseason with 64 career home runs, and if that sounds like a lot, that's because it is. Bush is not only the UF school-record holder for home runs, but the SEC's all-time leading home run hitter.
She hit 13 as a freshman in 2008, 16 as a sophomore, 15 as a junior, and has a school-record 20 in her final season.
Gators coach Tim Walton knew Bush had some pop in her bat when he made those cross-country trips to recruit her. Still, no one could have predicted just how much pop.
“We've had to manage the expectations somewhat because her freshman year she hit a bunch of home runs but popped up and lot and struck out a lot,'' Walton said. “Her swing is geared up for it.
“I think it's a little bit longer than a traditional softball player's swing. It comes down to her timing. She's really got a good swing, she creates a lot of leverage, she spins the ball exceptionally well and she stays on the ball exceptionally well. She's got the ability to hit to all fields with a lot of power because of her leverage and her spin.''
At 5-foot-7, Bush is taller than many of her teammates and started to notice a growth spurt her senior year at Anaheim Hills Canyon High. Soon, she noticed softball started to fly over the fence more.
The next thing she knew she was at Florida playing in the College World Series as a true freshman. Bush remembers turning to teammate Aja Paculba – also from California – and telling her that making the CWS was her goal all four seasons at UF.
“That's the part of my career that changed everything for me,'' Bush said.
The Gators are 3-for-3 in trips to the CWS with Bush swinging for the fences. She hopes there are many swings to come, including some against the team in that familiar blue and gold she remembers from those camps.
