UA knows ASU is no pushover

Adam F. Jarrold Arizona Daily Wildcat Pitcher Nancy Evans winds up before delivering to a Florida batter at Lincoln Park earlier this season. The Wildcats will host the 11th-ranked Arizona State Sun Devils tonight at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

Hence, the concern from Arizona head coach Mike Candrea about his team's next pair of games.

"They're all that way. The Pac-10 has just gotten so darn tough from top to bottom," he said.

The second-ranked Wildcats host state-rival and 11th-ranked Arizona State tonight at 6 at Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

UA brings in an offense which has been extremely potent recently. Against No. 4 UCLA and No. 23 Cal State-Northridge over the weekend, the Wildcats pounded out 41 runs on 49 hits to sweep both schools. In fact, the 11-0 victory over UCLA was the second-worst loss in Bruin history, perhaps giving credence to the fact that the Wildcats are riding one of the "peaks" that Candrea always refers to.

"It changes every week. We are swinging the bats well right now," Candrea said. "We're playing well and preparing well."

Center fielder Alison Johnsen has continued her torrid hitting attack. She is 22 for her last 34 at-bats and was named Pacific 10 Conference player of the week for the second week in a row. She is batting .524 overall.

Catcher Leah Braatz-Cochrane and third baseman Lety Pineda are tied for the conference lead with 15 home runs apiece.

The Sun Devils have yet to have a player hit a home run, but are third in the conference in batting at .313. The Wildcats are hitting .385 as a team. Should that pace hold, it would be an NCAA record.

UA pitcher Nancy Evans has been hot, too. She picked up three victories over the weekend - two from starts, one in relief - earning her second player of the week honors this season. One of her victories over UCLA was a two-hitter.

Despite the success at the plate and in the circle, Candrea said defense is always a key. And while the glovework has gotten better over the last few weeks, he said there is still room for improvement.

"It can always be better," Candrea said. "Anytime you give a team four outs in an inning you're playing with fire."

Arizona State will counter Evans (24-1, 0.93 ERA) with Roxanne Tsosie (15-5, 2.37), herself a two-time conference player of the week honoree.

The Sun Devils are paced at the plate by Lisa Daquisto. Daquisto is hitting .439 and is second in the conference in hits (68) and triples with four.

Tonight's games will be broadcast live by KAMP Student Radio (AM 1560).