Softball looks to improve on 5-0 start

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior outfielder Brandi Shriver hits a ground ball in Arizona's 7-3 win over third-ranked University of Washington last Sunday. The Wildcats hope to continue their five game winning streak with their series this weekend.

"It's a tournament and we want to win it," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "We hope to gain some experience and play better than last weekend."

It would be tough for any team to play better than the Wildcats did last weekend.

They annihilated Illinois-Chicago and Northwestern State in a pair of doubleheaders by a combined score of 47-7. Arizona topped off the weekend by beating the third-ranked Washington Huskies 7-3. Arguably, the only team in the country that could play better than the Wildcats did last weekend, is the Wildcats.

"We've got tournament time from now until we open the season against Stanford and California, and I think that time has got to be used to give the kids some experience and for me to test the waters a little bit," Candrea said. "I'm not so sure that even by then I will be settled on a particular line-up. A lot will depend on our opponent and a lot will depend on who is hot."

Today's games should be similar. The Wildcats play softball newcomer Texas at 10 a.m., and last season's NCAA Regional participant Nebraska at 4 p.m.

"Texas is a new program," Candrea said. "Connie Carr, who is their head coach played for me in junior college and her assistant coach Jamie Heggen played at Arizona (1991-1993)."

"Nebraska was in the regionals and will be good as well," he said.

UNLV and UCSB will play the Wildcats tomorrow at noon and 2 p.m. respectively.

The Running Rebels made an appearance in the College World Series last season and the Gauchos are expected to have an improving program. Arizona will wrap up the tournament against Utah State at 9 a.m. on Sunday.

Key players for the Wildcats will be pitcher Carrie Dolan, first baseman Leah O'Brien, center fielder Alison Johnson, catcher Leah Braatz and third baseman Lety Pineda.

Pineda hit .563 with four home runs last weekend. Braatz needs to show some of the power at the plate that made her an All-American in 1994 and 1995. In those two years, she had 39 home runs. So far this season she has one.

Johnson was 13 of 21 last weekend with 10 RBI as the leadoff batter. O'Brien, who hits second, was 10 of 18 with 6 RBI.

Dolan, who was the winning pitcher in last season's national championship game, has struggled with her drop-ball, consequently her 2.57 ERA is more than a point higher than last season.