Baseball team in need of win against lowly opponent

There's no way around it.

A seemingly unimportant midweek game for the Arizona baseball team has suddenly become a must-win situation.

The now unranked Wildcats (25-16 overall, 7-11 in the Pacific 10 Conference Southern Division) have dropped a school record-tying 11 in a row, including a sweep by Arizona State in Tucson last weekend.

Tonight at 7 Arizona entertains nonconference opponent Grand Canyon (19-14 overall, 7-6 in the Western Athletic Conference) at Frank Sancet Field in the first of three games this season. Arizona will play at Grand Canyon next week and then the Antelopes will come back to Tucson the following week.

"I think the guys are ready to go out and give our best effort," UA freshman infielder Erik Torres said.

Torres said the team's focus has changed for the game.

Reserves like Torres were expected to see most of the action against Grand Canyon when the game was scheduled, but UA head coach Jerry Stitt said the regulars will play.

Injuries and illnesses limited the Wildcats against ASU. Left-handed pitcher Rob Shabansky is still out indefinitely, but closer Ryan Moskau could be ready for tonight's game. Center fielder Rafell Jones is close to coming back, Stitt said, and second baseman Erik Mattern should have recovered from a bad flu virus by game time.

First baseman Kenny Corley, who was injured when his elbow was hit by a pitch in Saturday's game and was the designated hitter Sunday, is also probable for tonight's game.

The Wildcats then depart for Los Angeles on Wednesday to start a three-game series against UCLA Thursday night at 6.