Softball team not yet finished

Kristy Mangos Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior pitcher Nancy Evans slides into home during the Wildcats' game against Cal on Saturday. Arizona captured its second consecutive Pac-10 title and is looking ahead to this weekend's road doubleheaders with UCLA and Washington.

Don't think for a second that the intensity these players feel for the game has lessened after clinching their second Pac-10 title in a row in Sunday's doubleheader sweep of California.

"There's no weight off our shoulders yet," senior center fielder Alison McCutcheon said. "We have to continue to play hard until the very last game. We cannot let up at all."

Arizona head coach Mike Candrea is sure to prevent his team from any mental and physical lapses, although he will experiment with a few minor lineup changes in this weekend's games at Washington and UCLA to give field time to some of the younger players.

"I will have a chance to get some kids some playing time that haven't seen a lot of action this year," Candrea said. "We need to get everyone ready to play, especially come playoff time."

UA plays UCLA Saturday at 11 a.m. and Washington Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

With the regional tournament less than two weeks away, the Wildcats are almost assured of a top seed, which would allow them to host the six-team event at Hillenbrand Stadium, May 15-17.

Seedings and pairings for the eight regional tournaments will be announced May 11.

Candrea's plans between now and then are to give his team an opportunity to gather itself and prepare for the rigor of postseason play, which senior hurler Nancy Evans discovered first hand last season.

After then-senior pitcher Carrie Dolan was suspended for breaking a team policy, Evans went on to pitch all 40 innings for the Wildcats, including a complete-game, 14-inning effort against UCLA in the second game, which UA won 2-0.

With the emergence of freshman Becky Lemke as a potentially overpowering option in the circle, Candrea has more to work with in this year's title run, although his ace has no idea what the plan is, nor does she worry.

"I am just going to trust in coach because he knows what is best," Evans said. "It is no problem for me not knowing when I am going to pitch. If he gives me the ball then I will go out and get the job done."

Candrea's only remaining concern is his squad's semi-frequent lack of excitement on the field, which he said will hinder its success in the postseason if not remedied soon.

"I fell like we are lacking emotion sometimes and that bothers me a little," Candrea said. "We are real tired right now so some days off will do us good. We need to be mentally ready for every game and to leave it all between the lines."

If the Wildcats win their regional, they will make their 11th-consecutive trip to the College World Series in Oklahoma City, Okla., May 21-25.