Wildcats host Grand Canyon

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore shortstop Keoni DeRenne (11) crosses home plate during the game against Washington Saturday at Frank Sancet Field. The Wildcats face Grand Canyon tonight at 7 in Tucson.

"It is good to have games on Tuesday because when you just practice all week you tend to lose your rhythm," UA freshman pitcher Ben Diggins said. "It gets you good at-bats and hopefully a win, along with some confidence."

The Wildcats (21-16 overall) play the Antelopes (28-11) three times every year and they hold a 55-19 all-time record against GCU.

Probable Starting Lineup for Wildcats 1. CF   Troy Gingrich 2. 2B   Andy Juday 3. SS   Keoni DeRenne 4. RF   Shelley Duncan 5. 3B   Erik Torres 6. LF   Kenny Huff 7. 1B   Ernie Durazo 8. C   Dennis Anderson 9. DH   Rafell Jones or Ben Diggins

Their last meeting on March 16, which followed the Wildcats winning two out of three against UCLA, saw UA defeat the Antelopes 11-2. Freshman Brian Pemble threw over six scoreless innings, giving up only three hits to earn his first collegiate victory.

The Wildcats will again look to Pemble to take the hill tonight against Grand Canyon in an attempt to get him experience on the mound in live game action.

The coaching staff did mention they would like to use a variety of pitchers this evening, but if Pemble has to go as long as he did in the last game against the Antelopes, then they will let him.

"We would like to split it up between four or five guys if we can," associate head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "It is not like a spring training game because our first objective is to win and get guys quality innings."

Unlike the Wildcats, the Antelopes have not yet determined who will be their starting pitcher tonight, but it most likely will not be one of their front-line pitchers considering they have a series this weekend.

Dan Rosen can be reached at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.