Wildcats end home schedule with win

Matt Heistand Arizona Daily Wildcat UA junior catcher Dennis Anderson stays on first base after his hit during Friday's game against Southern Utah. The Wildcats lost the first two games of the series but came back to win yesterday's game 8-5.

"Friday our heads weren't in it at all," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "We had a horrible batting practice and a horrible infield. In fact it was the worst all year. We played better Saturday, but again couldn't get it done when it mattered."

Yesterday afternoon the Wildcats (30-18 overall, 10-8 Pacific 10 Conference) finally found their winning touch as they defeated the Thunderbirds (14-30) 8-5 behind 6 2/3 innings of solid pitching from junior Mike Crawford (4-4), who struck out eight batters and walked none.

"He just throws strikes and that is so important because great things happen when you throw strikes," Stitt said.

The Wildcats were able to get an early 2-0 lead after the first inning and extended that in the second inning when junior catcher Dennis Anderson, who was 8 for 12 in the series, hit the first of his two solo home runs to put the Wildcats up 3-0.

"After the first one, I said you better watch out Shelley," Anderson said jokingly about his seventh home run, putting him 11 behind Duncan, who leads the team with 18.

After the Wildcats scored two more runs in the third, the Thunderbirds were able to get to Crawford a bit in the fourth, scoring two runs on a single, a fielder's choice and two doubles, cutting the score to 5-3.

"They really swing the bats well. They've got some guys who can really hit," Stitt said.

Anderson's second home run came in the fourth inning and the Wildcats scored two more in the fifth inning, including an RBI double by freshman designated hitter Ben Diggins, to go up 8-3.

The Thunderbirds managed one run in the sixth and seventh, but were then put to bed by junior relief pitcher Tony Milo, who struck out four, including the side in the top of the ninth to get the save.

This series marked the final home games for two Wildcats, seniors Andy Juday and Scott Wood.

Juday, who came over from the University of Kansas to play his final year of collegiate baseball, has been the starting second baseman for UA all year long.

"The opportunity presented itself and I jumped at the chance," Juday said of his decision. "I wouldn't trade it for the world. It has been a pleasure to play with these guys. I love everyone on the team."

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