By
Brett Erickson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
On an afternoon when the Arizona softball team's power was absent, the No. 2 Wildcats used defense, clutch hitting and another dominant pitching performance to win the Wildcat Invitational yesterday.
UA junior Jennie Finch struck out nine batters and allowed a runner to reach base in just an inning as the Wildcats (20-0) defeated Florida 5-0 to complete an undefeated weekend.
Finch allowed one hit - a bloop single to center by the Gators' Mylin Prieto - and did not walk a batter.
Arizona scored a run in the bottom of the first inning, but two Florida (12-5) pitchers held the Wildcats in check for the next three frames. Arizona was able to stay ahead thanks to Finch and a strong defensive effort, particularly from shortstop Allison Andrade and third baseman Toni Mascarenas.
With Arizona up 1-0 and the Gators batting in the top half of the fifth inning, Mascarenas took a sure double away from Bree Berger when she back-handed a chopper down the third base line and threw over to first.
Andrade ended the inning with another defensive gem for the Wildcats, as she fielded a grounder deep in the hole and threw out the Gators' runner.
"Having them behind me is huge," said Finch, who upped her record to 7-0 for the season. "Toni at third, Ali at shortstop, when you turn around for a ground ball, they're already on it, making the play."
The two plays seemed to spark the Wildcats' offense in the bottom of the inning, as seniors Lauren Bauer and Nicole Giordano both singled to start the inning. Mascarenas then delivered another clutch hit for Arizona with a double over the right fielder's head to score Bauer.
Giordano scored one batter later when redshirt freshman Leneah Manuma hit a sacrifice fly to center field. Arizona scored its third run of the inning when a groundout by senior Lindsey Collins plated Mascarenas.
The Wildcats tacked on their final run of the game in the sixth inning when Bauer singled home freshman Mackenzie Vandergeest, who had doubled to left field three batters earlier.
Mascarenas was also responsible for Arizona's lone run in the first inning, when her double to right-center field brought home Giordano.
Andrade ended the game with another solid play, this time on a short-hopper off the bat of Emily Marino.
UA head coach Mike Candrea said Andrade has consistently provided the team with solid defense.
"She is very underrated; she is as solid as you'll find at shortstop," he said.
The victory against the Gators capped off a 5-0 weekend for Arizona. The Wildcats defeated Southern Utah 8-0 and McNeese State 13-1 Saturday after beating Connecticut 11-3 and Drake 5-0 Friday.
Offensively, Bauer again provided the team with a spark from the leadoff spot. The senior hit .625 (10-for-16) while stealing eight bases and scoring seven runs on the weekend. Andrade, Mascarenas, Finch and Vandergeest also hit two home runs apiece for Arizona.
Mascarenas, who increased her team-high home run total to 11, said the team is benefiting from its balance throughout the lineup.
"Everyone has confidence," she said. "It's just a matter of who is going to step it up on that particular day."
Finch and freshman Jenny Gladding (6-0) each picked up two wins, while senior Becky Lemke improved her record to 7-0.
The Wildcats return to the field tomorrow against Western Michigan at 6 p.m.
