By
David Stevenson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA fine tunes offense with weekend outburst; Duncan hits for the cycle on Friday, slams 19th homer on Saturday
To say the Arizona baseball team dominated its weekend series is an understatement.
The UA baseball team combined to outscores the Islanders 46-16 en route to a three-game sweep against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Sancet Field.
UA finished the series Saturday, winning 13-0 in a seven-inning game. The game was shortened by the mercy rule.
Chris Goodman (3-1) retired the first 14 batters of the game. Corpus Christi shortstop Brandon Trevino broke up the perfect game in the fifth inning, singling underneath the glove of the diving UA shortstop Brad Hassey.
Goodman said losing the perfect game wasn't too important.
"When I was in the dugout, I never really thought about it," he said. "I was just thinking how I should throw to them."
The hit was the lone blemish on Goodman's sparkling performance. In five innings, he failed to walk a batter and went to a three-ball count just once.
UA head coach Jerry Stitt said he eventually pulled Goodman because of a high pitch count and to give relievers a chance to pitch valuable innings.
Jason Martinez came on in relief and allowed two hits in two innings.
"This weekend I didn't want any of the starters to throw more than 80 pitches," Stitt said. "I also wanted to give Martinez a chance and give him some innings."
Hassey went 3 for 4 with two singles, a triple, three runs and an RBI. He went 8 for 11 - hitting .727 - over the weekend.
Hassey, who played most of last season as a backup, has been working in the batting cage to improve his offensive output.
"He's been fine-tuning his swing," UA senior first baseman Ernie Durazo said. "He's really working and adjusting to see the ball."
The offensive adjustments are the small things the team has stressed during practice.
"We're taking it easy during practice and batting practice, especially now towards the end of season," Durazo said.
Right fielder Shelly Duncan had a blistering series, hitting three home runs with 10 RBIs in the series. Saturday, he hammered a neck-high fastball for his conference-leading 19th home run of the season.
Friday, Arizona won 19-7, in seven innings, again to the mercy rule. Duncan became the second UA player to hit for the cycle, going 5 for 5 with six RBIs. The triple was his first of the season.
Hassey also went 4 for 4 with a double and four runs scored.
The Wildcats won the series opener Thursday, 14-9. Durazo led the offense with four hits along with a double. Center fielder Brian Anderson also had four hits along with three RBIs.
The break from the Pac-10 Conference schedule allowed the team to relax and focus on the last half of the season.
"We played hard this weekend and maintained our focus. (The series) helps us get ready for the Pac-10 (season) and get rid of some bad habits," Durazo said.
Goodman agreed the break in schedule improved team morale.
"Everyone got a boost of confidence from this weekend," he said.
