By
Brett Erickson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Wildcats have achieved a lot this season; NCAA title next?
The Arizona softball team has had one thought in its mind since last May's College World Series semifinal loss to the Oklahoma Sooners.
Not winning the Pacific 10 Conference title for the first time in three seasons. Not returning to the CWS and trying to claim the school's sixth softball title.
Winning this years NCAA Championship is the only goal for No. 1 Arizona.
"It would be extremely, extremely, extremely disappointing," senior Lindsey Collins said about the possibility of not claiming the title in Oklahoma City May 24-28.
Arizona (54-4 overall, 16-2 Pac-10) certainly has the tools in place to win it all. The Wildcats are tops in the nation in pitching (0.65 ERA), batting (.343) and defense (.980 fielding percentage).
They've also got arguably one of the program's most talented senior classes ever. Senior Toni Mascarenas leads the team with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs, and is second in hitting (.400).
Seniors Lauren Bauer and Nicole Giordano have been the catalysts for Arizona's explosive offense, which has outscored opponents 424-48. Bauer, who moved back to her lead-off spot in the order this season, leads the Pac-10 in hitting with a .438 mark and has also stolen 36 bases in 41 attempts.
Giordano, who bats second and is hitting .393, and Bauer have set the tables all season for the team's power hitters.
"Just to have them on our team is a blessing," senior Allison Andrade said. "Having them in our one-two spots is such an intimidation factor for the other team."
As a team, the Wildcats have clubbed an NCAA-record 108 home runs, which broke the old record of 100 set by the 1995 Wildcats.
While the seniors have provided a strong dose of production and leadership, Arizona has received plenty of support from its other players.
Junior Jennie Finch, a strong NCAA Player of the Year candidate, has been near-perfect all season in the pitching circle. Finch (26-0), leads the nation with a minuscule 0.25 ERA and has performed big in several key games, including wins against then-No. 1 UCLA and defending champion Oklahoma.
Also, Arizona's freshman have exceeded expectations. Mackenzie Vandergeest played her way into the starting line-up in fall practice and has given Arizona some power from the lower part of the order. Vandergeest, who usually bats seventh, has 16 long balls and is also batting .368.
Leneah Manuma, who redshirted last season due to a knee injury, is second on the team with 17 home runs. Perhaps her biggest contribution to the team came in the rematch with Oklahoma, where she hit two homers to lead Arizona to a 6-2 win.
Jenny Gladding has also performed well in her first UA season, going 12-2 in the pitching circle while batting .340.
Despite the strong showings by the freshmen, it's been the seniors and Finch who have risen to the challenge in several big games, including:
o Trailing 2-0 in the sixth inning to ASU April 14, Collins knocked a two-out, two-run homer to tie the game, which Arizona. Down 3-2 in the seventh, Giordano doubled home Bauer to force extra innings, and the Wildcats went on to win 4-3 in the ninth.
o The previous night against the Sun Devils, Finch went 11 innings in the circle and held ASU scoreless. She ended the game in the 11th with a three-run home run.
o Down 6-1 against Fresno State, Andrade hit two home runs to bring Arizona back in the game. She singled home the winning run in the ninth for the Arizona win.
All four of these dramatic wins came at Hillenbrand Stadium, where the Wildcats extended their home winning streak to 41 games this season. They are four shy of the school record.
Arizona hosts No. 2 UCLA Friday and No. 12 Washington Saturday before next weekend's NCAA Regional, which the Wildcats will likely host.
Despite these lofty numbers, the team has not lost sight of the goal stated on their 2001 media guide - On a Mission. And that mission won't be complete unless Arizona wins their final game of the season.
"The process started way back in September," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "Now we just have to go out and take the final exam."
