By
Brett Erickson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Arizona returns 7 starters, is well-balanced across the field
Head softball coach Mike Candrea knows he has a special team this season. With seven returning starters - six of whom received All-American status last season - and a deep pitching rotation, the Wildcats are poised to make a run for the school's sixth NCAA title.
Even with a loaded offensive lineup and eight seniors on his 15-woman squad, Candrea does not like to talk about just winning a championship. The effort, not the result, is what counts most, he believes.
"I think any effort less than what it takes to win a title will be disappointing," said Candrea, in his 16th season as head coach of the UA softball team.
This "one-day-at-a-time" philosophy has helped keep the team from overlooking what needs to be done between now and May 24 in Oklahoma City, junior pitcher Jennie Finch said.
With opening day looming next Friday in Tampa, Fla., the Arizona Daily Wildcat has broken the team down by position.
Pitcher
If the keys to winning national championships are pitching and defense, Arizona looks to be halfway there. The Wildcats return two All-Americans from last year: senior Becky Lemke and Finch. The duo combined for a 59-9 record last season to go along with a .99 ERA.
"Pitching, I think, is going to be a strength; we're going to be very solid on the mound," Candrea said.
For Finch, who threw three no-hitters last year, having two dominating starters not only helps the team, but also both pitchers.
"I know if I do bad, she'll be there, and if she's not having her day, I'll be there," she said. "It's just really good to know that there's other pitchers to do the job."
Having two quality starters is especially important because of the nature of Arizona's schedule. The Wildcats play in six tournaments this season in which they play at least five games in the span of three days.
Because four of these tournaments are in February, Candrea plans on using a third pitcher - freshman Jenny Gladding - on a fairly consistent basis. This move, Candrea hopes, will help motivate each pitcher to be at the top of her game for Pacific-10 Conference games.
"I think if you're an athlete and you're competing for pitching time, then obviously it should help you," Candrea said. "I think right now we've got a solid staff that I wouldn't trade with anyone."
Catcher
Returning as the team's defensive anchor behind the plate is senior Lindsey Collins. Last season, Collins tied Finch for the team lead in home runs with 16 and drove in a team-high 68 runs. She also finished first in total bases (126), third in runs scored (47) and third in walks (27).
Even with these impressive offensive numbers, the best part of Collins' game could be her defense. Last season, she recorded the second-best fielding percentage (.998) in school history, committing only one error in 557 opportunities.
After starting all 68 games last season, Collins will see less action this year as Candrea wants to make sure his star player is rested for the College World Series.
"This year, I feel like we don't have to catch Lindsey every ballgame," Candrea said. "Last year she suffered a little bit because of catching every game. This year we're blessed because*/ I think we have good depth in the catching spot because of Mackenzie Vandergeest back there."
Vandergeest, a freshman from Newbury Park, Calif., should benefit the same way Collins did in her first year at UA by getting a few starts.
"I'd rather be back there all the time, but I don't mind because Mackenzie needs to get some playing time," Collins said.
Infield
On the left side of the infield are third baseman Toni Mascarenas and shortstop Allison Andrade, both seniors. The two give Arizona an excellent balance of defensive stability and offensive production. Mascarenas finished second on the team in hitting last season with a .374 average and led the Wildcats at the College World Series with a .455 mark. Her 51 RBI were third on the team.
Andrade, who transferred to Arizona last season, hit .335 and drove in 53 runs, second-best on the team.
"Allison was a huge key to our success for us last year. She played a very stable shortstop for us and contributed very well offensively," Candrea said.
Andrade partially credits her defensive abilities to Mascarenas's quick feet and wide range at third base.
"It's going to help me a lot because she covers so much ground, which is going to give me a chance to cover a lot ground up the middle," Andrade said.
Mascarenas agreed that the two have excellent communication skills and know where the other is going to be.
On the right side, the Wildcats lost second baseman Katie Swan to graduation last year, which opens up the spot for Lisha Ribellia. The sophomore started 18 games last season as the team's designated hitter and had a .167 batting average and 10 runs scored.
At first base, Finch will get the call on games she is not pitching. Finch tied for the team lead in home runs last season with 16 and also led the Wildcats in slugging percentage (.644).
When Finch pitches, redshirt freshman Leneah Manuma will get the nod. Manuma sat out last season because of a knee injury, but her return has players and coaches excited about the team's power at the plate.
Outfield
Candrea knows that seniors Lauren Bauer and Nicole Giordano will be starting in left and center, but he has yet to decide who will play where. Last season Giordano played center field, but she might move to left if Bauer's right shoulder has completely recovered from surgery.
"Truthfully, I think Lauren is our quickest kid who could probably cover the most ground," Candrea said. "My biggest concern with her is her arm strength trying to get back from shoulder surgery last year."
No matter where they play in the field, the Wildcats are counting on a lot of offense from the two. Giordano, who batted lead-off last season and figures to be in the same spot this year, led the team in hitting with a .436 average, the 10th best in UA history. She also had a team-high 98 hits, moving her to eighth all time at Arizona.
Bauer also stood out at the plate, as she led the team in steals (38 on 40 attempts) and finished third in batting average (.356)
The one position where Candrea is still undecided is right field. The three candidates are senior Erika Hanson, freshman Kim Balkan and Vandergeest. Hanson, the likely starter, played in 55 games last year and hit .254 for the Wildcats. She said Candrea's method of not naming a starter has helped her work harder for the position.
Candrea said the deciding factor will be who gives Arizona the best balance.
"I think the key is going to be offensively, who is going to be able to produce, and defensively, who is going to give us some stability out there," he said.
