At least the weather's been nice for the Eastern Michigan University softball team.

The team is spending its winter recess in Tucson, of all places, and the Wildcats dominated them 11-0 during last weekend's Worth Wildcat Invitational.

EMU will look for redemption when it faces Arizona in a rematch at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium at 4 p.m. today.

The Eagles battled to a 2-3 record during the Wildcat Invitational, and their winter recess also included a contest at Arizona State last night. They will compete again in Tucson this weekend at the Hillenbrand Invitational

Today's contest will provide the Wildcats (17-2) a chance to see some of thier first midweek action of the season during a string of four straight weekend tournaments.

"This time of year, it's important to practice, but it's nice to get in some games during the middle of the week," head coach Mike Candrea said.

The Wildcats are coming off a tournament that may have seen their best combination of offense and pitching this season. They outscored the opposition 49-4 over the five-game span, including three shutouts.

UA raised its team batting average from .320 to .352 after clobbering 13 home runs during the tournament.

While senior pitcher Jennie Finch is fresh off her NCAA-record 51st consecutive victory, sophomore Jenny Gladding has been equally impressive of late, allowing only two earned runs as her last four victories.

The duo has combined to strike out 156 batters in just 19 games and is starting to show the dominant form that the Wildcat coaches anticipated.

"Our pitching is getting to where it needs to be," Candrea said of his staff, which has seven shutouts in nine games.

Assistant coach Larry Ray realizes that when Eastern Michigan met his team last weekend, it was just the opening day of its season. While he expects the Eagles to be better, he said playing the same opponent for the second time in a week will help his team as well.

"We really know a little more about (Eastern Michigan), so we can go out and feel more comfortable as far as defensive positioning," Ray said.

The Wildcats should already feel comfortable considering the stadium that will surround them. Playing at home for the third consecutive week, the Wildcats will look to build on a 57-game Hillenbrand winning streak - the longest in program history.