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Arizona faces Lady Cajuns in weekend homestand

By Dan Komyati
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Friday Mar. 22, 2002

After weathering a snowstorm in Utah and some tough competition at the Kia Classic, the Arizona softball team returns home this weekend for a three-game series with No. 18 Louisiana-Lafayette.

In their last tune-up before heading into Pacific 10 Conference play, the Wildcats face the Lady Cajuns in a rematch from last weekend at 7 p.m.

On March 15, No. 3 Arizona defeated the Lady Cajuns 1-0 behind a one-hitter from senior pitcher Jennie Finch during the Kia Classic in Fullerton, Calif.

While Finch and sophomore pitcher Jenny Gladding have done their part to shut down the opposition thus far this season, it has been UA's usually steady offense that has disappeared in the team's setbacks.

During the Wildcats' (28-4) four road losses, they have managed just four runs, and the lack of production has raised some concern from head coach Mike Candrea.

"Youth has a lot to do with it," said Candrea of his team's 7-4 record away from home. "I'm concerned (about the road play) it's been the (lack) of offense."

While his Wildcats find themselves within the friendly atmosphere of Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium this weekend, Candrea knows that their opposition will not make this an easy series.

"Louisiana-Lafayette is a very good team, it'll be a tough weekend," Candrea said. "Every game is important for us right now, hopefully we can put some things together and gain some momentum."

Though their 20-game winning streak was snapped in Fullerton, Calif., the Wildcats still own a school record 65-game winning streak at Hillenbrand - including a 21-0 mark this season.

Equally impressive, Arizona has outscored its opponents this season 231-36, and has been paced offensively by junior shortstop Lovie Jung's 40 hits and 37 runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Leneah Manuma has also powered the club with 15 home runs - just four shy of her freshman mark - and 51 RBIs.

"It's really important for us to come out and get some wins," Manuma said. "This (weekend) will be good preparation for us going into Pac-10 play."

While she has been red-hot recently at the plate, the Wildcats clean-up hitter is hoping to have some more good at-bats this weekend and continue to hit the ball hard.

"I've been feeling comfortable and just trying to stay comfortable," Manuma said. "I'm just trying to see the ball and put it in play and let things happen."

If things happen as the Wildcats would like over the weekend, then their head coach will find himself reaching yet another milestone.

Candrea stands one victory shy of becoming just the fifth Division I head coach to earn 900 career wins.

But as he has always preached to his players during his 17 seasons at Arizona, personal accomplishments take a backseat to the performance of the team - even those of his own.

Joked Candrea of the milestone, "It just means I'm getting old."

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