Thursday October 11, 2001

"Fall Ball"- UA's offseason workout program - began Tuesday with a five-inning intersquad game. The Arizona white team knocked off the gray team 3-0, scoring all three runs in the bottom of the third inning off of sophomore Chris Goodman.

Catcher Ken Riley led off with a double to right field and advanced to third on a wild pitch before third baseman Justyn St. Clair walked. With runners on the corners, centerfielder Clayton Bried singled, scoring Riley. St.Clair and Bried advanced to third and second after right fielder Pat Rielly misplayed the ball.

Junior Rene Arriaga followed with a single up the middle, driving in both runs.

First-year head coach Andy Lopez said he wasn't satisfied with the performance, though he noted it's still too early to make any definitive statements.

"I would give today about a C grade just based on the way we played," Lopez said. "Today was not very good, but we'll get that corrected."

One bright spot from Tuesday's game was the play of Arizona's pitchers.

Sophomore Sean Rierson pitched three shutout innings and allowed one hit in the white team's victory.

Sophomore Tony Sulser came on in relief in the fourth and faced the minimum six batters. He struck out the side, all swinging, in the sixth inning.

For the gray team, Goodman allowed three runs on four hits. Senior Kevin Sears relieved in the fourth and gave up a lone hit.

The pitchers were only allowed to throw fastballs and changeups but weren't fazed by the limited pitches.

"I felt pretty good, but it's just the beginning," Goodman said.

It didn't take long for Lopez to introduce a hustle mentality to the team.

Right fielder Chris Marini singled in the bottom of the third. He later stole second and third but was stranded.

After Marini walked in the first inning, he was sent back to the plate after he reached first by Lopez. He then sprinted to first to correct the mistake of not hustling.

Several players during the game were sent back to the plate and forced to run down the line again.

After the game, Lopez lined up all position players at home. Each individual player sprinted to first after an imaginary walk.

Once the group finished, Lopez simulated a fly-out situation. The players had to round first, wait for Lopez to announce the ball was caught and then sprint to the third-base home dugout.

The players welcomed Lopez's attitude.

"He wants our team to be more presentable and get in our minds we won't give up," Marini said.

Players wore actual game jerseys in Tuesday's scrimmage. Three umpires were used - behind home plate, first and second base. Lopez and two other assistant coaches roamed throughout the field in white baseball pants and blue Arizona baseball T-shirts. The jerseys brought a different feeling to the scrimmage.

"It was our first time to play in the uniforms; everyone was excited in the locker room to put them on," Goodman said.

The next fall ball game starts at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow while Saturday's game begins at 11 a.m. Both are at Sancet Field