Bridget O'Brien/UCLA Daily Bruin Arizona sophomore outfielder Crystal Farley is safe after beating a throw during action against UCLA this weekend in Los Angeles. Farley finished 2-of-6 with one RBI and a run scored in two games against the Bruins this weekend.

Hollowell records two shutouts and three wins during tough road trip

Age is nothing but a number, or so freshman pitcher Alicia Hollowell told two of the top teams in the nation this weekend.

Hollowell (24-2) showed a few signs of fatigue but pitched in the 5-1 victory over No. 1 UCLA, serving up the Bruins on their home field for the second time in one weekend.

"Hollowell competed tremendously and found a way to win," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "She threw a good ball game, but wasn't as sharp as she was (Saturday), but that's to be expected. She took what she had and competed and was successful. That's a trait for a good pitcher."

Junior Wendy Allen's single started the momentum for Arizona. She eventually stole home base to put UA ahead 1-0.

It may have been an inexperienced pitcher on the mound that got the job done for the Wildcats in the field, but like so many times this season, it was experience of senior shortstop Lovie Jung at the plate that gave UA its third win of the weekend.

The senior did so dramatically by blasting a grand slam, her fifth of the season, in the final inning.

The Bruins were able to put one run on the board, but did so too late, when senior Natasha Watley hit a single shot before they were handed their second loss of the weekend.

Hollowell give up five hits while striking out just four batters.

She ended the weekend 3-0 and recorded two shutouts.

"This weekend was a very important bench mark to see where we're at, and we responded very well," Candrea said. "What a nice thing to see, we cashed in on (the opportunities) and did the things you need to do in close ballgames. We outplayed them."

The Bruins fell to the young UA pitcher on Saturday, with a 3-0 shutout performance thrown by Hollowell.

A three-run second inning was all it took to get the job done.

Allen scored the first run off of a Crystal Farley single. Freshman Autumn Champion batted in a run with a single to left field and then freshman Shelly Schultz scored off of a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Courtney Fossatti.

Hollowell was able to hold the Bruins scoreless while striking out two batters, and gave up just one hit.

The shutout marked the Wildcats' 26th shutout performance so far this season.

Arizona started the weekend with a 3-0 shutout against No. 3 Washington in which two of its runs came in the first inning.

Hollowell pitched all seven innings, struck out 12 batters and allowed only two UW hits.

Despite the team's dominance this weekend, Candrea said it can only stay confident for a couple of days, because come Tuesday the team will begin practicing for its next opponents.

"The thing about the Pac-10 is that we'll enjoy this for 24 hours and then its time to get back to Stanford and Cal," Candrea said. "Every game you have to have your best foot forward or you're vulnerable to be beat. We need to rest and recuperate, and get our game plan together."

While Hollowell will continue to work the ace spot for UA, Candrea's hoping that experience will lead the team to what it is ultimately working for, an NCAA title.

"We've got enough people who've gone through (the program) that know the process," Candrea said. "You have to keep plugging away and playing hard. You can't get too high or too low."

The Wildcats return to action this weekend at UAÎs Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium, beginning with No. 11 Stanford on Friday and No. 6 California on Saturday and Sunday.