KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Third baseman Jackie Colburn picks up a foul ball in Arizona's 1-0 win against defending champion California.

Top-ranked Wildcats look to keep current hot streak alive at Oregon and Oregon State

Just a day before the No. 1 Arizona softball team (42-4) was to take on in-state rival ASU on the Sun Devil's home field, junior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest said that UA plays better on the road.

Vandergeest, in a four-RBI effort, proved her point as the Wildcats defeated ASU for the third straight time, 4-2.

In an effort to keep their 12-game road win streak alive, the Wildcats take on the Oregon schools, starting tonight in Eugene, Oregon.

"We're not worried on the road, and play our best on the road," Vandergeest said. "We're staying focused, playing our game and keeping the intensity up."

In their last series against the Ducks and the Beavers, the Wildcats sent both teams home with a loss.

On March 28, UA defeated Oregon State 8-0 and then swept Oregon, 4-1 and 8-0.

All three games were played in the comfort of UA's Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium, where the Wildcats have a 329-21 all-time home record.

With six of the team's last eight regular season games on the road, head coach Mike Candrea stressed the importance of staying sharp and winning away from home.

"We've got to learn to play on the road," Candrea said. "It's an important weekend for us and we need to take steps forward."

The Wildcats sent a packed house of 1,579 ö the second largest home crowd in ASU history ö home with yet another loss.

Senior Lovie Jung's offensive abilities were respected in the last two games, as the shortstop was intentionally walked in all four at-bats, putting the weight of the Arizona offense on Vandergeest's shoulders.

In the top of the third inning, Vandergeest answered with a sacrifice fly, scoring sophomore outfielder Courtney Fossatti.

ASU answered by tying the score during its first inning at the plate off of a run scored by center fielder Kristin Farber.

Vandergeest drove in her second RBI in the third inning, singling to right field and scoring Fossatti once again.

ASU's Phelan Wright tied the game with a single home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, leaving it up to Vandergeest to drive in the game winner.

It was the combination of Vandergeest and Fossatti once again, as well as an intentional walk to Jung, which advanced UA ahead of the Sun Devils.

In the top of the seventh inning, Vandergeest drove in her final two RBIs ÷ and all four UA runs ÷ with a double to center field, giving the Wildcats their final lead, 4-2.

UA freshman pitcher Alicia Hollowell (28-3) pitched in the winning effort for all seven innings while allowing three hits.

Arizona continues its road trip next weekend, beginning with the defending champions, California, followed by a two-game stint against Stanford.

The Wildcats return home for their final two games of the season against UCLA, followed by Washington.

Tonight's first pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.