Two new faces will fill two prominent roles on the Arizona pitching staff this season.

California junior college pitcher of the year Richie Gardner will be the Wildcats' third starter in the rotation this season. He will most likely start the third and final game of most series, following juniors Sean Rierson and Joe Little.

The Santa Rosa transfer won the job outright for his strong performance during fall workouts, assistant coach Mark Wasikowski said.

Gardner earned all-California state honors two years ago but missed all of his sophomore season last year because of a bout with mono.

Arizona's usual Sunday starter, Marc Kaiser, who transferred to Lewis and Clark State, was also the regular left fielder.

Indian River Community College transfer Mark Worrell will be the designated closer.

The sophomore will add some much-needed stability to a staff that did not have a regular closer all throughout last season.

Junior center fielder Brian Anderson held that role at the beginning of last year, but sprained his knee early in the season. Tony Sulser spelled the outfielder for two months, eventually relinquishing the job upon Anderson's recovery.

"Last year no one could really close for us," Wasikowski said. "Outfield is Brian's natural position but last year he filled a need for us."

The Wildcats will defend the infield with familiar faces, though only one will be at his regular position.

Junior Moises Duran and sophomore John Hardy will play third and shortstop respectively. Sophomore Pat Reilly returns to first base.

Last season Duran hit .272 and started 49 games, most at second base. Hardy played third and had a three-game stint at second last season. He led the team in hitting with a .324 average.

Freshman Trevor Crowe is the leading candidate to become the everyday second baseman.

During off-season workouts, all infielders except Reilly split time at all other positions, courtesy of the new Wildcat depth.

"It's kind of tough but we all know the basic characteristics of all three positions," Duran said. "It makes me a better baseball player by knowing all three well and what to expect."

Freshmen Brad Boyer, Jordan Brown, Lee Franklin, Ray Neal Alex Ortega, David Phillips and Kris Sanchez, as well as junior Zack Bies are all backups.

The construction of three new batting cages next to the Wildcat bullpen was completed last December.

The cages have many new features, like a roof, astroturf, artificial lighting, soft toss stations and a pitching machine

During winter break the Arizona coaching staff left the cages open.

"The cages are great because we're out of the sun. I took advantage (of the open cages) and took some extra cuts over break," Duran said.

New cages won't necessarily mean high batting averages, Duran said, but the pitchers are hopeful to enjoy the benefits.

"More runs means we get to relax a little that makes our jobs a little easier," junior pitcher Chris Goodman said.