CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman Autumn Champion and the No. 2 Arizona softball team finished 5-1 in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Phoenix following a 2-1 loss No. 12 Texas on Sunday.

Sooner or later, it was bound to happen.

Whenever you have two great pitchers on the mound öö like UA freshman Alicia Hollowell and University of Texas sophomore Cat Osterman öö the team that makes the least mistakes wins.

So it was only natural that when No. 2 Arizona committed its first error in six games last night at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament in Phoenix, it was about to experience its first loss of the season, a 2-1 heartbreaker to No. 12 Texas.

"When you get great pitchers on the mound like Hollowell and Osterman, the team that makes the big plays wins. Texas made the plays," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "Alicia gave up one error, the only one of weekend, that ended up costing us a run. We had a chance in the seventh inning but couldn't score."

Candrea said he wasn't too concerned with the loss and is looking at the big picture.

"We're making progress, which is most important this time of year," Candrea said. "My biggest concern is that we continue to grow both offensively and defensively. Improvement is the key word for us and we have the chance to be a good team."

Despite the loss, Arizona's weekend wasn't disappointing.

After being beaten 7-1 in last year's Fiesta Bowl Tournament by Mississippi State, the Wildcats toppled the Bulldogs this year, with a 9-2 victory yesterday.

Down 2-0, UA freshman Michelle Schultz hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning to tie the game.

UA sparked its first lead thanks to back-to-back home runs from senior shortstop Lovieanne Jung öö who hit a grand slam öö and junior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest.

"Lovie had good at-bats the entire weekend," Candrea said. "We have a lot of bright spots. I've been preaching being mentally prepared and we did a good job this weekend."

Before the loss to Texas, Hollowell began the weekend literally un-hittable.

Hollowell struck out 12 batters in seven innings against Wisconsin in her first no-hitter as a Wildcat. She was helped out offensively by a homerun by sophomore Jackie Coburn. "Alicia will give us some stability on the mound," Candrea said. "She threw very well this weekend and she has what it takes to become a very good pitcher."

During game one of the tournament on Friday, Hollowell picked up where she left off in the USF Louisville Slugger Tournament.

With remarkable pitching on the mound, the UA freshman led the Wildcats to a 6-0 victory against Texas A&M.

Hollowell was near flawless, striking out a season-high 15 batters and allowing just one hit and one walk. Later that day, Arizona defeated Southwest Texas State 4-0.

The Wildcats öö who have won 10 of their last 11 games on the road öö hope to meet the same results this weekend when they kick off the Pepsi Arizona Softball Classic at home.

"Every time this team goes out there, they're learning more about themselves and gaining experience, which is important for a young team," Candrea said. "It'll be good to get back to Hillenbrand, (and this weekend) will be a good challenge for us."