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CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat
Freshman Alicia Hollowell looks to pitch UA back into the win column at home this weekend.
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By Lindsey Manroel
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Tuesday February 11, 2003
"Next Generation"
The UA softball team makes its first home appearance as it plays host to the Pepsi Arizona Softball Classic this weekend.
Arizona (10-1) kicks off the weekend against Minnesota on Friday followed by Northwestern later that night.
On Saturday, No. 2 Arizona faces Florida International, followed by Arkansas.
Washington is the only Pacific 10 Conference team that travels to the desert this weekend.
The Wildcats finish the tournament against the Huskies on Sunday.
End of the road ·
The Wildcats saw their 10-game winning streak snapped when they faced the No. 12 team, University of Texas, that concluded the Fiesta Bowl Tournament on Sunday.
Prior to that loss, Arizona had won its first five games of the tournament, including three shutout performances.
The Wildcats also shut out four teams in the Louisville Slugger Tournament. In all seven of the teams 10 wins came with the opposing team netting a goose egg.
Going, going, gone
Although the Wildcats lost UA junior first baseman and power hitter Leneah Manuma to academic ineligibility earlier this year, senior Lovieanne Jung has had no problems replacing her.
In last weekend's tournament, Jung hit five home runs öö including a grand slam against Mississippi State öö and had 11 runs batted in.
With a .474 batting average, the senior leads her team in both categories.
Junior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest hasn't had any problems at the plate either.
Vandergeest hit a home run in Sunday's 9-2 win over Mississippi State.
She also hit a grand slam in the Louisville Slugger Tournament against Sam Houston and hit a home run against Auburn.
The next Jennie Finch?
After Hollowell threw her first no-hitter in Saturday's 1-0 win over Wisconsin, any disbelievers in the young Suisan, Calif. native may have found their answer.
Hollowell (5-1) ended the Fiesta Bowl Tournament 2-1 with a 0.33 ERA.
With two shutouts under her belt and an overall 0.17 ERA, the young Wildcat is proving why she is Arizona's starting pitcher.
Arizona has yet to play a game at home and already the UA freshman has pitched 42 innings and has struck out 66 batters.
Candrea's next achievement:
UA head coach Mike Candrea is on his way to reach the next milestone in his career ÷ the 1,000 win mark.
In his 17 years as the man in charge of Arizona softball, Candrea has accumulated a 936-185 record and a .835 winning percentage.
He has already brought home six NCAA and Pac-10 Championships and is hoping that this season brings home lucky number seven.