A lot of freshman athletes sit out much of their first season, watching and learning the ropes of big-time college athletics.

That is, a lot of athletes who don't play for UA head baseball coach Andy Lopez.

"Once you get into the program and get your feet wet, you are no longer considered a freshman. (Lopez) does a good job of recruiting," said freshman shortstop Jason Donald. "He gets his type of player and we all gel together." [Read article]

The Arizona baseball team will get a sneak preview tonight into what many players hope will be an everyday occurrence in the future.

The Wildcats (15-11-1, 4-2 Pacific 10 Conference) will play the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders tonight at 6:30 in an exhibition game at Tucson Electric Park.

It will be a chance for the team to face professional talent and get a taste of what playing professional baseball is all about. [Read article]

This one's for you, Dale. That was the sentiment Rec-N-Crew took with them on their road to this year's intramural softball championship game.

The names may have changed over the years with the faces, but the bond has always been the same: Play ball, have fun, leave it all on the field. After shutting down its last opponent by a score of 28-11 to claim the Cactus League title, a jubilant Rec-N-Crew squad attributed the win to the founding father of the Student Recreation Center's intramural squad, Dale Patterson. [Read article]

The sun is coming down on another spring practice for the men's lacrosse team. Helmeted players flock to center field, while two captains bark out line formations. The players sit and stretch out their fatigue; the head coach, dressed in casual anonymity, joins the captains on the front line.

Bryan Moore looks on from the bleachers. A slight wind disturbs the field and appears to be doing the same to the Laxcats' assistant coach. [Read article]