CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Former UA star Jennie Finch pitched in front of a sold-out crowd at the USA Olympic exhibition game at Rose Mofford stadium.

The Arizona softball team started the season with a school-record 34-game winning streak and just set the mark for most wins without a second loss.

The No. 1 ranked Wildcats (43-1, 7-0 Pacific 10 Conference) bested the 1994 team that finished 64-3 and the 1995 team that went 66-6. Both teams had a record of 38-1 before losing for a second time. The 1994 Wildcats won the national title.

"I think it is outstanding. I knew we were kind of close to some kind of record, but I don't really pay much attention to that," said acting head coach Larry Ray.

Meanwhile, sophomore pitcher Alicia Hollowell (30-0), with 70 career wins, is one victory away from No. 6 on the school's all-time chart. Her 764 career strikeouts already rank fourth in school history.

UA/USA game earns high ratings

Last month's game between Arizona and the USA Olympic team, which first aired the morning of April 10 on ESPN, earned an 0.7 rating, reaching 628,000 homes. The game, which was unadvertised, was ESPN's highest rated program of the day.

"Wow. I think there is a lot of curiosity about the USA softball team," Ray said when told of the rating. "I think (softball's) popularity is at an all-time high, and I think that is great."

The USA game is scheduled to air again July 6 at noon and July 18 at 10 a.m.

The game was one of only a handful of USA games that lasted the full seven innings, as the Americans crushed then-No. 2 UCLA a few days after beating Arizona 6-1.

"I just wish we could have given them a better game," Ray said.

Friday's game against No. 15 Oregon State will be taped by Fox Sports Net and will air at 1 p.m.

Cardiac Cats

According to the stats, the Wildcats are slapping around their opponents, but a number of their wins have been of the comeback and late-inning variety.

The UA has outscored foes 316-53, but is equally tough in close games and blowouts. About one-third of the Wildcats' games have been decided by three runs or less. Arizona is 14-1 in those games.

In its two wins over No. 4 California (37-8, 4-5), the UA's winning runs came in the final inning - senior catcher Mackenzie Vandergeest homered and freshman centerfielder Caitlin Lowe scored on a wild pitch.

Ray is happy about the Wildcats' fight, but wants them to understand that they can get a lead before the seventh inning.

"This team believes in itself, and that's a great sign," Ray said.

UA takes sole possession of first in Pac-10

No. 5 Washington (30-8, 6-1) lost to No. 14 Oregon (32-11, 6-3) last weekend, leaving Arizona alone in first place in the Pac-10.

No. 3 UCLA (29-6), softball's preseason No. 1, dropped its league record to 2-5 but won two of three on the Oregon Trail.

The only unranked school in the Pac-10, Arizona State, is 0-7 in conference play.

Wildcats have the fan vote

According to a poll on cstv.com, almost three of four fans think Arizona will win another national title.

According to the poll, 72 percent of fans think the Wildcats will win it all this season, followed by UCLA with 18 percent.

USA continues tour

In its first action since ending the college portion of its Aim for Athens Tour, the USA softball team spanked Italian club team Parma - and former Wildcat pitcher Jennie Finch bounced back.

The Americans took game one from Parma 17-0 and game two 19-0 last week. Finch combined with Texas pitcher Cat Osterman to earn one of Team USA's two no-hitters.

Former Wildcat Nicole Giordano went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in one of the contests.