The Wildcat baseball team fought off a six-run rally in the ninth inning to beat Cal State-Dominguez Hills 13-9 yesterday at Sancet Field.

UA starting pitcher James Johnson (1-0) allowed only one run in five innings of work. Reliever Jason Frierott took the game to the ninth, before giving up six runs. Matt Hendren, who was the winner in Friday's season opener, closed the game.

"Our pitcher in the end (Frierott) had a little control problem, and things just multiplied," Arizona head coach Jerry Kindall said.

Pitching coach Jim Wing was surprised at the way the pitching dropped off.

"It got away from us a little bit toward the end, but we are always grateful for a win," Wing said. "If we can win and give up six runs late in the ball game and learn from it, then we're okay."

The Wildcats (3-1) gave a hitting clinic with 13 runs on 19 hits, including a two-run home run by first baseman Brian Becker in the seventh inning.

"Our guys really swung the bat well," Kindall said. "That was very pleasant to watch."

Becker went 4-for-4 with four runs batted in. Leading the hit parade with Becker were left fielder Jeff Gjerde who went 3-4 with three RBI, and second baseman John Powers who had two RBI.

"I feel good right now," Gjerde said. "We're swinging the bats well right now."

The Toros made a valiant effort in the ninth inning sparked by a three-run double by shortstop Marc Gutfeld.

"These guys play hard, so playing against a team like this is good early in the year," Powers said. "They battled today."

The major achievement for the Wildcats in yesterday's game came in the way of defense. The normally error-prone defense gave an error-free performance.

"One of the big differences this year is the team defense," Powers said. "I feel like I'm fielding the ball pretty well just like everybody else is, it's contagious."

The game also gave both teams a chance to make lots of player substitutions.

"We want to create some depth on our team and that's why I'd like to look at more players than just the starters," Kindall said. "Who ever is in there, you can be sure the coaches have confidence that they have a good chance to help us win the ball game."

The series against the Toros will continue tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Sancet Field. The starting pitcher for the Toros will be senior Paul Gutierrez. Freshman Rob Shabansky will start for the Wildcats.