Wildcats shoot down the Eagles

Ryan A. Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat In this multiple exposure sequence, UA second baseman Erik Mattern connects with one of his three hits. UA completed the sweep of Eastern Michigan, 16-3.

The Wildcats (14-9) racked up 17 hits off of three Eagle pitchers (1-2) in the rout.

Junior right-hander David Quick (3-0) stayed perfect on the year, allowing four hits and two runs in five innings of work. He struck out two and did not allow a walk. Seth Kenny (0-1) lost his first start of the season for the Eagles.

"We pitched pretty well," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "Not as good as yesterday, but still pretty good."

Junior second baseman Erik Mattern continued his strong hitting, going 3-for-5 with three runs and two RBI. Mattern, who entered the game hitting .429 in 10 games, collected a double and a triple. Mattern is tied for the team lead with eight doubles on the year.

"We swung the bats pretty well, for the most part," Stitt said.

Junior center fielder Diego Rico has not cooled off, collecting a single and a double in four at-bats, in addition to scoring a run and an RBI. Rico's hitting streak has now reached 16 games.

Entering yesterday's contest, Rico was leading the team with a .451 batting average.

"I feel comfortable at the plate," Rico said. "When I go up there I look for a good pitch to hit, and when I get it I take a hack at it."

The ability to remain focused has proven to be an important factor in Arizona's success this week.

"We stayed focused the whole way through," Rico said. "That is something that hasn't been done in a while. That's a real positive for us."

Yesterday also marked the return of senior designated hitter Jeff Gjerde, who had been out with a broken hamate bone and nerve injury in his right hand.

"It's nice to have Jeff back in there," Stitt said. "He is a little rusty, but he will get it back."

Gjerde, who finished the day 1-for-5 with an RBI, said that the hand still hurts, but he is glad to be back in action.

"It hurts a little bit," Gjerde said. "It's something I have to deal with. It's just one swing and it goes away. I just want to get in there and hit again."

Gjerde is back just in time for conference play, which begins Friday when Arizona travels to California for a three-game set.

"I wanted to play and be back for Cal," Gjerde said. "It's really important and I think these two games have prepared us."