UA's Pitt fills holes everywhere on field

Ryan A. Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat UA sophomore Lisa Pitt will be facing UCLA for the first time as shortstop on Saturday. As a freshman, Pitt was a starting pitcher.

The Wildcats beat UCLA, 5-1 and Pitt's recorded her first collegiate victory. Four monthes she had19 wins and a national championship ring, in which she was a vitale part of winning.

This Saturday, the Wildcats return to Los Angeles and Pitt will again face the Bruins, only now she is back to where she was recruited, as the starting shortstop.

"I'm a lot more relaxed," Pitt said. "Going into their field as a freshman I was really nervous. This year I'm more relaxed."

Candrea's decision to move Pitt to shortstop was not entirely unexpected. With the return of stand-out pitcher Nancy Evans, who was forced to take a medical redshirt last season with a broken right foot, there wasn't a spot for her on the rotation.

Last season when Pitt wasn't starting on the mound, she usually found a home at first base.

"Lisa Pitt is a very good athlete. I thought she did a very good job last year," Candrea said. "I recruit athletes, that's the whole key. Sometimes the best athletes are your high school shortstops."

The dilemma came this season when Evans returned to the circle and Olympian Leah O'Brien took Pitt's spot at first base. Candrea already had Michelle Churnock at shortstop, but decided to try Pitt there anyway.

Pitt became the starting shortstop and Churnock made the move to second base. With Leah Braatz-Cochrane back after the birth of her son and the move of Lety Pineda to third base, Candrea had built an entirely new infield from last season.

"I think we play better defense than last year at this time," Candrea said. "I think Lisa's played very well. She has great anticipation and a great arm. I think she'll continue to improve."

Being away from the circle, where she was so successful, would be hard for many players, but for Pitt it's part of the game.

"Wherever he (Candrea) needs me, whatever he needs me to do, I'm going to give it 110%," Pitt said. "It doesn't really bother me. I still pitch a little in practice. If he ever needs me, I'll be ready."

Despite a pitching record of 19-3 and a ERA of 2.05, a fielding percentage of .981 and a batting average of .284 with seven home runs, Pitt was overlooked for any postseason awards.

"It's kind of inspirational," Pitt said. "To look around at all of these (All-American) players. It's a goal (to become one), they inspire me to work harder."

With All-American Carrie Dolan and Evans in the circle, Pitt would have seen little time there.

"I don't think there are enough games to keep three pitchers sharp," Candrea said. " You need to be in shape, but you also need to be in pitching shape and to be in pitching shape, you need innings."

With the UA's 47-game winning streak ended over the weekend with the first loss of the season (3-0 to Oregon State), Pitt wants to get back the winning ways.

"I don't like to lose, it could have been (against) anyone," Pitt said. "It's setting a little fire under us. We were all really upset after it."