Wildcats need 2 victories to reach magic number

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat UA first baseman Kenny Corley attempts a tag back during the Wildcats' series against Southern Cal earlier in the season. Arizona is trying to get to the postseason but will need big wins at Stanford to get there.

With 15 conference wins, the Wildcats (32-17, 13-14 in the Pacific 10 Conference Southern Division) would almost certainly receive a bid to a regional, said Jim Callis, College Baseball Editor of Baseball America.

"It's a grey area," Callis said. "The selection committee usually takes a team with 15 conference wins."

"I am sure that they (UA) feel the same as us," Southern Cal head coach Mike Gillespie said. "They think that they need the 15 wins. There is nothing written in stone about 15 wins and the mentality may not be correct, but there is a feeling that you must be at .500."

Arizona has to take two of three games against Stanford on the road to reach 15. The Cardinal is ranked third in the nation and is on track to become conference champions. Earlier this season, Stanford took two of three in Tucson. The games, however, were fairly close, with the Cardinal outscoring Arizona 21-16 all together.

"We need to play well and be focused (this weekend)," Arizona head coach Jerry Stitt said. "Stanford is very tough at home."

The Wildcats' non-conference performances against ranked teams and back-to-back sweeps by UCLA and USC could become major factors in keeping Arizona out of regional play.

"If they don't make it, it will be because they did not play well against (Cal State) Fullerton and Texas A&M, and were swept by the California schools," Callis said.

Then-No. 12 Cal-State Fullerton swept the Wildcats at Sancet Field in early February, outscoring Arizona 51-28 in the process. The Wildcats lost a close series to then-No. 7 Texas A&M, two games to one.

"You can make a case as to why Arizona should go," Callis said. "But Fullerton, A&M and the two sweeps really hurt their chances."

The fact that Arizona plays in the Six-Pac, one of the toughest divisions in college baseball, could help and hurt its playoff hopes.

"They had a tough schedule, playing many games against top-ranked teams," Callis said. "However, they are 8-19 against those teams."

Arizona's two of three games against No. 11 Arizona State last weekend and that could prove favorable in their chances of making a regional.

"There is no argument that they don't belong," Gillespie said. "What they did this weekend is remarkable."

The Wildcats have not seen postseason play since 1993, when they finished 35-26 overall and 16-14 in the Six-Pac. Stitt, who was the hitting coach for that squad, said he does not see a lot of comparisons in the 1993 and the 1997 teams.

"They are totally different kinds of teams," Stitt said. "We (1993) won by pounding people. This team (1997) can put the runs out, but can really play defense."

Defense could be the key element in continuing the season in a regional.

"We have been trying to teach the guys all year that offense wins games, but defense wins championships," Stitt said.

The defense has been a great asset to the club, but Gillespie feels that it is Arizona's pitching that has led to its turnaround.

"Most of their position players played last year, and we always knew that they could hit," Gillespie said. "We realized that if their pitching improved, they could beat anybody. It is a great credit to Jerry and (Arizona pitching coach) Bill (Kinneberg) a s to how the team has developed."

With the improvement this season - the Wildcats were 7-23 in the Six-Pac last season - Arizona has gained support from more than just locals.

"If they get there," Gillespie said, "I certainly will be pulling for them."