UA wins NCAA title game rematch

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat UA senior first baseman Leah O'Brien slides in safe ahead of Washington second baseman Sara Pickering during yesterday's game. O'Brien was 3-for-4 with two RBI.

"It was a step toward getting more experience for us more than anything else," Arizona head coach Mike Candrea said. "I think for us to play Washington early in the year is a good opportunity."

After doubleheaders against Northwestern State on Friday and Illinois-Chicago on Saturday, the Wildcats were ready for some competition. That competition came in form of an NCAA Championship game rematch against the Huskies. Scheduled to play a doubleheader, Washington opted instead for only one game before heading back to Seattle.

No doubt the best matchup in college softball so far this season, the 7-3 victory left little doubt as to the superiority of the Arizona team.

"I think this team has got a chance to be very special as long as we put the team in front of ourselves and our egos," Candrea said. "Everyone needs to be ready to play at all times."

The game was tied until the third inning when Alison Johnson hit a three-run triple. The Huskies matched it with a three-run homer in the bottom of the third, but that would be the last time they would score in the game. The Wildcats went on to pull away, scoring in every inning except for the fifth.

Arizona pitcher Carrie Dolan won her third game of the season, throwing for seven innings and allowing three earned runs. She said that she was experiencing difficulty with her pitches.

"I need a lot of work," Dolan said. "I am relying on one pitch right now and it's saving my butt."

Over the weekend, the Wildcats put up some impressive numbers. Lety Pineda hit four home runs and had eight RBI. Alison Johnson went 13-for-21 with two doubles, a triple, five stolen bases and 10 RBI. Leah O'Brien was 10 of 18 at the plate with a double, a triple and six RBI.