Softball team off to California for doubleheader

Brian D. Rothschild Arizona Daily Wildcat UA junior pitcher Nancy Evans lets the ball fly during the Wildcats' game against University of Illinois-Chicago earlier in the season. Evans is looking to her 100th career win when Arizona travels to play Cal State-Northridge today.

The highlight of the quick road trip will be today's first game in which senior Nancy Evans will go for her 100th career victory as a Wildcat, joining an elite but short list which includes former All-Americans Carrie Dolan and Susie Parra, who are currently first and second with 103 and 101 wins respectively.

"Nancy has been our go-to pitcher for some time now and she is definitely our best," Arizona head coach Mike Candrea said.

Evans, 99-6 in her three-plus years at Arizona, has won all 11 of her starts this season and boasts an astounding 0.59 ERA in her 71 innings of work. She has also struck out 101 batters and tossed her third career no hitter Saturday.

Candrea continues to preach aggressive base running as the Wildcats have stolen 42 bases in 46 attempts this season. They are on pace to challenge the school record for thefts in a season, which is held by the 1992 squad (128 steals in 65 games).

Leading the way is senior Alison McCutcheon, who is a pristine 16 for 16. She is third on UA's all-time list with 97 behind only Vivian Holm (128) and current Wildcat assistant Amy Chellevold (113).

Freshman Nicole Giordano is second on the team this year with nine stolen bases.