By Scottie Bricker
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 27, 1998

Giordano confident as she steps into spotlight

Lost in the distinguished shadow of the Arizona softball team's sensational senior quintet is the recent electrifying emergence of freshman left fielder/designated player Nicole Giordano.

Giordano, from Valencia, Calif., has become a staple in the power-heavy Wildcat starting lineup since late February, when dismal hitting by a few of the players prompted head coach Mike Candrea and his assistants to juggle the batting order a bit.

Placing Giordano in the lineup was not only a product of her hitting abilities, but also of her work ethic and positive attitude.

"Nicole is such a feisty hitter and she has worked so hard for everything she has received," UA assistant coach Amy Chellevold said. "She takes coaching advice so well and you'll never hear her complain."

In last weekend's Kia Klassic in her home state, Giordano recorded 14 hits in 25 at bats, upping her season average to an even .500. The mark is second only to the UA's all-time leader in career batting average, senior leadoff hitter Alison McCutcheon, who is currently hitting .509.

Giordano's outstanding hitting performance should come as no surprise considering she hit .559 in her senior season at Saugus High School, while tallying 50 stolen bases and 44 runs scored. For her performance, she was named Los Angeles Times' player of the year.

Because of her success at the high school level and her calming approach to the game, the switch to college ball has been a comfortable one for Giordano, especially since her inclusion in the starting lineup.

"I am feeling really confident and really relaxed right now," Giordano said. "Getting the chance to play every day gives me more confidence because I know coach has confidence in me. I feel no pressure."

In addition to her consistent production at the plate, Giordano provides Arizona with another potent base stealer. The speedster along base paths is a perfect 12 for 12 in stolen base attempts while scoring 26 runs in her first year as a Wildcat.

Counselor's corner

In nurturing his young pitching staff, which includes three freshmen, Candrea has relied on several key sources of insight and advice, including both players and coaches.

Assistant coach Stacy Hill takes care of the majority of the duties as pitching coach, but a great deal of the burden of keeping the rookie hurlers in line falls on seniors Nancy Evans and Leah Braatz.

Evans, who receives most of the starts in the circle for the Wildcats, plays shortstop in the games she is not pitching. The rotation allows her to have constant contact with freshmen Becky Lemke, Teresa Ayoub and Meghann Pricer.

"It's great to be out there and be able to run up and just tell them something between hitters," Evans said. "They are all real receptive to mine and Leah's advice, which helps. I want them to ask questions whenever they have them."

Braatz also carries a good portion of the load in the pitching battery, putting to use her nearly four years of catching some of the best pitchers the college game has ever seen, including Evans and former Wildcat Carrie Dolan.

"Leah has caught some great pitchers here and her experience is very valuable," Hill said. "She and Nancy are great for our young pitchers."