Wildcats set for final, emotional homestand

"We know what kind of emotion is going to be involved from the last time we had one of these so we can be ready for it this time," senior pitcher Nancy Evans said.

The "last time" in question occurred April 4 against Washington, when the Wildcats retired the number of teammate Julie Reitan, who died last summer from hypoglycemia.

The team said the emotional outpouring during the ceremony carried into game one of the doubleheader that UA lost 10-0. It was the Wildcats' first mercy-rule loss since the inception of Pacific 10 Conference play in 1988.

Tears and memories are sure to be released Sunday during the ceremony.

"It will definitely be an emotional time for all of us but we will be ready to play," UA head coach Mike Candrea said. "Hopefully this will not be our last time at home, but regardless, we are going to treat it like any other game."

Arizona swept the two Bay Area schools on the road two weeks ago and can clinch a Pac-10 title - its second straight - by completing the same task this weekend.

The doubleheaders tomorrow and Sunday are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., which is a change from the original schedule posted at the beginning of the year.

As for all the feelings surrounding this weekend, senior Alison McCutcheon said the key is to not let it all affect the game.

"I am going to try not to think about it all and just deal with it later," she said. "The problem is it is very hard to block out and we haven't been able to do it yet."