Wildcats down Tigers in extra innings

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Sophomore outfielder Nicole Giordano (4) slides into third as Notre Dame's third baseman bobbles the ball Saturday at Hillenbrand Stadium during the Hillenbrand Invitational. Arizona defeated Notre Dame 16-0, then beat LSU 7-6 yesterday to win the tournament title.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, sophomore center fielder Nicole Giordono scored as LSU botched their opportunity for a double play that would have closed out the inning. When LSU shortstop Tara Asbill fielded UA sophomore left fielder Lauren Bauer's ground ball, the ball hit UA sophomore shortstop Toni Mascarenas in the head as she slid into second base. The double play had failed and Giordono crossed the plate for the UA victory.

The extra inning win would not have been possible if it were not for an offensive surge by the Wildcats in the bottom of the seventh. Down 6-4, Bauer singled to left field, scoring junior second baseman Katie Swan, who got on base earlier with a walk and advanced on Masceranas' double. Then, only down one run to the Tigers, a passed ball by LSU catcher Ashley Lewis sent Mascarenas home, evening the score at six. The rally ended after that with two consecutive routine ground-outs.

"We needed to push some runs in," Masceranas said about the seventh inning. "I was able to find a pitch and drive it."

She said her team was able to come together and "dig deep with a lot of heart" to gain the victory.

Head coach Mike Candrea said he was happy with Masceranas' performance today.

"I was pleased with how Toni was swinging the bat, she had some very solid hits this afternoon," he said.

Masceranas ended the day with two hits in four at-bats and two runs scored.

Early in the game, the Wildcats jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the second inning. Arizona saw that lead shrink by the fifth inning when LSU scored four runs to send the score to 6-4. That inning saw four consecutive hits, including a triple down the right field line by Dee Douglas, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Stephanie Hastings.

Candrea said he was not disappointed in his team, despite the game being close.

"LSU is a very good team that played well (yesterday)," he said. "But we showed a good ability in coming back."

Adjustments made in pitching in the later innings created the difference in the game, Candrea said. He also noted that when they stopped throwing the ball inside to Tiger batters standing away from the plate, LSU's offense began to suffer.

The Wildcats advanced to the finals of the Hillenbrand Invitational by defeating LSU 9-1, Kansas 9-0, Notre Dame 16-0 and Texas Tech 4-0 in round robin play on Friday and Saturday and Notre Dame 8-3 in a semifinal match yesterday morning. Overall, Candrea felt the team took a formidable step forward this weekend.

"Offensively, we are continuing to work harder," said Candrea, whose main focus now is on eliminating mental mistakes, which he claims can "kill a team."

With the weekend's wins, the Wildcats improved their record to 24-1 and have their next outing with the Alumni Game at home this Saturday.