Sports Reel

BASEBALL

Second season starts today

The Arizona Wildcats (16-8) and the UCLA Bruins (14-13) will each begin their run towards the Pacific 10 Conference title as they open the Pac-10 season tonight under the lights of Frank Sancet Field at 7.

"We should be ready, we have played some good teams and we have beaten some good teams and lost to some good teams," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "UCLA is a good team and we will just have to expect them to swing the bat well. They have deep pitching and all we have to do is play the game right."

The Wildcats will start junior pitcher Josh Pearce (3-1, 4.93 ERA) tonight and junior Mike Crawford (2-2, 4.93 ERA) tomorrow at 1 p.m.. The starting pitcher for Sunday's game at 1 p.m. has not been announced yet.

Last season the two schools split the season series with three wins apiece, but under Stitt the Wildcats are just 5-7 against UCLA.

The Wildcats will then travel to Southern Cal to take on the defending national champs in a three game series beginning next Friday at 7 p.m. - Dan Rosen

SOFTBALL

Softball hosts first alumni game

After playing host to two consecutive weekend softball tournaments, the UA softball team will get a chance this weekend to prove its strengths to some of the recently graduated Wildcats.

Tomorrow at 1 p.m. the Wildcats host former players in the Annual Alumni Exhibition game.

The current Wildcats will have their hands full, as several players from championship UA teams will make-up the Alumni roster. Among those power hitters are NCAA career home run co-leaders Leah Braatz and Laura Espinoza.

"They won't hit it out if we stick it in their ear," UA head coach Mike Candrea said as a joke to the media relations department.

Joining the two ex-Wildcat sluggers are 1994 NCAA Player of the Year Susie Parra and 1995 Player of the Year Jenny Dalton.

"After winning these two tournaments (The Hillenbrand Invitational and the Wildcat Classic) we can just have fun with our alumni," Candrea said after capturing the Hillenbrand tournament crown last weekend. - Keith Carmona

GYMNASTICS

Wildcats return home to face No. 11 Oklahoma

Tonight at 7:30 there will be a contest with the Oklahoma Sooners at McKale Center, but Jason Terry won't be heading the show as instead the spotlight will feature the Wildcat gymnasts.

Arizona (7-5 overall, 3-2 Pacific 10 Conference) returns home to McKale to host the No. 11-ranked Sooners. This will be the ninth time this season that Arizona has faced a ranked opponent.

The task before Arizona is a difficult one but the team's feeling is one of confidence.

"We need to do our job and execute our routines." Arizona head coach Bill Ryden said. "We are every bit as talented as Oklahoma."

This meet is Arizona's final tune-up before heading to Corvallis, Ore. next Saturday to compete in the Pac-10 Championships.- Derek Larson

TRACK

UA hosts 2 meets over break

The UA track and field team will host two meets over spring break, starting with the Arizona Multi Invitational Wednesday and Thursday, featuring heptathletes and decathletes.

The full Wildcat team will begin its outdoor season Friday and Saturday with the Willie Williams Classic.

"This meet is primarily for collegiate athletes, but we do have some open competitors from the pro ranks that will compete," UA head coach Dave Murray said.- Brian Wahlund

SOFTBALL

Men's team travels to LA

The UA men's tennis team will travel to California to play Southern Cal and UCLA.

"Last time we played USC we lost," junior Jean-Noel LaCoste said. "I believe we have a better chance now with our acquired experiences."

USC is currently ranked No. 13 by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and UCLA stands at No. 1 after its recent win at a doubles tournament.

The UA women's tennis team hosts USC today at the Robson Tennis Center. USC is currently ranked No. 13 by the ITA.

"We have competed better in the last few months than we have in the past," UA head coach Stephanie London said. "I expect that we have a good chance of knocking USC down."

Saturday, the Wildcats will take on UCLA at home. The ITA has UCLA currently ranked No. 8. - Katie Fonken