UA offense explodes against the Dutch

Kristy Mangos Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona freshman designated hitter Ben Diggins (33) waits for a pitch Saturday night at Frank Sancet Field. Diggins hit a 400-foot-plus home run in Arizona's 11-7 exhibition win over the Dutch national team.

With only one offensive starter, sophomore shortstop Keoni DeRenne, back from last year, the new-look Wildcats pounded the Dutch national team 11-7 Saturday night at Frank Sancet Field.

"Tonight showed how capable this team is in scoring runs," freshman right fielder Shelley Duncan said. "We have a real high-powered offense this year."

Duncan had an RBI double during Arizona's five-run outburst in the bottom of the second inning.

Sophomore third baseman Erik Torres hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first, a two-RBI single in the second and an RBI double that just missed clearing the left field fence in the bottom of the fourth.

"Our hitting was all right," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "Both their pitchers were pitching well. They had real good breaking balls."

The biggest hit of the night for Arizona came off the bat of freshman designated hitter Ben Diggins, who launched a solo bomb in the bottom of the seventh which landed on the roof of the supply shed beyond the center field fence, well over 400 feet from home plate.

Both Diggins and Duncan also saw time on the mound last night, helping to shut down the Dutch offense after the Dutch made it 6-5 in the top of the third.

"I felt really good," Duncan said. "Coach (Bill) Kinneberg has been working with me a lot on keeping the ball down. Any pitcher that leaves the ball up won't get an out. He's really helped me out with my mechanics."

The game also marked a rematch for DeRenne and the Dutch, as the Dutch were responsible for knocking the U.S. national team out of the World Championships in Italy this summer. DeRenne was a member of the U.S. team.

He and the Wildcats will get another shot at the Dutch Friday at 7 p.m. at Sancet Field.

Chris Jackson can be reached via e-mail at Chris.Jackson@wildcat.arizona.edu.