Baseball team powers past Lobos

Jennifer Holmes Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman outfielder Kenny Huff (24) stands at bat while fellow freshman outfielder Shelly Duncan (18) slides into first after leading off the base yesterday at Frank Sancet Field. The Wildcats won 15-5 over New Mexico.

In the fourth inning of yesterday's 15-5 victory over New Mexico (1-3),the Arizona baseball team (7-0) got a jump start from sophomore third baseman Eric Torres and freshman left fielder Kenny Huff who both homered to put the Wildcats up 5-4.

"The home run by Huff was just huge," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said. "We were struggling a bit, we had no rhythm at the plate, the defense was not doing what they normally do, but then Huff hits one and we started playing better."

Junior starting pitcher Mike Crawford, who picked up his second win of the season, had given up four runs, two of which were earned, and four hits through his first four innings, settled down and didn't give up another run before being replaced by sophomore Wesley Zlotoff after the seventh inning.

"Today I came out and struggled but I was backed by good defense. I didn't have my good stuff and struggled most of the day," Crawford said. "But anytime you get a lead the momentum starts going, adrenaline is pumping and I just carried it and took it with us."

After the offensive spark by Torres and Huff, the Wildcats poured it on and scored 10 runs in the next five innings including a three-run triple by senior second baseman Andy Juday in the bottom of the sixth and six run eighth inning.

"We played pretty well at times and struggled at times, but we battled through it," Stitt said. "They are starting to learn about each other more and more each day."

Freshman Brian Pemble came in to relieve Zlotoff in the eighth, after he balked in the Lobos fifth run. Pemble proceeded to get out of the inning with a strike out and pitched the ninth inning for the save.

The Wildcats will face the Lobos again today at Frank Sancet Field with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. and will close out the series Saturday at 1 p.m.

The current Wildcats will have a chance to take the field against some ex-Wildcats on Sunday at 1 p.m. when the Arizona baseball team hosts the Bank One Arizona All-Pro Alumni game.

Managing the alumni, which includes Trevor Hoffman, Scott Erickson and J.T. Snow, will be former Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg. He will be assisted by Philadelphia Phillies manager Terry Francona.