UA All-Pro Alumni game won by amateurs

Eric M. Jukelevics Arizona Daily Wildcat Milwaukee Brewers pitcher and UA alum James Johnson pitches at the Bank One All-Pro Alumni Game yesterday at Frank Sancet Field. The current Wildcats defeated their predecessors 6-4.

The current Wildcats prevailed over the now professional Wildcats 6-4 in front of a star-struck and autograph seeking crowd of 3,314.

Even the current Wildcats were getting autographs after the game as they sought out the alumni guest manager and former Chicago Cubs second baseman Ryne Sandberg.

"Yeah, I am just starting my collection," Wildcats junior catcher Dennis Anderson said after getting Sandberg's signature on his baseball.

The Wildcats, who no-hit the alumni until the bottom of the fourth in the seven inning game, scored first after a throwing error by San Diego Padres third baseman John Powers, which allowed sophomore Ernie Durazo to score.

Sophomore Jeff Casper then came off the bench to single and double, driving in three runs to help lead the Wildcats to victory.

UA, which had lost the previous five contests to the alumni, never trailed in the game.

"I am sure a lot of people got a lot of confidence today because we are not going to face better competition than this and we showed we could hit major league pitching," Anderson said.

For the alumni, a win would have been nice, but they did not mind just relaxing and enjoying the weekend.

"This whole time has just been awesome. It has been first class," Sandberg said. "It is nice to see the fans come out and support the university and it is good to see all the alumni come back."

As the guest manager, Sandberg received a UA warmup suit from Wildcats head coach Jerry Stitt between the fourth and fifth innings.

Sandberg, who now resides in the Phoenix area, told the crowd, "I'll wear this around Tempe."

Also in uniform for the alumni were Baltimore Orioles pitcher Scott Erickson and San Diego Padres pitcher Trevor Hoffman, but neither took the mound in the game.

"This signifies the beginning of the baseball season for me. It lets you know that it is just right around the corner," Erickson said. "It is a great time because you see these guys only once a year. It is nice to spend a few days together. That is what brings everybody back."

Dan Rosen can be reached at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.