Pearce delivers a complete performance

Ian Mayer Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior pitcher Josh Pearce (37) sends a pitch to home plate during the game against Texas A&M Saturday at Frank Sancet Field. Pearce allowed only two runs in the first two innings en route to UA's first complete game in its last 83 contests and he now stands at 3-0.

"He's the hardest working guy on the team," Stitt said.

Pearce's hard work definitely paid off in Saturday's game against then-No. 9 Texas A&M (4-2) when he pitched Arizona's first complete game in 83 games since 1997, nudging the Wildcats (13-1) to a 5-2 victory.

"It was a great opportunity to pitch against a great ball club," Pearce said of A&M. "I started off a little shaky, but then I just relied on the team's defense.

"'No more runs,' I told myself."

Pearce, whose record stands at 3-0, allowed two runs in the first two innings, then kept the Aggies scoreless in the remaining seven innings with only four hits, one walk and seven strikeouts.

"He pitched as well as he could have," associated head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "He had a great performance that day and a lot of things going for him, with the good defense and his clutch pitches."

Pearce grew up in Yakima, Wash., where he attended West Valley High School. He earned four letters as a pitcher and first baseman, as well as all-league and all-state honors. After graduation, he was drafted in the 40th round by the New York Mets in 1996, but he instead went to play for Centralia (Wash.) Community College.

He was again drafted in the 41st round by the Anaheim Angels in 1997. Again he opted for college play versus the majors and began a career at Portland State. As a Viking, he led the team in starts with 14 plus two complete games and 71 strikeouts. And to Arizona's advantage, Portland State lost its program, leading Pearce to a Wildcat career.

"Portland State dropped their program," Stitt said. "Josh was down here last year when his team played us and he liked it.

"And I was friends with the head coach of his team and he knew of our program and wanted him here as bad as we wanted him."

Pearce got off to an impressive start as a Wildcat as the first Arizona player since James Johnson in 1996 to earn a win in his first UA appearance Jan. 23 against St. Mary's.

"Josh worked his butt off," Kinneberg said. "He enjoyed every day and I think there was very little difference between his previous program at Portland State."

Pearce also commented that his transition to Arizona was not a difficult one.

"It wasn't hard at all," Pearce joked about his transferring. "It's my third school, so I'm kind of used to it.

"And with the team we're ready to go as far as we can. We're young and (have) a lot of new guys and we've just clicked, and have been playing well, so we're going to go from there."

Pearce's coaches echoed his thoughts on his ability to carry the team, as well as himself, in all that he attempts.

"Josh has tremendous work ethic that has got him to where he's at," Kinneberg said. "He has his priorities set and does a good job at school and works hard out here on the field.

"He's going to go long ways in a lot of different areas."

As far as his academic career, Pearce will continue in his sociology major.

As far as his baseball career, he and his coaches agreed that he would be working on his third pitch.

"Josh is throwing two pitches - a fastball and a curve," Kinneberg said. "And like anyone he needs to get a little bit better with the location of his fastball and complete his change-up a bit better."

Pearce also shared a little on his personal goal.

"I like to keep the team in the game," he said. "Within two runs."

Pearce will have a chance to extend his unbeaten record this weekend when the Wildcats travel to San Diego today for a tournament featuring St. Francis, San Diego, San Diego State and Oklahoma State.

Kate Longworth can be reached at Kate.Longworth@wildcat.arizona.edu.