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Wildcat back in top-25

Following last weekend's three-game sweep of No. 15 Tulane, the UA baseball team found themselves back in the Baseball America polls. The Wildcats, ranked 18th at the beginning of the season, dropped from the polls following early-season losses to San Francisco and Brigham Young.

However, a strong showing against the Green Wave has brought UA back into the polls, as the Wildcats are ranked 25th in the newest Baseball America rankings.

Not that UA head coach Jerry Stitt takes it too seriously.

"I don't pay much attention to rankings," he said.

In last weekend's sweep of Tulane, Arizona improved in two areas it had been lacking in - pitching and defense.

Wildcat pitching was the most consistent it had been all season. Friday afternoon, sophomore right-hander Ben Diggins pitched a complete game, allowing two runs on six hits in nine full innings. Five of the hits he allowed were singles.

It was the second straight shutout for Diggins - the 6-foot-6 Wildcat allowed one earned run on six hits in last Friday's 4-1 victory against Texas A&M. All six Aggies hits were singles.

Sunday afternoon's game was no different.

Seniors Rob Shabansky and Tony Milo combined to allow five runs on nine hits, as the Wildcats beat Tulane, 8-5.

"It feels good (to sweep)," Shabansky said. "We hit the ball when we needed it."

Defensively, preseason All-American Keoni DeRenne showed why he was worthy of the honors.

The junior shortstop had two stellar plays on Saturday and another on Sunday.

"Keoni's the player of the week," UA head coach Jerry Stitt said.

Considering Diggins' accomplishments on the mound and at bat, Stitt's statement was a bold one.

With the emergence of Shabansky as a possible third starter for the Wildcats, Stitt and Arizona pitching coach Jerry Kinneberg will have to decide on how to retool the UA pitching staff.

Ben Diggins (4-0) will retain his role as the team's ace. Stitt will have to decide between sophomore left-hander Brian Pemble and senior righty Mike Crawford as the team's second starter.

Saturday afternoon, Pemble made the start for the Wildcats, while Crawford (4-3) pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run in relief.

For now, Stitt likes the way Crawford pitches in relief.

"That may be where we stick him," Stitt said.

Judging by the performance of Diggins last weekend, the Wildcats may have found themselves a designated hitter.

The sophomore was a mainstay for the Wildcats this weekend, acting as the team's DH on Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

In the two starts, Diggins reached base in 9 of 10 at bats, good for a .900 on-base percentage.

On Saturday, Diggins had two home runs, good for five RBI. In doing so, he collected a team-high 10 total bases. It was the first multi-homer game of Diggins' career.

Diggins logged a pair of singles on Sunday, chipping in two more RBI.

The Wildcats, who have employed numerous designated hitters throughout the season, may settle on Diggins as their everyday man.

"The team's used a lot of designated hitters this year," Diggins said. "I guess it's a good problem to have."

Diggins is prepared to play wherever the Wildcats need him, even if it means being a DH

"I just want to hit," he said.