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Smooth transition

It didn't take long for junior shortstop Allison Andrade to fit in with her new teammates on the UA softball team.

The acceptance was easily seen as junior outfielder Nicole Giordano jokingly tried to diminish Andrade's impact on the team by saying, "She has only hit a million homers."

Though she is second on the team with five, the homers didn't come without hard work and dedication.

After senior shortstop Felicity Willis decided to discontinue playing softball last season to focus her energies on the UA women's basketball team, the shortstop position became a gaping hole for the Wildcats.

Andrade, though, has quickly laid claim to the position.

"She has been a tremendous bright spot for us," Arizona head coach Mike Candrea said. "She has got a great work ethic and tremendous attitude."

Ever since transferring from West Valley Junior College in Saratoga, Calif., where she was a two-time conference MVP, Andrade has made her impact felt on and off the field.

"Oh, we love (Allison), she has got a great personality," Giordano said. "I have so much confidence in her and I know if the ball is hit to her, I know she is going to make the play."

It took a while for Andrade to find the confidence in herself after having to adjust to Division I softball and a new environment.

The transition was especially tough having to face pitchers junior Becky Lemke and sophomore Jennie Finch in fall practice, even though she batted a respectable .333.

"At first it was a little bit of a struggle facing Becky and Jennie," Andrade said. "But that also helped because they are two of the best pitchers in the nation."

Candrea worked extensively throughout the fall changing Andrade's swing, making it more compact and working on her fielding footwork.

"(Coach) threw so many little things at me, like ideas of what I needed to work on and what I needed to do," Andrade said. "Taking it all in at first was kind of hard, getting everything in my mind."

The hard work and dedication has paid off for Andrade who has become a vacuum at shortstop and a powerful presence in the No. 8 spot in the lineup.

Andrade is second on the team in hitting with a .455 batting average, second in RBI with 29 and leads the team with nine doubles.

"Having someone in the eight spot who can hit homers and hit doubles and has quickness and has all the things she has, just makes our lineup so much better," junior outfielder Lauren Bauer said. "It takes a lot of pressure off the people at the top because you know you can do your thing and if you don't, there is someone behind you that can."

In addition to her plate presence, Andrade has started all 21 games at shortstop and has been a vocal and reliable part of the infield.

"Out there (at shortstop), I think she is just in control of her position, she is very vocal," junior third baseman Toni Mascarenas said. "I think that she has come out here and had a good time and in the process I think she is learning a lot and doing everything she needs to do at practice."

With all of her success, Andrade still insists she has much to improve on and attain, like helping the Wildcats win a national championship.

"Our goal as a team is to be in the final game. I think it is extremely awesome just to play in the world series," Andrade said. "I always have high expectations."