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Wildcats battle NMSU in a doubleheader

After a nine-day break, the Arizona softball team is back in action tonight as it hosts New Mexico State at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

The No. 2 Wildcats are using the doulbleheader against the Aggies (16-18) as preparation for Pacific 10 Conference play, which begins this weekend.

"We need to pretty much slam them, we've had pretty much a whole week off and a long weekend and it is hard to get back into it," junior catcher Lindsey Collins said. "They are a good team so they are gonna play hard, especially before this weekend, so it is good preparation."

UA (35-2) will be seeking to find its offensive power again, as they team relied mainly on pitching and defense to reach the finals of the Kia Klassic in Fullerton, Calif., where they lost 6-1 to top-ranked Washington.

Junior Becky Lemke and sophomore Jennie Finch will pitch against New Mexico State.

Lemke leads the team with a 19-2 record and has a 0.64 ERA including 191 strikeouts.

Finch, who is a perfect 16-0, is hoping the games with the Aggies will give Arizona more experience under the lights, as many of the Pac-10 games are played at night.

"We haven't played that many night games and I think it will get us used to playing under the lights," Finch said. "I don't really know too much about New Mexico State."

With 14 homers and 38 RBI, Finch leads the UA offensive which is trying to regain its early season form.

Also providing power for the Wildcats will be Collins, who has nine home runs, and junior shortstop Allison Andrade who has contributed six homers.

Lead-off hitter junior Nicole Giordano is leading the team in batting with a .484 average and says the doubleheader should help the Wildcats to regain momentum after their 34-game win streak was snapped by the Huskies.

"I think this is going to start the ball rolling for us," Giordano said. "Coach (Mike Candrea) gave us a few days off to relax so I think we are ready to go."

Arizona's doubleheader with the Aggies is the team's last chance to fine tune their play before they head into Pac-10 play where all eight teams are ranked in the top-25.

"I think we need to work on the little mistakes we keep making, mental mistakes," junior third baseman Toni Mascarenas said. "It feels good to finally step on the field again, I mean we've had our week off and I think that we are all ready and refocused after Fullerton."

The first game begins at 6 p.m.