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UA softball team faces immediate challenge

In order to be the best, you must play the best, and that is exactly what the UA softball team will be doing this weekend.

The No. 4 Wildcats will host No. 2 Washington and No. 5 Southern Mississippi in the Arizona Softball Classic.

All three schools participated in last year's College World Series.

"I think people need to realize that we are definitely opening up with a very strong weekend with Southern Miss and Washington," head coach Mike Candrea said.

The Wildcats will depend on strong pitching performances from junior Becky Lemke and sophomore Jennie Finch to shut down the powerful Husky and Golden Eagle offenses.

Lemke and Finch held Arizona Central Community College to three hits in a pair of exhibition victories Tuesday.

"It is about time we start playing," Finch said. "Coach opened us up with good teams like Washington and Southern Miss, so I am excited."

Offensively, the UA will be led by three juniors - outfielder Nicole Giordano, third baseman Toni Mascarenas and outfielder Lauren Bauer.

Senior outfielder Lindsay Robinson said she was glad the Wildcats started off the season playing stellar competition.

"You see where you are right from the beginning of the season," Robinson said.

The Huskies finished third in the Pacific 10 Conference last year, behind UCLA and Arizona.

The Wildcats will play the Golden Eagles at 2 p.m. today and at the same time Sunday.

Saturday, UA will host Washington at 2 p.m.

Southern Mississippi and Washington will battle Friday and Saturday at noon.

All games will be played at Rita Hillenbrand Stadium.