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Alumni return to Sancet Field

Trevor Hoffman saved his first game of the year yesterday.

With AC/DC's "Hells Bells" blaring in the background, the San Diego Padres' closer retired three of the four men he faced, not allowing a run.

It did help that the men he faced were college kids.

In front of over 3,000 people at UA's Sancet Field, current UA players faced off against former Wildcats currently in the majors in the Arizona All-Pro Alumni Game."

The game, which has been in existence since 1982, is a fund-raiser for the baseball program. The alumni, behind a five-run first inning, defeated the Wildcats, 7-6.

Not that it mattered for either team. The game was more of a celebration of Wildcat baseball.

"It's a blast to come back with players I used to play with," Oakland Athletics' starter Gil Heredia said. "I love coming back to Sancet Field for the Wildcats."

Colorado Rockies' reliever Ed Vosberg agreed.

"It's always great to come back and check up on the Wildcats," he said. "It's a great thrill to be a part of this."

It was also a chance for former UA players to reminisce about their college experience.

"I lived in an apartment on Eighth Street and Euclid," Heredia said. "It was freezing everyday, but that's college."

San Francisco Giants' first baseman J.T. Snow remembered his days in the dorm fondly.

"My first year, I lived in Graham-Greenlee, then we lived in an apartment down on Campbell," he said. "We were just going to school and playing ball .... nothing better."

UA head coach Jerry Stitt might have enjoyed the day more than anybody.

"It was a good day," he said. "I'm always proud to wear the Wildcat uniform, but the game is a chance to have a little fun."

Stitt said he was especially proud of the alumni's willingness to attend.

"It's great to see the guys I played with and coached," he said. "It's amazing how loyal these players are. To a man, every one of them came out."

The day's events were equally as powerful for non-Wildcats.

"This is a pretty classy deal they have set up here," guest alumni manager Curt Schilling said. "Everything has been done first class. I have been treated great and, so far, I've enjoyed the trip."

It may have even changed Schilling's loyalties.

"I grew up an Arizona State fan, so it is weird to be here," he said. "But I'm becoming a Wildcat fan. This is a tremendous institution. It's an honor and privilege to be here."

On the field, sophomore Shelley Duncan homered off of Oakland Athletics' closer Doug Jones in the third inning for the Wildcats. In the game, most UA players saw action against the professionals, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

And that was the whole point of the game.