It isn’t a secret that Arizona ace pitcher Taryne Mowatt has been struggling. It also isn’t a secret that she’s been having issues with her self-confidence given her recent blunders against top-ranked ASU.

But when the Oregon schools roll into Hillenbrand Stadium this weekend to take on the Wildcats, Mowatt will have new life.

Unlike last weekend when UA interim head coach Larry Ray decided on the bus ride up to Tempe who would pitch against the Sun Devils, the coach has confirmed the senior will get the first start of the series against Oregon tonight at 7.

“”I feel good knowing (I am getting the first start) ahead of time,”” Mowatt said, who got one win in two starts when the Wildcats went to Eugene April 5-6. “”I am pretty certain on what to pitch to their hitters and it just feels good knowing I can get a gameplan in ahead of time.””

Mowatt’s start against Oregon (26-20, 1-9 Pacific 10 Conference) couldn’t have come at a better time.

The Ducks are currently in last place in the conference and rank last in the Pac-10 in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, runs scored and RBIs.

Ray said it often takes one solid start for a pitcher to gain her confidence back.

“”Anytime you’re successful, you are going to build a little bit of confidence and that is what she needs right now,”” Ray said. “”She has pitched OK – not outstandingÿ- but we are waiting for that to happen and when it does this team is going to be in good shape.””

Mowatt isn’t the only player on the team that needs to gain some confidence.

Various players on the team have admitted Arizona has seemingly been going through the motions often in practice.

But after a tough weekend in which they lost two games to ASU, the Wildcats seem to be poised to make a solid run against the Ducks and the Oregon State Beavers tomorrow and Sunday.

“”We had a very good practice (Wednesday) and these last few days we’ve really come together and realized what we need to do to play as a team,”” said shortstop K’Lee Arredondo. “”I really think we are going to put it together this weekend.””

– Michael Fitzpatrick contributed reporting