Arizona softball will throw on its uniforms one last time this year, closing its fall 2009 schedule against the Pima Community College Aztecs at Hillenbrand Stadium today at 6 p.m.
“”I think it’s important to just finish on a strong note,”” said head coach Mike Candrea, who downplayed the final game of the fall. “”I know there’s going to be some challenges. The weather is going to be about twenty degrees cooler so it’s an opportunity to play in some bad conditions, which is something you might have to do down there road.””
Today will be the last day for Candrea to roll out freshman Kenzie Fowler in the circle, one of the few roles that shouldn’t come into question during the months leading into next year’s spring games.
In the other positions, freshmen and newcomers will still be fighting for time on the field. With practices going through November, facing Pima won’t indicate much about which players will eventually separate from their teammates.
“”I mean, I think we have a pretty good idea of where we’re at right now, but things change,”” Candrea said. “”I think the big thing right now is to get everyone prepared for the regular season any way that they can.””
Focusing on individual improvements will be the players’ main goal. That’s because the team feels well on its way to working as a single unit.
“”(We want to) have a solid game, come out of the game saying, ‘You know what, I did good tonight and we played well as a team,'”” said pitcher Ashley Ralston-Alvarez, who will face her former Aztec team. “”I think that’s what’s on everybody’s mind.””
The Wildcats defeated Pima in their last outing, beating the Aztecs 6-0. In that game, freshman Baillie Kirker and sophomore Lini Koria hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning to help Arizona’s offense, while Fowler was credited with a full-game shutout.
Candrea said the team has done a good job blending last year’s players with the newcomers, but there are improvements left to solve in the coming months.
“”I think it’s gone as well as we could expect at this point,”” he said. “”(We’ve) got some games under our belt, (but) it’s still a work in progress.””
