2018 Softball & Baseball Preview by Arizona Daily Wildcat

Wednesday, February 14, 2018 â&#x20AC;¢ 2018 Softball/Baseball Preview Special Edition

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SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL PREVIEW 2018

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B2 • The Daily Wildcat

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

ARIZONA SOFTBALL REMAINING SCHEDULE 2018 FEBRUARY

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 4 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 5 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - 4:30 P.M.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - 11 A.M.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - 1 P.M.

MARCH

TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - 11:30 A.M.

2-4

3/2: AUSTIN, TX - 6 P.M. 3/3: AUSTIN, TX - 10 A.M. 3/4: AUSTIN, TX - 10 A.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

VS TUCSON, AZ - 3 P.M.

PALM SPRINGS, CA - 1:30 P.M.

16 - 18

29 - 31

23 - 25

TUCSON, AZ - 9 A.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

3/16: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 3/16: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 3/17: TUCSON, AZ - 12 P.M.

3/23: SEATTLE, WA - 5 P.M. 3/24: SEATTLE, WA - 3:30 P.M. 3/25: SEATTLE, WA - 1 P.M.

3/29: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/30: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/31: TUCSON, AZ - 12 P.M.

VS TUCSON, AZ - 11 A.M.

13 - 15

APRIL

6-8

4/13: TUCSON, AZ - 7:30 P.M. 4/14: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 4/15: TUCSON, AZ - 5 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 4 P.M. & 6 P.M.

4/20: TEMPE, AZ - 5 P.M. 4/21: TEMPE, AZ - 2 P.M. 3/22: TEMPE, AZ - 5 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

MAY

5-6

4/27: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 4/29: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 4/30: TUCSON, AZ - 12 P.M.

4/6: EUGENE, OR - 5 P.M. 4/7: EUGENE, OR - 12 P.M. 4/8: EUGENE, OR - 3 P.M.

27 - 29

20 - 22

10 - 12

5/5: TUCSON, AZ - 4 P.M. & 6 P.M. 5/6: TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

5/10: STANFORD, CA - 5 P.M. 5/11: STANFORD, CA - 5 P.M. 5/12: STANFORD, CA - 12 P.M.

Pac-12 boasts plenty of top 25 teams BY NOAH AUCLAIR

@NoahAuclairUA

With the release of the USA Today/NFCA Coaches 2018 softball rankings, it’s a good time to preview the strength of schedule for Arizona Softball, and in particular, the strength of their conference, which boasts some of the best teams in the country. There are six Pac-12 teams in the top25, with the University of California just narrowly being edged out of a seventh spot.

The University of Oregon came in at No. 3, with Washington right behind them at No. 4, and following them is UCLA at No. 5. The Wildcats came in at No. 7, fourth out of Pac-12 teams, and head coach Mike Candrea said that’s just about where they belong. “That’s about where it should be right now,” Candrea said. “UCLA is very good, Washington is very good, and Oregon — Oregon was my pick for No. 1.” Other Pac-12 schools check in just outside of the top-10. Utah came in at No. 15 and

ASU came in at No. 23. Last year, the Wildcats finished 18-6 in the Pac-12, sweeping Washington, Cal and Stanford. When they played against Oregon, the ‘Cats were 2-1, winning by scores of 2-0 and 10-7. Against UCLA, Arizona was 1-2, getting shut out twice before winning 7-2 in the final game of the regular season. Against rival ASU the Wildcats were 2-1, with a stand-out 8-0 win in five innings. Candrea said that he doesn’t put too much stock in preseason rankings because you never truly know what the team is capable of

until you start playing. “I don’t really look at the rankings, because it’s the preseason,” he said. “The preseason ones are based pretty much on last year and who you lost to. You don’t know who the freshman are here.” The Pac-12 has the second most schools inside the top-25, right behind the SEC. If the preseason rankings are any indication, the 2018 season will be another challenging one for Arizona, playing in one of the toughest conferences in the country.

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The Daily Wildcat • B3

Palomino looks to rebound after injuries BY MAX COHEN

@Max Cohen_DW

If you’re looking for a player who embodies the word “toughness”, you don’t have to look much further than Arizona softball’s Alyssa Palomino. She was a four-year letter winner at Mission Viejo High School in California where she also competed for the U.S. Junior National Team, helping them win gold in the Junior World Women’s Championship. She set the Junior World Women’s Championship record for runs batted in, with 27 in the tournament. But her college career has been hindered by a series of serious knee injuries. In 2016, as a true freshman at Arizona, the outfielder tore her right ACL on the first day of fall practice, forcing her to redshirt the year. After a year of rehabbing, she came back during the 2017 season, in a big way. Palomino was first-team all-region, second-team All Pac-12 and a member of the Pac-12 all-freshman team. She was also one of 25 finalists for NFCA/Schutt Sports DI Freshman of the Year. She finished third in the Pac-12 in home runs and fifth in RBIs with 54, which was fourth among all freshman in the NCAA. She started all 55 regular season games, the final 54 at center field after Opening Day, when she was in right field. Then, just two days before the NCAA tournament began, Palomino tore her left ACL. It was a brutal way for her impressive debut season to come to an end. Before the 2018 season began, however, head coach Mike Candrea said that she was almost completely recovered. “It’s good. I mean, Alyssa right now, I would say, is 95%,” Candrea said. “The five percent is more about her lack of having at-bats and playing the game at that speed all the time. She’s a tough kid, loves to play the game; I think she’s a very quick healer.” Palomino will look to have another strong season as the power hitter of the Wildcats, and will try not to let her injuries hinder her. Already, in the ‘Cats first game of the season against Northwestern, she had a tworun home run in the sixth inning that helped the Wildcats to a 4-1 victory. She’ll look to keep the season going in the same direction as it started, and she will once again be a key.

Harper’s maturity evident in her second year BY MAX COHEN @MaxCohen_DW

Arizona softball’s Jessie Harper isn’t just a good player; she’s one of the main leaders for the Wildcats going into the 2018 season. What’s more impressive is that she’s only a sophomore. She was a first team All-American as a freshman. She started on one of the best teams in the country and learned how to play with the pressure of the expectation to win every game. She also had to deal with the disappointment of failing to make the Women’s College World Series when the expectation was for Arizona to make the trek to Oklahoma City. Harper has a lot of speed, agility and power at the plate, but her most useful tool is her maturity. The sophomore is already seen as a leader of the team in the clubhouse, and one of the faces of the team in both local and national media. ESPNW released their top-25 college softball players, and Harper was named number 17. The hype hasn’t reached her head, however. She actually deflected the praise on to her teammates. “To me, it’s not about really the rankings,” Harper said. “Last year was a fun year, but I think that was based off my team’s trust in me and coach putting me out there as a freshman. We had eight seniors that really guided us, and I owe it all to them. They really showed us the ropes.” Her maturity is as big an asset to the ‘Cats as any of her other tools. She’s been hitting with composure in the three hole this season. She also plays in the middle of the field as shortstop, so her teammates feed off of Harper’s body language. Harper’s teammates also look to her off the field. Harper was wildly successful as a freshman. She was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association first team All-American. Harper’s maturity is also evident in the fact that she’s been a role model for this year’s new recruits. “For the incoming freshman, I would just take it game by game, and not let the highs get too high, and the lows get too low,” Harper said. “It’s kind of one of those things, where, you don’t know what’s going to happen until you get out there, so just take it pitch by pitch, and hope everything goes from there.” Harper has gotten off to a fast start this season. She is hitting .500 with six RBI, two home runs, two walks and only one strike out through the first four games.

B4 • The Daily Wildcat

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

#28 ASHLEIGH HUGHES, CF #4 CARLI CAMPBELL, LF

#3 ALEAH CRAIGHTON, RF

#19 JESSIE HARPER, SS

#5 REYNA CARRANCO, 2B

#18 TAYLOR MCQUILLIN, P #17 MALIA MARTINEZ, 3B

#32 ALYSSA PALOMINO, 1B

#44 JENNA KEAN, DP #8 DEJAH MULIPOLA, C

SOFTBALL PROJECTED LINEUP The 2018 Arizona Wildcats are the preseason No. 7 team in the nation, fielding a mix of speed and power throughout the roster

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

BY MAX COHEN @MaxCohen_DW

LINEUP BREAKDOWN

The Daily Wildcat • B5

B6 • The Daily Wildcat

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SWING BY VICTORIA PEREIRA @vguardie917

College athletes tend not to have a lot of time on their hands between practice, traveling, games and meets on top of regular schoolwork, jobs and extra curricular activities. It seems nearly impossible to fit something like learning a new artform into such a hectic schedule, but in the off-season, some student-athletes embrace their inner artist. Tamara Statman, a political science junior and designated player for the UA softball team, has been playing softball her entire life, and her passion shows through her performance. Over the past two seasons, Statman has batted in 46 runs, hit 6 home runs and in the 2016 season secured a .289 batting average. “Softball’s a really interesting sport because you’re going to fail more than you’re going to succeed,” Statman said. “It makes it that much more rewarding I think, because it is a game of failure.” When she isn’t focused on softball, Statman has a very different hobby — one that gets her out on the dance floor. “Right before I got to college I wanted to learn how to dance,” she said. “When I came to the U of A, I did a lot of east coast swing dance.” Statman began participating in Swing Cats, the

UA’s swing dance group, and started learning the East Coast style. East Coast swing is normally characterized by its classic swing music and circular dance pattern, similar to the “Jitterbug.” West Coast swing was also being taught by the Swing Cats, which is typically a bit slower and follows a rectangular pattern. While Statman wasn’t keen on the new style at first, she’s grown to enjoy both. What first started as a desire to learn how to dance gradually transformed into an affinity and talent for the art. Now, Statman is the publicity director for Tucson Swing Dance Club, and even travels to swing dance conventions. She has

“

It makes it that much more rewarding I think, because it is a game of failure.” —TAMARA STATMAN, DESIGNATED PLAYER

competed in California and Israel, and was just recently promoted to the intermediate category. Swing dance conventions provide a place to put one’s skills to the test and compete alongside and against other passionate dancers, but they also feature workshops and other fun events, according to Statman. For her and many others, the sleepless nights are the best part. “The reason people go to these conventions is for the late-night dancing,” Statman said. “This dancing is from midnight to about 8 a.m. depending on the event … and it’s called the “Breakfast Club” because you leave the ballroom when it’s light outside.” Dance is a valuable art form in and of itself for the physical health benefits like staying in shape and improving coordination; Statman said her time doing swing and learning the moves has helped her with footwork elements in softball. Like any form of art, dance is also a way for people to express themselves. “It’s a really good form of therapy,” Statman said. “It’s a different challenge than normal because it is artistic … and so subjective. I can’t draw, I can’t really express stuff certain ways but there’s kind of a magic to dance.”

COURTESY GARRETT THOMPSON

TAMARA STATMAN, A SOFTBALL player for the UA softball team, participates in swing dance.

The Daily Wildcat • B7

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

JUSTIN REX | THE DAILY WILDCAT

ARIZONA JUNIOR PITCHER ROBBY Medel was the Wildcats’ first reliever of the game. Arizona played Sam Houston in game five of the NCAA Lubbock Regional on June 4, 2017, at Dan Law Field.

Medel shows confidence in larger role BY SYRENA TRACY @Syrena_tracy

Medel eventually had to get hearing aids, but initially wasn’t a big fan. During his first year as a Wildcat, Medel struggled while on the mound and eventually realized that wearing the hearing aids would benefit him. “After a couple of outings I struggled and messed up on defense and I said ‘I need to wear Another opportunity is approaching for Arizona baseball senior Robby Medel, as he will see these things’ because I needed to feel like a full human being when I pitched,” Medel said. “It’s the mound once more as a Wildcat. The right-handed pitcher from Arlington, Texas has had a journey through baseball with just a part of me. I play with them in and no one really says anything about them, it’s just me. It many ups and downs, but he continues to trust the process and knows it will lead him to doesn’t impair me in any way and on the field; I am fine.” Medel started on the hill during his first year at Arizona throwing 21 strikeouts in eight starts, future success. Medel was like many young boys who were thrown into sports. His thoughts focused on growing up to play basketball like his father, but entering junior high he realized that but was eventually moved to the bullpen for the rest of the year. During his second season as Wildcat, Jay Johnson stepped into the position of head coach. shooting the ball wasn’t for him. Under Johnson, Medel threw 17 innings for the ‘Cats during the 2016 season posting 14 “When I got to junior high I threw harder than everybody and I just stuck with baseball,” strikeouts to five walks. Last season Medel made 15 appearances on the mound throwing 25 Medel said. “But I didn’t know I was going to be a baseball player till high school.”+ Medel attended Arlington Bowie High School where he played four years of varsity baseball innings, but was in need for a change. “Last year I think probably half way through the season [Medel] created a new preparation and dominated on the mound earning first-team all-district honors in 2010, 2012 and 2013. and competitive standard for himself, and by Medel let his teams in strikeouts and wins during doing that he achieved some success and his role his senior year, which led him to college ball at expanded,” Johnson said. “I think the evolution Texas Christian University. I am the most confident I have ever been of taking his craft a little more serious in terms TCU seemed like it would be the best place for of conditioning and arm — I think he is highly Medel, but ended up redshirting his freshman year motivated.” leaving him unsure of his future. A good teammate, Medel is more focused “I was discouraged,” Medel said. “I was the best and exibiting more professionalism than ever player on every team I’d ever played on in every before, keeping everyone loose and showing his sport until I got to TCU. You get there, there’s all these dudes, you think you’re going to be great and you’re not. It was because I didn’t put the work in and I didn’t know what it meant to work personality on and off the field “It was more of taking a step back and thinking about who I am as a person,” Medel said. “I hard to be good yet, because I was just always good.” The adjustment was hard for Medel and he realized that going to another program would be did change in the sense of I am more professional in my preparation, I am more professional around the field. I’m going to have my fun, but it’s just the preparation part allows me to be best for him. “I think I was a little too sheltered being close to home. I needed to get away a little bit and more competitive on the mound.” Now in his senior year, Medel is the most confident he has ever been. After many ups and figure myself out as a person,” Medel said. “I always wanted to come here [Arizona]. It was an downs throughout his collegiate career, Medel wouldn’t say it was a struggle, but rather trusting easy choice and easy transition.” himself and the process to get him to this point. While transitioning to Arizona, life threw Medel a curveball. Graduating in the spring of 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in communication, Medel hopes to During high school, Medel would get ear infections anytime he would get a fever or the flu, continue baseball and anticipates new opportunities coming his way. but he didn’t notice them or do anything about them. “I am the most confident I have ever been — and that’s a word that I like to use: confident,” “Going into my first year here [Arizona], that summer my mom was thinking I was always ignoring her and I was like ‘no I’m not ignoring you,’” Medel said. “So I did some hearing tests ... Medel said. “Because every year I was ‘excited’ or ‘anxious’, but this year I am confident in the season and I’m ready.” figur[ed] out that I am hard of hearing and [that] it’s really bad.”

“

.”

— ROBBY MEDEL, PITCHER

B8 • The Daily Wildcat

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

ARIZONA BASEBALL SCHEDULE 2018 21

FEBRAURY

16 - 18

2/16: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 2/17: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 2/18: TUCSON, AZ - 2 P.M.

SAN DIEGO, CA - 8 P.M.

SAN DIEGO, CA - 7 P.M.

SAN DIEGO, CA - 2 P.M.

SAN DIEGO, CA - 3 P.M.

MARCH

VS TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

9 - 11

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - 6 P.M.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - 2 P.M.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - 9 A.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

16 - 18

23 - 25

29 - 31

3/9: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/10: TUCSON, AZ - 2 P.M. 3/11: TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

PHOENIX, AZ - 7 P.M.

3/16: SEATTLE, WA - 6:05 P.M. 3/16: SEATTLE, WA - 1:05 P.M. 3/17: SEATTLE, WA - 2:05 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

3/23: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/24: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/25: TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

3/29: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/30: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 3/31: TUCSON, AZ - 1 P.M.

20 -22

6-8

ALBERQUERQUE, NM - 5:30 P.M.

4/6: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 4/7: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 3/8: TUCSON, AZ - 12 P.M.

PHOENIX, AZ - 7 P.M.

4/13: LOS ANGELES, CA - 7 P.M. 4/14: LOS ANGELES, CA- 2 P.M. 4/15: LOS ANGELES, CA - 2 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

27 - 29

4/20: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 4/21: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 4/22: TUCSON, AZ -12 P.M.

4/27: SALT LAKE CITY, UT - 5 P.M. 4/28: SALT LAKE CITY, UT - 5 P.M. 4/29: SALT LAKE CITY, UT -12 P.M.

OREM, UT - 6 P.M.

3-5

11 - 13

13 -15

MAY

APRIL

24 - 26

17 - 19

5/11: BERKELEY, CA - 7:05 P.M. 5/12: BERKELEY, CA - 6:05 P.M. 5/13: BERKELEY, CA - 1:05 P.M.

SACRAMENTO, CA - 6 P.M.

5/17: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 5/18: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 5/19: TUCSON, AZ - 4:30 P.M.

5/24: EUGENE, OR - 7 P.M. 5/25: EUGENE, OR - 7 P.M. 5/26: EUGENE, OR - 3 P.M.

5/3: TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M. 5/4: TUCSON, AZ - 7 P.M. 5/5: TUCSON, AZ - 3:30 P.M.

TUCSON, AZ - 6 P.M.

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The Daily Wildcat • B9

In-depth schedule breakdown BY JACK COOPER @Jakccooper

If the Arizona Wildcats baseball team is going to make a run at the College World Series, it’s going to have to win some tough games. This season, the Wildcats will play 29 games at home and 27 on the road. Its schedule is loaded with eight NCAA Tournament teams from last season and six conference champions. Arizona starts the season at home with a three-game series against Bryant on Friday, Feb. 16. Last year, the Bears were strong during conference play posting a 20-6 conference record, but lost in the Northeastern Conference Tournament Final. The ‘Cats will then go to San Diego, where they will play Arkansas in a single neutral-field game for the second straight year. Arizona shut out the Razorbacks 3-0 in Texas last season. Arkansas won 38 games last year and also was a No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament. Two days later, the Tony Gwynn Classic kicks off with Arizona playing San Diego State, Michigan and San Diego. Both SDSU and Michigan went to the NCAA Tournament last year and should be good again this season. Before going to Minnesota for the Pac-12/Big-12 Challenge, Arizona returns home for one game against New Mexico State. The Aggies finished last season at 35-22 and lost both games against Arizona. When the Wildcats travel up to Minneapolis to face Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan State, they won’t be playing on a baseball field. Instead, they’ll be playing at U.S. Bank Stadium, home to the National Football League’s Minnesota Vikings. The stadium is completely covered and has a turf surface. Minnesota finished the season last year at 36-21, while Illinois was 23-28 and Michigan State wound up at 29-23. The Wildcats then return to Hi Corbett Field for four straight games. The first is against San Diego State and then three straight against North Dakota State. NDSU was 31-25 last year and went 19-11 in conference play. Arizona will hit the road for four straight games. The first

game will be 120 miles north when they take on ASU in their first meeting of the season. The Sun Devils were 2332 last season and also went 1-4 against Arizona, with that one win being in Tucson. The Wildcats will then travel to Seattle to face Washington for a three-game set. The Huskies were 28-26 last season and only played Arizona three times, all in Tucson, and lost all three. When Arizona gets back, it will start a seven-game homestand. The first will be against New Mexico State again, and then they’ll play Washington State and Nicholls. WSU was 24-29 last year but took one out of three against Arizona in Pullman. Nicholls was just above .500 last year at 29-27. The Wildcats then go visit New Mexico in Albuquerque for a single game before returning to Hi Corbett Field for three more games. The Lobos went 30-27-1 last season. The reigning Pac-12 champions will be in Tucson April 6–8 in what should be three high-intensity games. Oregon State went 56-6 last season and only lost four games during the regular season. It was the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament and went to Omaha for the College World Series. They played Arizona for three games in Corvallis and swept the Wildcats. The first two games saw Arizona blow a lead late in the games. Oregon State is expected to be just as good this year, if not better. Arizona will be on the road for four games as they visit Grand Canyon University. The Antelopes went 29-25 last season and lost both games they played against the Wildcats. Next, the Wildcats will head on their only trip of the year to Los Angeles to face USC. The Trojans went 21-34 last year and were swept in Tucson in their only three meetings a season ago. When Arizona returns from Los Angeles, they’ll start a four-game homestand against BYU and Stanford. The Cougars were 38-21 and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Palo Alto. Stanford finished last season at 42-16 and finished second in the Pac-12. The Cardinal swept Arizona in California last year. They also hosted the first round of the

NCAA Tournament but couldn’t get out of the round. The Wildcats will the travel to Utah to play four games. The first three will be against Utah while the last will be against Utah Valley. The Utes finished right behind the Wildcats in the Pac-12 standings last year at No. 5 and were 27-24. They also swept Arizona in Tucson last season. Before heading home, the Wildcats will play Utah Valley. A year after winning the WAC Tournament and making the NCAA Tournament, the Wolverines finished with a dismal 18-36 record. Arizona and Utah Valley didn’t play last year, but in 2016 the ‘Cats routed them 14-0. After the Utah trip, the ‘Cats will be back for four more at Hi Corbett Field. The first three will be against UCLA. The Bruins finished with a 30-27 record, but they were 19-11 in conference play, which was good enough for third in the Pac-12, one spot ahead of Arizona. UCLA went 1-2 against the Wildcats and also made the NCAA Tournament. It lost its first two games and was eliminated. Arizona plays GCU at home to wrap up the four-game stretch. The Wildcats will go on the road to Northern California for three games against Cal and one against Sacramento State. Cal finished their season at 25-29 and took two out of three against Arizona. The ‘Cats will travel to Sacramento and play a single game against Sacramento State. The Hornets went 32-29 last season and won the WAC Tournament to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament, were they lost in the first round. The last six games of the year for the Wildcats will be split between Tucson and a trip to Eugene, Oregon. The first three will have in-state rival ASU come down for a series. The teams split two games down in Tucson last year, but Arizona did sweep the Sun Devils in Tempe. The last series of the season, Arizona will travel to Eugene, Oregon to face the Oregon Ducks. Oregon finished the season at 30-25 but disappointed in conference play and missed out on the NCAA Tournament. In Tucson last year, the Ducks lost two out of three to the ’Cats and finished eighth in the Pac-12 standings.

ANTHONY RUGGIERO | THE DAILY WILDCAT

B10 • The Daily Wildcat

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Fresh faces on the diamond BY SYRENA TRACY @Syrena_Tracy

The 2018 freshman and transfers will bring a plethora of talent to the field for the Arizona baseball team this coming season. The group brings strong arms to the hill, along with speed in the infield. During the fall, Arizona head coach Jay Johnson had seen growth and talent from the young players, and if they come to the field with what Johnson needs, they might get some play time. “The best guy is going to play, and we are trying to create a highly competitive environment. So by all means if we have freshman ready to go then they are going to play,” Johnson said. “I would love to play freshman, but it’s the University of Arizona; we are going to play the best players who give us the best chance on that day. And if there are opportunities to get guys in and develop them, we will.”

JACOB BLAS

Blas will be the freshman to watch going into the season due to his quickness at shortstop. The two-time league MVP and three-year captain of San Marcos High School finished his senior year with a .402 batting average with 43 hits, 28 stolen bases and three home runs. Blas didn’t just post numbers on the field but also academically, graduating with a 4.0 GPA. “He is a really good player that you’re going to hear a lot about, our freshman shortstop that we like. He will have opportunities,” Johnson said.

GIL LUNA

Luna is from Casa Grande, Arizona and attended Casa Grande Union High School. Luna brings a powerful arm and could have the potential to get some innings in as a freshman. During his junior year of high school, Luna had 138 strikeouts with a fastball of 94 mph. As a senior, Luna injured his forearm and only pitched 21 innings, but is now healthy going into the season. “He is a lefty that has a good arm,” Johnson said.

JOSH HALEY

The left-handed pitcher from Lakewood, California comes to Arizona with a strong arm. Haley attended Gahr High School and posted a 1.01 ERA in 30 innings during his senior year striking out 28 players and only walking two. Haley was awarded San Gabriel Valley Pitcher of the Year along with All-CIF first team, Dream Team Selection first-team and second-team All-State.

JONATHAN GUARDADO

Guardado is a right-handed pitcher that comes from Nogales High School, posting 14-0 with a 0.33 ERA along with 135 strikeouts in 84 2/3 innings during his senior year. Guardado was a second-team USA Today All-America and honored with San Gabriel Valley Tribune 2017 Player of the Year. Guardado also found himself behind the plate as catcher and was able to hit a .488 batting average with 36 RBI and 13 doubles.

TRAVIS MONIOT

The infielder from Palm Desert, California is another experienced player who has played at Orange Coast Junior College and at Oregon. In 2015, Moniot was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 34th round in the 2015 MLB Draft, but decided to go to college at Oregon for the 2016 season. At Oregon, Moniot hit five home runs to tie an Oregon freshman record, and registered 25 runs scored, six doubles and 18 RBIs. Moniot then transferred to Orange Coast Junior College where he earned first-team All-American and All-Region, and set the record at Orange Coast for walks. Moniot will be able to contribute to the Wildcats this season with his Pac-12 experience and strong athletic ability.

The Daily Wildcat • B11

2018 Softball/Baseball Preview • Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Alfonso Rivas to fill loss of JJ Matijevic BY ALEX MUÑOZ @Alex_Munoz89

Selected 75th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros, the loss of former Wildcat JJ Matijevic’s talent for what would have been his final year at Arizona might have left some fans concerned going into the 2018 season. Matijevic, who decided to forgo his senior year, was a staple both on and off the field for skipper Jay Johnson and his teammates. The Wildcats had the luxury of Matijevic’s .383 batting average to go along with his 10 home runs and 65 RBIs. Matijevic was an offensive machine as he led Arizona in homers, RBIs and doubles. This kind of product at the plate is difficult to replace. But, fortunately for the ‘Cats, that should not be an issue in 2018 as they will have junior Alfonso Rivas III to lean on. “He has as good a plate discipline as any college hitter you will see; his abilities to hit mistakes is as good as any hitter you will see at this level,” Johnson said of Rivas. The San Diego, California native has been showered with preseason accolades — and deservingly so. Rivas was named an All-American, All Pac-12 and second-team ABCA All-Region in 2017. In 2018, Rivas was named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Preseason All-American Team, along with second-team preseason All-American by D1Baseball.com and a third-team selection by Baseball America. “It makes you feel good but also ultimately…it doesn’t really mean anything. Baseball is a team sport where if you’re not a team you’re not going to advance,” Rivas said of his honors. Looking back on the 2017 season it’s quiet astonishing to see how both Rivas’ and Matijevic’s numbers matched up next to one another’s across the board while sharing first base duties. Rivas was the second most productive player behind Matijevic posting a .371 batting avg, while hitting seven HR (three less than Matijevic) and knocking in 63 RBIs (two less than Matijevic). In Rivas’ defense, Matijevic started in 59 games to Rivas’ 54 and had 27 more at-bats than Rivas. Rivas, who bunked with Matijevic in 2017, acknowledged how observing Matijevic on and off the field has HEATHER NEWBERRY | THE DAILY WILDCAT taught him how to lead by example and stay consistent. ARIZONA OUTFIELDER ALFONSO RIVAS III runs to first base during the baseball game against “I saw what he was going through all of last year, all the praise and love he was getting, but I saw the way he Hartford on March 11, 2017 at Hi Corbett Field. would treat it. He would just put his head down, work and be humble about it. That’s kind of something that I learned just by watching him,” Rivas said. Johnson, who’s in his third year as head manager of the Wildcats, has spoken highly of Rivas and has seen what he contributes to his ball club on a daily basis. “The thing I appreciate the most about him is his mental maturity,” Johnson said. “He’s very consistent — never too high or too low, and that allows him to perform at a high level. He’s really a model in that regard that we want all of our hitters to get to.” While Johnson recognized there might be some debate around who starts at other key positions around the diamond, there is no question who will be penciled in at first base when the Wildcats open up the 2018 season on Feb. 16 at Hi Corbett Field against Bryant.

From community college to Division I BY JACK COOPER @Jakccooper

After playing two years at a community college, junior Avery Weems is ready to make a difference at Arizona. Avery Weems is a left-handed pitcher who played his first two seasons at Yavapai College. In 2016 he pitched 57 2/3 innings and finished with a 4-1 record and 3.90 ERA in 14 appearances. His sophomore season he pitched 65 1/3 innings and ended the season with a 2.89 ERA and had a 6-4 record with five complete games. Weems is a player head coach Jay Johnson has wanted for years. “Avery is a player we’ve been looking at and wanting since his freshman year, and it’s exciting to finally have him,” Johnson said. Weems has been getting adjusted to the way Arizona runs both practices and everyday life. He talked about how the seniors and other older players have helped him adjust.

“Everything has been running a little bit fast being a transfer and everything, but having the older guys around slows it down for sure. I think the younger guys and the transfers have a hard time transferring in with the signs and everything new that we do. For the most part, I think it’s been really good and we’re way ahead of where we need to be,” Weems said. He also talked about what he’s expecting this year from the team as a whole and what they should be able to accomplish. “I think we’re really going to make a statement this year. And the talent that we have and the work ethic and the older guys leading the way ... we have a really good chance to make a statement early in the season,” said Weems. Transferring from a community college to a Division I university is not easy for many, but Weems focused on what he had to do and who he had to rely on to be able to be successful and have a good time. “Being a transfer and being a junior,

CHRIS HOOK | THE DAILY WILDCAT

ARIZONA JUNIOR PITCHER AVERY Weems throws a pitch from the mound during a game.

you come in with your own pre-set mentality. But I definitely ask my fair share of questions because they kind of do it different here. They’ve definitely helped me out.”

After a successful community college run and having had Johnson wanting him to come to Arizona for so long, it’s time to see what he can do.