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Angry after loss, Cats unload on 2 foes

Citizen Staff Writer

BRYAN LEE

brylee@tucsoncitizen.com

The University of Arizona softball team didn’t get even with a nemesis during the weekend, but it sure enough got angry at a couple of teams in the Hillenbrand Invitational.

Arizona (21-5) lost to Creighton pitcher Tara Oltman for the second straight year Saturday in the first game of a doubleheader, then proceeded to play target ball with the Gittings Building behind Hillenbrand Stadium.

The Cats got over the sting to their pride with 12 combined home runs in a 19-1 laugher over Creighton in the second game Saturday, then beat St. Joseph’s 14-5 and 20-1 on Sunday.

“We were a little disappointed,” said UA’s Brittany Lastrapes about the unsettling circumstances of Saturday’s 6-0 loss to Oltman. “We decided we weren’t going to let that happen again.”

Unfortunately, Oltman got to sit on her triumph as she did not see action in Saturday’s nightcap. Arizona had to settle for taking it out on her friends.

Stacie Chambers hit two homers and Lastrapes hit two to key the second win against Creighton.

Batting practice against an inferior foe never gets tiring, Lastrapes said.

“It’s good to keep the focus,” she said.

Despite the bombs, UA coach Mike Candrea is far from thinking his team is at its peak. There are issues: Pitching has had some moments as has the defense.

Mostly, Candrea seeks the nine players who can properly gel.

“I’m tired of pushing buttons,” he said Sunday.

Catcher Chambers doesn’t have to worry about being one of those buttons, but she has to be on her toes just the same.

“I don’t know what (Candrea) will do next as far as getting us focused,” said Chambers, who leads the nation with 50 RBIs. “I never know what he’s thinking.”

UA hosts Simon Fraser for a doubleheader at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

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