Huskies hope to continue hot hitting with trip to desert

May 3, 2013, 12:00 AM

The last few weeks have been much better for the Washington baseball team. After struggling for so much of the season, the Huskies have turned things around a bit lately. But last weekend they took another small step back, losing the series to California. The Huskies will try to get back their winning ways this weekend, against No. 22 Arizona. The teams will play a three-game set in the hot desert air, with temperatures expected to reach into the low 90s. Although they dropped two of three games to the Golden Bears, the Huskies (14-28, 6-12 Pac-12) have been playing much better lately, with five wins in their last eight games. They took series from ranked teams in Oregon State and Gonzaga. One of the main reasons for this turnaround has been the UW offense. After struggling for so long, the offense has come around, with 41 runs in those eight games. Second baseman Robert Pehl believes the turnaround is due in large part to the team finding a way to stay calm in the face of pressure. “Everyone on our team has been relaxed,” Pehl said. “We had to get back to playing the same game that we’ve been playing since we were younger, and just being able to go out there and play. It’s been about keeping it simple.” Washington head coach Lindsay Meggs will hand the ball to red-hot Jared Fisher for Friday night’s series opener. Over his last two starts, Fisher pitched 16 innings and allowed just eight hits, four walks, and one unearned run. Austin Voth will get the ball Saturday. Voth is 4-5 with a 2.84 ERA and 81 strikeouts, which is second in the conference. Those starters will have the challenge of shutting down a tough Arizona team, which is the defending national champion. The Wildcats are 28-15 (though only 9-9 in Pac-12 play), good for a fifth-place tie in the conference standings. Still, despite their conference record, the Huskies know they will be facing a tough challenge from the Wildcats. “Every weekend, you’re facing a Pac-12 opponent, and the Pac-12 is an unreal conference,” outfielder Jayce Ray said. “Every team has first-round guys, and guys who have chances to play in the big leagues.” One thing the Wildcats do better than any other team in the Pac-12 is hit. As a team, Arizona is hitting .310 and has scored 304 runs — 40 more than second-place Arizona State. “We’re expecting a great challenge from them,” Pehl said. “It’s going to be hot. They are a tough club, and they’ve been hot recently. There will be fans rooting against us, and it should be a great environment and a good challenge for us.” The teams will play 6 p.m. games Friday and Saturday to combat the heat of Tucson, Ariz., and finish up with a noon-time start on Sunday. Reach reporter Daniel Rubens at sports@dailyuw.com. Twitter: @drubens12

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