Tucson, Arizona - At this point in the season, there's no reason for Arizona pitcher Leslie Wolfe to experience butterflies during practice.

But that's exactly what she experienced earlier this week.

And for the senior, nothing could have felt better.

"I feel like my senior year started (Wednesday)," she said. "I threw an intrasquad scrimmage for the first time. I was pumped, I had butterflies and it was only a scrimmage."

One wonders if she'll lose those butterflies during her first game.

Either way, the Wildcats are grateful. Arizona has lost starting ace Alicia Hollowell for an unspecified amount of time due to a facial fracture, so Wolfe will try to ease the Wildcats' burden.

"Plan to see me in the lineup," Wolfe said Thursday.

"I'm nervous, I'm a senior and I'm nervous. Usually you get the nerves out as a freshman, but I'm anxious and ready to get out there."

The senior has gotten a late start after being sidelined with an back injury that included pulled muscles and four displaced ribs.

Though Wolfe is not 100 percent, she said her back is feeling good enough to pitch.

"It was almost like everything back there kind of exploded," Wolfe said.

"I kind of have a bit of a mess back there and it took a couple of months to get the (ribs) back in and keep them in place."

She will likely see some action, with Taryne Mowatt shouldering most of the innings during the weekend series against No. 10 Louisiana.

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By Chris Davis
arizona daily star