Vandergeest Helps Power No. 1 Arizona

Mackenzie Vandergeest of Arizona can frequently smack softballs a long way.

She can throw them hard and accurately, whether from right field or as a catcher, her natural position.

A freshman from La Reina High, she starts in right field on the top-ranked team in the nation.

Most players would be thrilled to be so fortunate, but Vandergeest, a perfectionist, is not always pleased with her play.

"You have to remind her to have fun," said her mother, Kelly. "I tell her not to be so hard on herself."

Vandergeest, the Southern Section Division V player of the year last season after batting .553 with nine home runs and 37 runs batted in, has little reason for such self-criticism.

She is tied for second on the team in home runs with 16, is batting .372 with 52 RBIs and has a .777 slugging percentage.

Vandergeest and Leneah Manuma, who leads Arizona with 17 homers, are chasing the NCAA season home run record for a freshman established by Kelly Kretschman of Alabama with 25 in 1998. The Arizona and NCAA record is 37 by Laura Espinoza in 1995.

The Wildcats, 51-4 overall and 13-2 in the Pacific 10 Conference, have hit an NCAA season-record 104 home runs, four more than their previous mark of 100 in 1995.

Vandergeest said she's focusing more on helping the Wildcats win than on pursuing a home run record. And she's trying to be less demanding on herself.

"I don't try for the home runs," Vandergeest said. "If you do that, you start pressing too much. Hitting home runs feels great, but they don't matter if we don't win.

"Lately, I've been going out there to have fun and enjoy it. That's how it should be."

Vandergeest had to adjust to playing the outfield after many years behind the plate, where she's projected to start the next three seasons, replacing senior catcher Lindsey Collins. Vandergeest didn't mind the switch.

"There was only one spot open and it was in right field," Vandergeest said. "If you're hitting, you play. I made it my personal goal to work on my hitting."

Coach Mike Candrea tinkered with Vandergeest's hitting mechanics, creating a more efficient swing. She's taking advantage of her refined skills.

"She was a little bit of a sucker for the high pitch early in the season," Candrea said.

Although happy to play every day, Vandergeest is anxious to catch regularly.

"I know my duty," she said. "I've gotten to catch six or seven games. They're throwing me in there once in a while for experience.