Junior Becky Lemke struck out 10 and allowed only two hits in the opener. UA scored all the runs it needed with an fourth inning 2-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Jennie Finch and an RBI single by Chrissy Gil. Later, in the sixth, junior college transfer Allison Andrade socked a three-run home run to right.

The Cats collected 12 hits off Heather Brown, but Central also hurt itself with five errors.

In the second game, pitchers Jennie Finch and Central's Missy Passley were both effective, but with two out in the sixth, UA's Lauren Bauer singled and stole second, then scored on Lindsey Collins' single to left.

Finch pitched a one-hitter and struck out nine. Passley allowed four hits and struck out four.

UA opens the regular season against No. 5 Southern Mississippi at 2 p.m. Friday. Southern Miss meets No. 2 Washington in an earlier game at 12 noon as part of the three-day Arizona Softball Classic.