Arizona head coach Andy Lopez will be reunited with the school he made his coaching debut at this weekend when the Wildcats take on California State Dominguez Hills tomorrow for a two-game series.

Lopez began his coaching career with the Toros in 1983. That season, CSDH finished 15-27 overall but, three years later, he guided them to a conference championship.

In 1987, the Toros won their second consecutive conference championship and reached the NCAA Division II World Series for the first time in school history with a record of 43-15.

Despite the fact that it was his first coaching job and he's still close friends with current head coach George Wing, Lopez said he wants to make sure his team plays their own game.

"I'd tell you if we were playing the New York Yankees it doesn't matter who you're playing, you want to play well, just as long as you continue to improve," he said.

UA sophomore pitcher Tony Sulser said he knows Lopez has ties to CSDH, but said his coach won't be distracted.

"I know that he cares for the coach a lot but it's all business and they are just another team," said Sulser.

The Toros were added to the schedule in the fall when longtime opponent St. Mary's University canceled the three game series originally scheduled for this weekend.

Lopez said he is upset with St. Mary's canceling.

"They told me they had some fiscal and some in-house problems," Lopez said. "That's really ridiculous and poor because it's bad business and you just don't cancel a series."

CSDH (7-7 overall, 2-7 in CCAA conference) is coming off of a four-game losing streak during which they were swept by Grand Canyon University last weekend. Before taking on UA, they will play a two-game set with California State Los Angeles.

The Wildcats (15-4) have prepared for the Toros by working on their infield communication, especially after they made several mistakes during last week's series against California Irvine. The Wildcats failed to execute two key bunt coverages that led to Anteater runs.

"We haven't done a very good job on our coverages," Lopez said. "That is something that can come back and really bite you against a really good team."

Freshman Rick Mercado comes into the game leading the team with a .400 batting average. The designated hitter said the team hasn't given him a hard time for showing the older players on the team how to hit.

"The guys on the team don't treat me any different," he said. "I'm just happy to help contribute to the team," he said.

Mercado credits his short swing to his early success but hasn't made any adjustments to his stroke.

"I just want to stay short and through and not pull off of the ball," Mercado said. " I want to stay on top of the ball and good things will happen."

Sophomore pitchers Sean Rierson and Joe Little will most likely start tomorrow and Sunday, respectively. Tomorrow's game begins at 5 p.m. and Sunday's at 1:30 p.m at Sancet Field.