SUSIE LEMONT/Arizona Daily Wildcat Junior pitcher Joe Little and freshman catcher Nick Hundley warm up before a game earlier this season at Sancet Field.

Arizona is the surprise host of its own impromptu mini-tournament this weekend.

Originally, UA was set to play in Surprise at the new Texas Rangers spring training facility, but because of the tournament's cancellation, the Wildcats invited their opponents to the Southwest for four days.

"It'll be good getting into a rhythm playing these games," left-fielder Trevor Crowe said. "It's fun playing all the time; I would play seven games in seven days if I could."

The Wildcats, who are coming off their most impressive series of the season, open a three-game series tonight against Minnesota followed by a one-gamer Monday against Oklahoma State.

Last weekend, the Arizona pitching staff gave up one earned run amid a three-game sweep on the road. Besides three quality starts by UA starting pitchers, relievers John Meloan and Mark Worrell each picked up saves.

"I was pleased the pitching showed up because it's a pleasant sign in terms of experience," head coach Andy Lopez said.

Mark it: Who: UA vs. Minnesota When: today, 2 p.m., tomorrow, 5 p.m., Sunday, noon. Where: Sancet Field

Arizona scored 20 runs over the series, led by right fielder Jeff Van Houten's six hits and catcher Nick Hundley's four. Sophomore first baseman Pat Reilly extended his hitting streak, which dates back to last season, to 11 games.

Today's game will be Minnesota's first of the season after the Golden Gophers lost 5-4 in a scrimmage against their alumni. Ex-Golden Gopher catcher Terry Steinbach went one-for-two in the contest.

The Golden Gophers finished 18-10 overall last year with an 8-5 Big Ten Conference record. Shortstop Scott Welch's .339 batting average was the second highest on the team.

After Sunday's series finale with Arizona, Minnesota will play Oklahoma State at 5 p.m Monday.

The Cowboys (2-3) return to Arizona for the second straight week after losing to Oregon State on Feb. 14 and Arizona State the next day in Surprise.

After the Sunday and Monday games in Tucson, Oklahoma State will close out a season-opening, eight-game road trip that spanned close to 7,000 miles with stops in Florida and Arizona.

Arizona will start junior Joe Little (2-1, 2.33 ERA) tonight while juniors Sean Rierson (1-0, 6.19 ERA) and Richie Gardner (2-0, 3.09 ERA) will take the mound on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Rierson was named Collegiate Baseball/ Louisville Slugger national pitcher of the week for his efforts last weekend against UC Irvine.

Meloan will make his first collegiate start on Monday.

Friday's game starts at 3 p.m., while Saturday's start time is 2 p.m. Sunday's game begins at noon followed by the Minnesota/Oklahoma State game at 5 p.m. Monday's game starts at 2 p.m. All games will be at Sancet Field.