CHRIS CODUTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Pitcher Ritchie Gardner was named Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week last weekend. Gardner won both games he started and is 6-0 on the season.

The Arizona baseball team heads to Los Angeles this weekend for its first Pac-10 road series against what has historically been one of its toughest opponents ÷ the UCLA Bruins.

In 75 years of competition, the two teams have fought almost to a stalemate, with UCLA taking two of three last year in Tucson to move out in front, 100-99-1.

But this year's incarnation of the matchup will see two teams that seem to be moving in different directions.

The Wildcats (21-8, 2-1 Pacific-10 Conference) enter the weekend fresh off their first series win over Southern California in 10 years and enjoying their first week in the Baseball America rankings since the 2000 season.

Meanwhile, the Bruins (15-15) have been inconsistent all season. Last time out, UCLA dropped a 2-0 pitchers' duel to No. 5 Long Beach State.

Head coach Andy Lopez, a UCLA alumnus, said his team can't afford to overlook the Bruins.

"I think anytime you play in the Pac-10, it's going to be a test," Lopez said. "I think every weekend's going to be a tough weekend ÷ you've just got to grind it out."

Junior Brian Anderson agreed.

"Every Pac-10 team is going to be really tough," he said. "It doesn't matter who they are."

Defending Pac-10 freshman of the year Wes Whisler spearheads the Bruin attack, but his struggles this year have often mirrored his team's.

Whisler, who pitches and plays first base, enters today's game with a 2-4 record on the mound and a 6.44 ERA and has batted .297 with a pair of home runs and 15 RBIs.

Arizona has enjoyed strong offensive performances from a number of different players this season, a trend that Anderson said he credits for much of his team's success.

"Last year, we just had no depth. It was a big-time struggle," Anderson said. "This year, it's just so exciting to know that if I'm not coming through, or anybody on the team isn't coming through, someone else is going to step up and pick them up."

Last weekend's series saw a pair of freshmen deliver clutch hits.

Nick Hundley batted .545 in the three-game set against USC, including hitting 4-for-4 and scoring four runs in Sunday's clincher.

Brad Boyer hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth on Saturday, and posted a 4-for-5, 3 RBI day on Sunday as an encore.

Today's 6 p.m. game at Jackie Robinson Stadium will pit UA's Joe Little (4-2, 3.06 ERA) against Chris Cordeiro (0-0, 3.10).

Saturday's tiff will feature this week's Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week, Arizona's Richie Gardner (6-0, 2.19), squaring off against Whisler.

As expected, Lopez altered his usual rotation for Sunday's game. Junior Sean Rierson will not start, giving way to freshman Kevin Guyette (2-1, 1.24). UCLA will counter with Casey Janssen (3-3, 5.06).

Despite the perils of the Pac-10 road, Anderson said he likes his team's chances.

"If we go out and play hard, by the end of this weekend we could be 5-1," Anderson said.