FILE PHOTO/Arizona Daily Wildcat Pitcher Sean Rierson follows through on a pitch during a game at Sancet Field. UA opens its series with UW tonight at 7.

Arizona returns to conference play at home with Huskies

From here on out, every series is crucial for the Arizona baseball team.

After last weekend's 2-1 series victory against Miami (Ohio) in the final non-conference series of the season, the Wildcats enter the home stretch of the Pacific 10 Conference schedule today when Washington visits Sancet Field.

"We are more concerned with winning in the Pacific 10 Conference," outfielder Jeff Van Houten said. "Non-conference games really don't matter. The only thing that matters is hitting in Pac-10 (games) and winning."

Series Information Who: Washington at UA When: Today; 7 p.m. Tomorrow; 7 p.m. Sunday; 1 p.m. Where: Sancet Field

Van Houten didn't play like last weekend's games didn't matter, though. The sophomore locked up his second Pac-10 Player of the Week award of the season with a 9-for-13 hitting performance against the Redhawks, including two triples, a homer and eight RBIs.

Arizona (24-11, 3-3 Pac-10) will need another strong performance from the Pac-10's leading hitter this weekend against a Huskies team that boasts a similar record (21-10, 3-3), and is fresh off of a Pac-10 series win against Oregon State.

Washington designated hitter Chad Boudon, a transfer from Hawaii, leads the UW attack with a .323 average and 24 RBIs, as well as 10 home runs. Boudon's homer total ties him for third in the Pac-10, along with UA junior Brian Anderson, among others.

Head coach Andy Lopez said he expects a challenge from every conference foe.

"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."

Unfortunately for his team, many of the Wildcats have had to do just that. A few of the team's biggest contributors continue to fight through nagging injuries without missing starts, including sophomore Pat Reilly (hand), junior Terrence Taylor (ankle) and Van Houten (ribs). Lopez expects freshman Nick Hundley and junior Moises Duran to return to action this weekend after missing the last series with injuries.

Meanwhile, recent shakeups in the pitching staff have continued. Today's game will feature UA ace Richie Gardner (6-1, 3.02 ERA) taking on UW's Sean White (5-3, 4.82), but Sean Rierson moves into the Saturday slot two weeks removed from being demoted to the bullpen. Rierson (6-1, 5.14) will face Jeff Petersen (2-2, 4.60). Freshman Kevin Guyette (2-2, 3.60) may drop back out of the rotation after a pair of shaky outings. Joe Little (4-2, 3.46) would be his likely replacement to counter UW's Trevor Gibson (3-0, 3.58) on Sunday.

Today's and tomorrow's contests begin at 7 p.m., with Sunday's game scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.

David Stevenson contributed to this report