Susie Lemont/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman catcher Nick Hundley and the Arizona baseball face off against No. 13 Baylor this weekend. Last time out, the Wildcats defeated BYU two out of three tries scoring 49 runs in the victories.

This weekend's series versus No. 13 Baylor should provide a formidable opponent for the Arizona baseball team, unlike the last.

The Wildcats scored 49 runs en route to winning the final two games of last weekend's series against Brigham Young University.

"Baylor's a much older team with some success over the years," head coach Andy Lopez said. "This should be more of a challenge for us."

The Wildcats will try to capitalize on last week's offense binge without concentrating directly on the Bears. UA looks to gain experience among their freshman during Alumni Weekend.

Arizona's offense came close to setting school records in the 52-run overall series performance against BYU. The combined run total tied the third-most runs scored in a series. Sunday's 32-3 victory also tied the third-most runs scored in a single game. Sophomore catcher Rick Mercado's six hits on Sunday also tied the school record for most hits in a single game.

But Lopez wants to see other things besides big offense numbers.

"Ultimately, it's going to come down to how consistent we are," Lopez said. "It's not real good to score 32 and then get shut out; you'd rather be consist with your performance."

Baylor finished last season with a 36-26 overall record but was bounced by eventual national champion Texas in the NCAA Austin Regional. Senior Ross Bennett led the team with a .357 average.

In their season opener, the Bears (0-1) blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning in a 9-5 loss to Southwest Texas. Closer Zane Carlson, the school's career saves leader, gave up four runs on three hits in two and two-thirds innings of work during the seven run Bobcat rally. Baylor is also ranked 10th in the nation by Baseball America.

"I read about them, and it's exciting to play them because of their rankings," outfielder Chris Frey said. "Just playing a team like that will show us where we are right now."

This week's series versus Baylor allows UA to fall into its weekly routine. The series against BYU started on Thursday because of the Cougar's religious purposes. In the opener, Arizona struck out 11 times and couldn't string together back-to-back hits in the 6-3 loss.

"This series (against Baylor), I'm going to get myself in better counts and not swing at the first pitch," freshman centerfielder Dallas Haught said.

Today kicks off a different kind of Alumni Weekend from that of years past. Instead of the annual All-Pro Alumni game reserved for active Wildcats in professional baseball, the weekend consists of a dinner reception, golf and a Sunday morning brunch open to all baseball alumni.

Before the Sunday series finale, all three national championship teams will be recognized during pre-game ceremonies. The alumni will also sign autographs before the game starts.

Junior pitcher Joe Little (0-1 3.00 ERA) will start today against Baylor's Jared Theodorakas. Junior Sean Rierson (0-0, 18.00 ERA) will face Trey Taylor on Saturday, and junior Richie Gardner (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will square off with Steven White.

Today's game begins at 3 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday's games begin at 1 p.m. All games are at Sancet Field.