Since the first day of practice, head coach Andy Lopez has stressed the importance of the Pac-10 schedule. He's downplayed the nonconference foes.

He didn't get too high when the Wildcats took two of three from Cal State Fullerton and he didn't get too down when they narrowly escaped a sweep by UC-Irvine with a Sunday tie.

Now comes the real test for Arizona.

"I'm really excited," Lopez said. "Hopefully (our non conference schedule) has gotten us ready. I'd like to think we've played very good people. We'll find out (today)."

The Wildcats (11-10-1) open their Pacific 10 Conference schedule today at 7 p.m. against the Washington State Cougars (14-6) at Sancet Stadium.

The three-game series continues tomorrow at 1 p.m. and Sunday at noon.

"We had a tough nonconference schedule, and that will only make us better," said freshman shortstop Jason Donald.

Arizona has already played five top-25 teams this season - half of all its games - posting a 4-7 record against them.

The Wildcats are coming off the losing end of a sweep for the first time all season. Arizona was out-hit by No. 7 Long Beach State in Southern California last weekend, and are hoping to bounce back and get off to a good start against the Cougars.

WSU leads the Pac-10 in runs per game at just under 8.4 per contest. It has won nine of its last 12 games, including a 2-1 series win over intrastate rival Washington. The Cougars are performing far better than the last-place finish the conference coaches predicted for them in the preseason poll.

Sophomore outfielder Jay Miller leads the team with a .397 batting average, 29 hits and 20 RBIs.

"You have to be able to control your opponent," Lopez said. "It will always come down to pitching."

Junior pitcher Koley Kolberg (2-2) will take on the high-scoring Cougar offense tonight. Kolberg has amassed a team-low 2.94 ERA, but has just a pair of wins to show for it. He has thrown complete games in each of his two losses.

Sophomore Luis Cortez (2-2, 5.72 ERA) will start for the Wildcats tomorrow, and sophomore Kevin Guyette (3-3, 6.13 ERA) gets the nod Sunday.

"I'm pleased with the pitching," Lopez said. "For a bunch of guys that had never really pitched in college, they are doing OK. It's not like they're setting the world on fire, but they are keeping us in just about every ball game."