After the Arizona softball team defeated the Crieghton Bluejays on Wednesday, head coach Mike Candrea said the time has come “”to start ramping things up.””

That’s exactly what the No. 4 Wildcats plan to do this weekend when the No. 22 Baylor Bears travel to Hillenbrand Stadium.

This will be Arizona’s first non-tournament weekend series of the year, signaling a return to the traditional three-game series format.

Despite the distance between the team’s rankings, the Wildcats and the Bears have the same record this season at 20-2.

“”They have a really good record and we’ve been hearing really good things so it’s kind of pumping us up a little bit,”” pitcher Kenzie Fowler said, “”to get a team like that coming into Hillenbrand to give us a good test and to see where we’re at,””

Candrea added that the series is beneficial to the team because it mimics the style of Pacific 10 Conference play, which starts April 1.

“”They’re a very good team, they’re as good as any Pac-10 matchup that we’ve had and we will have,”” Candrea said.

The Bears talented pitching will challenge the Wildcat hitters, who have a combined .342 batting average. Brittany Lastrapes leads the team with a .500 batting average. But Candrea said Baylor brings a complete test that will help get the Wildcats ready for the Judi Garman Classic next week and conference play.

“”Good pitching. You’ll see a rise ball pitcher that throws about 67 miles per hour, which will be a good challenge,”” Candrea said. “”They’re a very well coached team. Very aggressive and (they) swing the bats. They’re a solid team.””

Candrea said that Fowler will also be tested this weekend and that he plans to get her more innings before conference play starts. The sophomore, who pitched a nearly perfect game against Creighton, allowed just one hit in six innings.

“”Baylor is going to get all of us prepared, pitching included,”” Fowler said. “”It will be a good test for me and for all of us.””