Be careful what you ask for — or not.

The No. 1 Sun Devils (23-5, 8-1 Pac-10), who gained the top spot in the USA Today/ESPN coaches poll for the first time this season on Monday, will continue with one of the most difficult nonconference schedules in the nation beginning Tuesday.

A week after hosting then-No. 3 Cal State Fullerton, ASU now travels to Fayetteville, Ark., to play a two-game set with ninth-ranked Razorbacks.

Arkansas, a perennial SEC power and five-time College World Series participant since 1979, has steadily climbed the ranks since February, winning 22 of 28 games, including 10 of 12 in the SEC.

The Razorbacks play at one of the nicest college baseball facilities in the country.

Baum Stadium, with its newly constructed box seats included, has a capacity of well over 10,000.

Unlike programs west of Packard Stadium, the Razorbacks draw large crowds.

Arkansas was the first program in the country to average more than 8,000 fans in a season. The top-ranked team in the country is sure to draw plenty of spectators.

The Razorbacks have returned 16 lettermen this season, four of which are everyday players hitting over .300.

With a top of the order that features a leadoff hitter with an on-base percentage over .500 in Chase Leavit, and a heart of the lineup that yields the power strokes of Ben Tschepikow and Andy Wilkins — who have combined for 16 home runs — ASU pitchers will have to tread lightly.

While the Sun Devils are unlikely to face the top of the rotation, the Razorbacks present a formidable mid-week pitching rotation and bullpen. The Arkansas pitching staff has allowed opponents to hit only .254 while striking out almost three batters to every one they walk.

Crowned again

For the third time this season, an ASU starting pitcher was named Pac-10 Pitcher of The Week.

This time, junior Josh Spence won the honor after a two-inning save against CSF at home and an eight-inning gem on the road against Washington.

In the two appearances, Spence struck out a combined 16 batters without allowing an earned run. In addition to sitting atop the Pac-10 conference with their 8-1 record, the Sun Devils currently dominate the Pac-10 statistical leader boards as well.

Junior Jason Kipnis leads the Pac-10 in batting average with a .431 mark, slugging percentage (.843), on-base percentage (.537), runs scored (35), RBIs (41), doubles (13) and walks (24).

He is second in the conference in hits and stolen bases.

Junior Carlos Ramirez is tied for the Pac-10 lead in home runs with 10, while Kipnis is tied for third with nine.

ASU pitchers are also perched high above the competition.

Spence and Leake come in first or second in ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts and wins.

Leake leads the conference in opponent’s batting average.

Reach the reporter at nick.ruland@asu.edu.