Matt Weir / Collegian File Photo
With a competitive start, the Bulldogs look to finish strong
Head coach Mike Batesole is taking note of Pat Hill’s scheduling philosophy — playing a tough non-conference schedule before starting Western Athletic Conference (WAC) play.
The Fresno State baseball team will open up the 2010 season with a four-game series against Big-12 powerhouse Nebraska Friday at 6:05 p.m. at Beiden Field.
Traditionally a contender in the Big 12, Nebraska has made three trips to the College World Series this decade, in 2001, 2002 and 2005. Nebraska has also made eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament during the decade.
Nebraska returns four starters including All-Big-12 senior first baseman Tyler Farst. Farst led the Cornerhuskers with a .333 batting average while hitting three home runs and 36 RBIs in 2009. He also led the team in hits, doubles and runs scored with 36.
Also returning for the ‘Huskers will be senior outfielder Adam Bailey. The senior hit a team-leading 12 home runs and a team-best 50 RBIs while batting .325 during the ’09 season.
The ‘Huskers also returned five of their top six pitchers from the previous year.
Nebraska will look to be an early test for the ‘Dogs.
The Fresno State baseball team will also play three Pac-10 programs as part of their non-conference schedule. The ‘Dogs will travel to Seattle in late February to take part in a three-game series against the Washington Huskies.
The ‘Dogs then play host as they take on the Oregon Ducks in a four-game series at Beiden Field.
The team ends their play against the Pac-10 with a trip to Berkeley, Calif., as they go bat-for-bat with the Bears.
The diamond ‘Dogs will also be playing two ranked opponents this year in non-conference play. Cal State Fullerton and Cal State San Diego are both ranked in the USA Today/ESPN Top 25 coaches’ preseason poll at No. 3 and No. 23 respectively.
The ‘Dogs are scheduled to play the ranked teams in the San Diego State Invitational which also includes San Francisco State and San Diego State — who ended the ‘Dogs ‘09 season.
The team will continue its tough non-conference schedule as they face off against regional power and Big West foe Cal Poly.
The ‘Dogs will travel to Cal Poly in March and the Mustangs will be making two return trips to Beiden Field in April and May. Cal Poly received three votes in the coaches’ preseason poll.
Rounding out the non-conference schedule will be four games against Cal State Bakersfield, a four-game series against Loyola Marymount, two three game-series with UC Davis and Dallas Baptist and a home game against Santa Clara.
Coach Batesole said the tough non-conference schedule will prepare the team to do well in conference play.