FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
UNC looks to go back to CWS
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Thirty-eight home games in the inaugural season at the state-of-the-art Bryson Field Boshamer Stadium highlight the University of North Carolina’s 2009 baseball schedule, which was released Tuesday. The Tar Heels, who have made three consecutive trips to the College World Series, will dedicate the facility Saturday, April 18, prior to a televised game against Miami.
UNC is scheduled to play its first game in the new facility Feb. 20 against VMI in the opening game of a three-game series. The Tar Heels will play their first 15 games at home, including a weekend set with Clemson to kick off ACC play March 6-8.
“We’re looking forward to returning to campus and opening our brand new ballpark,” said head coach Mike Fox, whose Tar Heels played last season at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary while Boshamer underwent renovations. “As usual, we have a challenging schedule before us, and the ACC will once again be one of the toughest leagues in the country week in and week out. We’ve got some outstanding teams coming to Chapel Hill for midweek games as well, so our fans will have an opportunity to see some great baseball in a beautiful new setting.”
In addition to a weekend series with the Hurricanes (April 17-19), and Tigers (March 6-8), Carolina will host Duke (March 20-22), Virginia (March 27-29) and Maryland (April 24-26) for three-game ACC weekend series.
The Tar Heels will take on Virginia Tech (March 13-15), Georgia Tech (April 3-5), Florida State (April 10-12), NC State (May 9-11) and Boston College (May 14-16) on the road in league play.
UNC will not face Wake Forest in the regular season for the second straight year.
In addition to ACC action, Carolina will play home-and-home with in-state rivals and 2008 NCAA Tournament participants Charlotte (March 25, May 12), East Carolina (April 7, April 22) and UNC Wilmington (March 24, April 21). Coastal Carolina (Feb. 24) and Elon (May 5) – both NCAA squads a year ago – also will make trips to Chapel Hill during the season to give Carolina a total of 23 games versus teams that reached the postseason a year ago.
UNC will also face in-state opponents Gardner-Webb (March 4), Appalachian State (March 10-11), Davidson (March 31) and High Point (April 14).
The 2008 ACC Baseball Championship will be played at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park from May 20-24, while the NCAA Regionals will be played May 29-31 on campus sites. Super Regionals are set for June 5-8, with the College World Series slated for June 13-24 in Omaha, Neb.
