Bryan Aughney - Head Coach
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
UTB/TSC will launch a tough 55-game baseball schedule January 23, featuring 36 home games and the Scorpions’ first games against NCAA Division I competition.
The Scorpions will meet The University of Texas-Pan American, a member of the NCAA Division I, in two games in Edinburg April 8 and 22.
UTB/TSC will also host New Mexico State University, another NCAA D-1 school, at Scorpion Field for single games April 24 and 25.
“We are excited to have a tough schedule, and it’s designed to set us up for the post season – everything we do is geared towards a conference championship,” Scorpion head coach Bryan Aughney said. “The great thing about our schedule is we play a ton of games at home, on our turf.”
The home games against NCAA Division I schools are the first for Scorpion baseball. UTB/TSC, which has been a member of the NAIA since 2006, played at Houston Baptist University last year. The Scorpion women’s volleyball team hosted Houston Baptist in 2007.
New Mexico State will also play at UTPA during its visit to South Texas. The Aggies were 28-33 during the 2008 season.
The meetings with the Broncs at Edinburg Baseball Stadium in April marks the first time the Scorpions and Broncs have ever met in baseball in competitive situations. The two teams have scrimmaged in the past.
“Playing NCAA Division I opponents is a great opportunity for our players and our program,” Aughney said.
New Mexico State was 28-33 last year and UTPA was 21-35.
The Scorpions will be challenged early in the season again by four strong NAIA teams who were nationally ranked or finished with excellent records last season.
UTB/TSC begins the season with 11 straight home games starting January 23 against Wayland Baptist University (43-16-1, #13 in 2008), Lubbock Christian University (53-4, #1 in 2008), and University of Houston-Victoria (28-5 in 2008), coached by former Houston Astros’ infielder Terry Puhl.
The Scorpions will also host Texas Wesleyan University (42-16, #25 in 2008) for three games.
March is highlighted by a stretch of 16 straight home games from March 14-28, including nine against Fisher College (Mass.) and Valley City State University (N.D.), both of whom are spending Spring Break in South Texas.
“We are excited to get things rolling this season and can’t wait to begin the campaign in January,’ Aughney said.
