FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) – Fans looking to catch the UCF baseball team on the diamond in 2010 will be able to start planning their spring as the Knights officially released their schedule and season-ticket information Thursday. The Black and Gold will play 19 of its first 21 games on campus, while UCF will have a total of 36 home games lined up for next season.
“We are looking forward to a very competitive 2010 schedule,” said second-year head coach Terry Rooney. “As always Conference USA continuously ranks as one of the top five baseball leagues in the country. That combined with our non-conference schedule will give fans plenty of opportunities to see the Knights this year.”
While UCF has three more home games this year compared to 2009, prices on season tickets remain unchanged for the 2010 campaign. Reserved chairback seating behind homeplate will be $199, while a reserved bleacher season ticket costs $150 for adults and $99 for faculty/staff, youth and seniors.
A great chance to purchase season tickets will be at Friday night’s Black & Gold World Series finale at 6:30 p.m. as UCF ticket office representatives will be on hand at the field. If you cannot make it out to the game, orders can be placed through the ticket office at 407-823-1000.
Friday will be the last time before spring camp opens that fans will be able to get a sneak peek at this year’s team, which is highlighted by not only several talented returning players but a unanimous top-10 recruiting class. Of the 35 players that make up the roster, 32 Knights hail from the state of Florida.
“All of our players are extremely anxious for Friday night,” said Rooney. “We will have a gameday atmosphere in the park and we are excited to play in front of our fans. This fall has been very successful, and our final intrasquad game will definitely be a great culmination for all the work the guys have put in over the last month.”
Opening Day 2010 is set for Friday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. when Savannah State travels to Orlando for a three-game series in what will be the first meeting between the Knights and Tigers.
Following a midweek tilt at Florida Feb. 24, UCF will host Siena (Feb. 26-28), Duquesne (March 2), North Florida (March 3), Central Michigan (March 5-7), Miami (March 9), Hartford (March 12-14) and USF (March 16) in a 13-game homestand.
The clash with the Miami Hurricanes marks the first contest between the two programs since 1995. UCF eventually makes the return trip to face UM March 23.
The Knights’ remaining non-conference home series takes place March 19-21 against Presbyterian, another team UCF has never faced.
For the second-straight season, UCF kicks off the Conference USA slate on the road when it heads to Houston March 26-28. Rooney’s program also makes trips this year to square off against Southern Miss, Marshall and Tulane. USM is coming off its first appearance in the College World Series.
Meanwhile, UCF welcomes UAB, Rice, Memphis and East Carolina to its East Orlando campus. The Owls and Pirates are both hoping to ride momentum from last year as they both reached the 2009 NCAA Super Regionals.
