FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Opening day is 64 days away as Austin Peay State University baseball head coach Gary McClure unveiled his 2010 schedule, Wednesday.
Austin Peay will play 12 games against teams that played in last season’s NCAA tournament, including a two-game set, March 9-10, at Mississippi, which reached the NCAA Super Regionals. Also on the slate at home-and-away series against Western Kentucky (No. 23) and Vanderbilt (No. 29), who both joined Mississippi (No. 12) as teams ranked in 2009’s final Collegiate Baseball poll.
"We’re looking forward to our 2010 schedule," said McClure. "It is a schedule with plenty of opportunities to test ourselves against the best in the country. It should prepare us to compete in the Ohio Valley Conference this season."
The Govs open the season with 10 of their first 12 games at Raymond C. Hand Park. The season begins with the Riverview Inn Classic, a four-game affair that has the Govs hosting Illinois State and Iowa. APSU and Illinois State will open the season with a 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19 outing.
After a trip to Vanderbilt, the Govs host Northern Illinois in a three-game weekend set. Austin Peay then travels to Western Kentucky for a midweek outing before returning home for its second tournament, the Riverview Inn Invitational. The Govs host Dayton, Milwaukee and SIU Edwardsville in the seven-game affair, March 5-7.
Austin Peay will spend its Spring Break on the road with two-game series at Mississippi, March 9-10, and at Charlotte, March 12-13. After returning home, the Govs play 9 of their next 10 at home, including a third tournament – the Governors Challenge – with Georgia State and Centenary visiting Raymond C. Hand Park.
The Ohio Valley Conference race begins March 27-28 when Murray State visits Clarksville. The Govs also will host Jacksonville State, Morehead State and Tennessee Martin this season. The road slate has the Govs traveling to Eastern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri.
"I believe the OVC race will be another tough road this season," said McClure. "This season’s league schedule gives us a nice mix of challenges at home and on the road. We have to be ready each time out as the league gets tougher each year."
The Govs will meet Memphis in a 6:30 p.m., April 6 contest at Pringles Park in Jackson – the site of the 2010 OVC Baseball Tournament. Also in April, the Govs host Western Kentucky (13th), Belmont (20th) and Vanderbilt (27th).
Austin Peay will have its mettle tested during the regular-season’s final month. The Govs open May with a home series against Morehead State. However the Govs will play their next eight games on the road – including OVC sets at tournament champion Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri – before closing out the regular-season slate at home against Tennessee Martin.
The 2010 OVC Baseball Tournament will begin a three-year stay in Jackson at Pringles Park, home of the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx – a Double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. The six-team, double-elimination tournament begins May 26.
