FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
STOCKTON, Calif. – Forty-two games against California rivals and non-conference match-ups with USC, Kansas State, North Carolina State, Stanford, Cal, Santa Clara and Gonzaga, along with 23 home games and a 24 game Big West slate highlight the 2011 Pacific baseball schedule which head coach Ed Sprague released today.
“Once again, we have a challenging non-conference schedule with a number of regional rivals,” Sprague said. “The Big West will be as competitive as ever, and we feel this year’s schedule gives our fans a number of opportunities to see their Tigers play some real quality opponents at Klein Family Field. We’re looking forward to opening day against Kansas State.”
The Tigers will play 14 games against programs which advanced to the NCAA Regionals last season, including a season-opening series at Klein Family Field against Kansas State (Feb. 18-20).
The Tigers will take on K-State again, along with NCAA Regional opponent North Carolina State and Western Kentucky at Coastal Carolina’s Baseball at the Beach tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. (Feb. 25-27).
As the calendar turns to March, the Tigers welcome in Sacramento State for a mid-week contest (Mar. 2), followed by a three-game home stand against Gonzaga of the West Coast Conference (Mar. 4-6). Pacific hosts San Jose State (Mar. 8th) before a six-game road trip at Nevada (Mar. 11-13) and at Southern Cal (Mar. 18-20).
The Stanford Cardinal, an NCAA Regional team last season, visit Klein Family Field on March 23, followed by a split-weekend against San Francisco. The Tigers host the Dons on Friday (Mar. 25) before playing at USF on Mar. 26-27. On Mar. 29, the Tigers visit Sacramento State for a mid-week matchup before opening the Big West slate at home.
Long Beach State comes to Klein Family Field for a three-game set (Apr. 1-3), prior to a mid-week meeting at Cal on Apr. 5. The Tigers return to Big West play at UC Riverside (Apr. 8-10) before returning a visit to Stanford (Apr. 12).
After a home series against UC Irvine (Apr. 15-17), the Tigers play seven straight on the road, at Cal State Northridge (Apr. 21-23), at Santa Clara (Apr. 26), and at Cal State Fullerton, which advanced to the NCAA Super-Regionals last year (Apr. 29-May 1).
The Tigers return home to face UC Davis (May 6-8), and then step out of conference for a mid-week game at San Jose State (May 10) before a road trip to the Pacific Northwest to face Seattle (May 13-15) and Washington (May 16),
Pacific wraps up its home slate against Cal Poly (May 20-22) and against Cal (May 24). The Tigers close the regular season at UC Santa Barbara (May 27-39).
Once again the Tigers will hold Salute the Troops Sundays through out the season, as the Tigers will don their camouflage uniforms and offer free admission to all members of the military (active or inactive) on each home Sunday date.
“It has been a great way for our program to recognize those who have served our country,” Sprague said. “Salute the Troops Sundays continues to be an honor for us to be able to welcome the brave men and women of our community to Klein Family Field.”
