FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
ARLINGTON, Texas – UT Arlington baseball coach Darin Thomas announced the 2013 schedule today. The 56-game slate features 11 nonconference games against members of the Big 12, including a March 19 home date against TCU at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, and 27 games in the Western Athletic Conference.
“We have put together a very challenging non-conference schedule that should once again prepare our team to play at a high level every time we take the field,” Thomas said.
The Mavericks are coming off 36-25 season that included Southland Conference championship and trip to the NCAA regionals. UTA traditionally plays a schedule loaded with top regional programs, and the upcoming season is no different.
After opening the season Feb. 15 with a three-game home series against Louisiana Tech at Clay Gould Ballpark, the Mavericks travel to Austin to take on Big 12 member Texas on Feb. 19. Other road games against Big 12 schools: TCU (Feb. 26 and May 14), Texas Tech (March 8-10) and Baylor (April 9). The Mavericks are at SEC program Texas A&M on March 26.
The nonconference home schedule at Clay Gould Ballpark is highlighted by the UTA Tournament (March 1-3), Oklahoma (March 5) and Baylor (April 30). The Mavericks are also hosting a game for the first time at Rangers Ballpark on March 19 against TCU.
“We are really excited about the chance to play TCU at the Ballpark,” Thomas said. “That is a first for our program, and I know it will be a great atmosphere for our players and fans alike.”
WAC play opens on the road at UTSA from March 22-24. The first WAC home series is April 5-6 against Cal State from April 5-7. The WAC season ends May 17-19 at Sacramento State and the conference tournament is May 22-26 at QuikTrip Park in Grand Prairie.
“The WAC will be a very challenging league,” Thomas said. “We know how tough it will be. We feel very fortunate to having the WAC tournament being played at QuikTrip Park. It will be the closest thing to hosting the conference tournament that we have had since I have been here.”
