Amherst, Mass. – Four weekend series at Earl Lorden Field, the return of the Boston Beanpot finals to historic Fenway Park and non-conference matchups against Kentucky and Florida Gulf Coast highlight the 2015 UMass baseball schedule, which was announced on Monday.
The Minutemen will open their 2015 campaign on March 3 when they head to New Britain, Conn. , to square off against Central Connecticut before heading south to Lexington, Ky., for a four-game set with the 2014 NCAA tournament qualifying Kentucky Wildcats March 6-8.
UMass will continue its early season road stretch when it travels to Florida for three games against Army in Tampa, Fla., and a double header vs. the Harvard in nearby Winter Haven, Fla., March 14-17, respectively.
After a pair of weekend series at Dayton and VCU to open Atlantic 10 Conference play, March 20-22, and March 27-29, UMass will return home to host George Washington at Earl Lorden Field April 3. The matchup vs. the Colonials will also mark UMass’ home opener.
The series against George Washington will be the first of four home conference weekends for the Minutemen in 2015. UMass will also host St. Bonaventure (April 10-12), Richmond (May 1-3) and Rhode Island (May 8-10).
The 2015 Beanpot will open for UMass with a first round matchup against Harvard on Wednesday, April 8 in Amherst while the consolation and championship games will return to Fenway Park on Wednesday, April 22.
The season will conclude in Fairfax, Va. when UMass takes on the 2014 Atlantic 10 champion George Mason Patriots May 14-16, the Minutemen’s first trip to Mason’s Raymond Spuhler Field as conference foes. This road trip caps off a season that also sees UMass face St. Louis, April 17-19 as well as a non-conference series against Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers, Fla., April 24-26.
The 2015 Minutemen roster features 22 members from last year’s team, including red shirt seniors Kyle Adie, Adam Picard, and Rob McLam, a 2013 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team member. Also returning is 2014 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year Mike Geannelis, who hit .347 with two home runs, 16 RBI and 11 runs scored while leading UMass to a team high 4 wins over 14 appearances from the rubber last season.
