BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Highlighted by 34 home games at Jim Perry Stadium, Campbell has released its 2016 baseball schedule.
The full 56-game schedule also features seven opponents (16 games) that have been NCAA Tournament participants over the last two seasons, and eight Big South series, including four at Jim Perry Stadium. CU will also host a home tournament for the third straight year.
“We’re fortunate to have the facility that we have and an administration that wants us to play at home,” said second year head coach Just Haire. “A lot of mid-major programs have to go on the road early in the year. We have a great fan base that is very supportive, and we want to continue to bring in quality opponents to Jim Perry Stadium. We’ve had a lot of success at home over the last few years and we want to continue to build on that.”
18 of the Camels’ first 21 games will come at home, beginning the 2016 season on Feb. 19 against Miami (Ohio) in Buies Creek. After a midweek trip to Duke on Feb. 23, Campbell will host Big Ten member Minnesota (Feb. 26-28), Duke (March 2) and 2015 NCAA Tournament participant Canisius (March 4-5).
The Camels will head to Virginia Tech for a two-game set March 8-9, returning to Jim Perry Stadium March 11-13 for the Campbell Invitational, which includes Davidson, Indiana State and Rhode Island.
“Virginia Tech will be our first real chance to get on the road, and with a bunch of new guys that’s going to be fun and important for us before getting into conference play,” said Haire. “Our first two weeks of conference come on the road, so I think it’s important to get on the road and play a quality opponent.”
Campbell also hosts Rider (March 15-16) and North Carolina A&T (March 18-20) to close out its early season home stand.
CU will travel to nearby North Carolina Central on March 22 before beginning Big South play on the road at Charleston Southern (March 24-26). The team’s first two BSC series will come on the road, also heading to defending league champion Radford April 1-3. NCCU makes a return trip to Buies Creek on April 20.
“Our conference gets better every year,” said Haire. “The first two conference weekends on the road are going to be challenging at Charleston Southern and at Radford, so we’re going to know where we stand right out of the shoot. There’s a good balance in the schedule. We’ll be looking to put ourselves in a good position heading into those last couple of weekends, and hopefully playing our best in May.”
Campbell begins its Big South home schedule April 8-10 against Gardner-Webb. The Camels also host Liberty (April 15-17), Presbyterian (May 6-8) and High Point (May 13-15). The Camels head to Longwood April 22-24, finishing out the 2016 season May 19-21 at Coastal Carolina.
Trips to North Carolina (April 27) and East Carolina (May 17) also highlight the Camels’ road schedule. CU will again meet Appalachian State in a neutral site matchup on April 5. Details will be announced at a later date.
The 2016 slate also includes home and home sets with UNC Greensboro (March 30 at Buies Creek, April 26 at Greensboro), UNC Wilmington (April 6 at Buies Creek, April 19 at Wilmington) and Elon (April 13 at Elon, May 10 at Elon).
Season tickets for all 34 home dates are available for $75 at GoCamels.com.
CU has won 163 games over the last four seasons, winning 40 games three-straight years from 2012-14. Campbell claimed the Big South Tournament title in 2014 after winning the league’s regular season in 2013. Campbell owns a 101-37 (.732) record at home over the last four seasons.
Junior Cole Hallum was named the 2015 Big South Player of the Year, and four Camels were also named Second Team All-Big South, including Heath Bowers (starting pitcher), Cedric Mullins (outfield) and Steven Leonard (catcher), as well as Matt Parrish (designated hitter).
Hallum was tabbed Third Team Louisville Slugger All-American by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, marking the sixth time in four years that a Camel has gained All-America status. Parrish also picked up CoSIDA Academic All-America status for the second straight year.
Three Camels, Mullins, Leonard and Bowers, were also selected in the 2015 MLB Draft.
2016 Campbell Baseball Schedule
