MERION STATION, Pa. – Continuing its recent trend of challenging and competitive schedules, the Saint Joseph’s baseball team has announced an exciting slate of games for the 2016 season. The Hawks will kick off the season against Michigan in Santa Clara, California.
“We are certainly excited with our schedule this year,” said head coach Fritz Hamburg. “In the first few weekends, we will square off with several ball clubs that have had a high level of success in recent years. We will without a doubt be battle-tested as we head into our conference schedule.”
The Hawks kick off the 2016 campaign against the Wolverines – who reached the final of the Louisville Regional in last year’s NCAA Tournament – at Santa Clara’s Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament on February 26. SJU will also take on the host Broncos as well as UC-Davis and Utah Valley.
A trip to the Sunshine State awaits the Hawks at the start of March, with a three-game series at South Florida and a two game-set at Florida Atlantic leading up to one-off games with Western Michigan, Michigan State, and Central Michigan in Port Charlotte.
“Having the opportunity to not only compete, but to win at this level early will only help prepare us for the challenge of winning the Atlantic 10 Championship,” Hamburg said.
Saint Joseph’s will host Sacred Heart in the Hawks’ home opener on March 18. Canisius and Saint Peter’s will visit Smithson Field that weekend as well.
Three games against Rutgers – away games on April 8 and 9 and a home tilt on April 10 – will fill in the Hawks’ bye week from conference play.
The Atlantic 10 schedule opens on March 24 at Richmond. The Hawks will travel to Massachusetts and Saint Louis as well, while also playing a three-game set at La Salle. The home portion of the league slate includes the Hawks’ first-ever games against Davidson, as well as visits from Rhode Island, Fordham, and St. Bonaventure. The Hawks and Bonnies will close out the regular season at Smithson Field from May 19 to 21.
Home games with Bucknell and Rider as well as home-and-homes with Delaware, Monmouth, and Villanova highlight a full slate of midweek games, as does the annual Liberty Bell Classic. SJU opens play in the tournament at Lafayette on March 29.
“As with each season, we look forward to battling against our local rivals in the Liberty Bell Classic,” Hamburg said. “The opportunity for our program to win the championship and for our players to play in Citizens Bank Park is very important.”
After a one-year absence, the Hawks will look to return to the Atlantic 10 Championship for the third time in five seasons. Fordham will host the 2016 Championship, to be held at Houlihan Park from May 25 to 28.
“With the experience that we return both oin the field and on the mound, we should be ready to get back on track and be very competitive,” Hamburg said. “We are all looking forward to getting the season started.”
The Hawks will do just that on February 26. First pitch between the Hawks and Wolverines is set for 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
2016 St. Joes Baseball Schedule
