UConn Baseball announces 2009 games

UConn's Greg Nappo. Photo courtesy of UConn Athletic Communications.

Line-up includes the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla., when the Huskies will take on six different opponents.

The University of Connecticut baseball team, led by sixth-year head coach Jim Penders, has announced its 2009 schedule of opponents, featuring games in the BIG EAST/Big Ten Baseball Challenge in February.

In 2009, the Huskies will play in 22 home contests and 11 games at neutral sites, including the challenge on Feb. 20-22, 2009 at venues in St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Dunedin, Fla.

At the RussMatt Invitational in Winter Haven, Fla., the Huskies will take on six different opponents. Last season, UConn hosted 20 games at J.O. Christian Field. This season, 22 of the Huskies' 56 games won't be played on an opponent's home field.

"Since our season ended prematurely in Pittsburgh last May (17), our coaching staff and student-athletes have been working toward getting back on the field and reaching our goal of a championship season," said Penders.

"On Feb. 20, we will finally get that chance in Clearwater, Fla. against Michigan State. That will be the first step in a very difficult non-conference schedule to prepare for the rigors of a tough BIG EAST slate," Penders said. "We look forward to meeting that challenge and will continue to work in the coming months so that next May 17, we will fly back to Clearwater for the BIG EAST Tournament."

After 13 games in Florida, the Huskies will return to Connecticut to face in-state foe, Fairfield on March 16. (at a time to be determined)

UConn will compete in its home opener on March 20. Huskies begin BIG EAST Conference play with a battle against West Virginia. The Mountaineers finished the 2008 season in seventh place to make the BIG EAST before falling to South Florida in the conference tournament.

The Huskies will play 12 games in 13 days, including two BIG EAST Conference weekend series with West Virginia (March 20-22) and South Florida (March 27-29) in Storrs.

The beginning of April will see the Huskies on the road. They will travel to both Seton Hall (April 3-5)and Rutgers (April 9-11) for two league series.

They return to Storrs on April 14 to host Hartford at 3 p.m.

The Hartford game will begin a seven-game home stand for the Huskies, including a three-game series with Georgetown (April 17-19).

BIG EAST Regular Season Champion, St. John's, will play at J.O. Christian Field April 24-26.

Then, UConn hits the road for five contests, including a trip to South Bend, Ind., May 1-3 for a conference battle with Notre Dame.

Pittsburgh will travel to Storrs on May 9-10 for a Friday afternoon double-header and a Saturday single-game.

The Huskies' BIG EAST series at Villanova on May 14-16 wraps up the 2009 regular season before the BIG EAST Conference Tournament, set to take place at the Brighthouse Networks Field, May 19-23 in Clearwater, Fla.

Nov. 1, 2008