Baseball Opener Friday Night
2/17/2012 12:02:00 AM | Baseball
First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday and at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Friday, fans can take advantage of SHSU baseball's special Family Night offer ($8 reserved ticket with hot dog, pop corn and coke) or the Sunday Kids' Day special (one parent buys an $8 reserved seat with up to four?children free.?
The contest marks the debut of former Rice Owl pitching coach David Pierce as the new Bearkat head baseball coach. Pierce and his staff returning only three starters from last year's Sam Houston squad that reached the third round of the Southland post-season tournament. The new coach's young squad features 10 freshmen and seven transfers
The USD Toreros are the preseason picks to win the West Coast Athletic Conference. San Diego will feature six returning All-WCC performers from last season highlighted by All-American third baseman Kris Bryant.
Bryant led the WCC with a .410 batting average in league action to earn conference Co-Player of the Year and Co-Freshman of the Year honors.
Other returning All-WCC performers returning for the Toreros are infielder Bryan Haar (.333), first baseman Corey LeVier (.363), infielder Dillon Checkal (.316) and pitchers Calvin Dummond (3.29 ERA) and Michael Wagner (2.21 ERA).
"San Diego will be a tough opponent for us," Pierce said. "Their head coach Rich Hill is a good friend and we're excited about opening the season against such a quality opponent."
Returning starters for the Bearkats include third baseman Kevin Miller, catcher John Hale and outfielder Greg Olson. Miller is the team's top returning hitter with a .309 average last year.
The Bearkats have been tabbed to finish fifth in the annual preseason poll of the league's head coaches.
Sam Houston looks to start three experienced pitchers with left handers Caleb Smith (4-3, 3.18 ERA) and Cody Dickson (4-1, 4.34) throwing Friday and Saturday nights and right-hander Justin Jackson going Sunday.
USD will start three right-handers with Calvin Drummond (3-4, 3.29), Paul Sewald (2-4, 3.63) and Dylan Covey (1-3, 7.60 ERA) scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.
"Pitching can be a strength for us this season," Pierce said. "We've really been excited about the way the players have responded to what the new staff is doing. We have some outstanding newcomers and are eager to get a look at what they can do."
Tickets for Sam Houston State baseball games at Don Sanders Stadium are available online at www.gobearkats.com/tickets or at the SHSU athletic ticket office at the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. The ticket office telephone is (936) 294-1729 and office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
