Trojan News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca Nazarene University baseball team and Head Coach Jonathan Burton announced the schedule for the 2010 season. Highlighting the slate are a total of 26 games against teams that made the NAIA Tournament last year, including 13 versus teams that reached the NAIA World Series.

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In all, nine teams on the 2010 schedule appeared in the NAIA Tournament last season, four appeared in the NAIA World Series last year.

"Our schedule outside of conference is as demanding as it's ever been," Burton said. "We play some great teams that will allow us to evaluate our team and see what areas we need to improve on to make a run at winning the TranSouth. Before the first poll is released, we will have played 12 games against the top 11. Clearly, we will have an idea of what we need to do to improve our play as we prepare for conference series."

There are 18 games on the schedule versus teams that are ranked in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 and another 10 games versus teams receiving votes in the preseason poll.

The Trojans will open the season on the road at No. 4 Southern Tech in Marietta, Ga., February 12-13.

Fans of the Purple and White will first get a chance to see their team in action against Indiana Southeast on February 16 and then No. 23 Auburn-Montgomery in the opening weekend of play, Feb. 19-20. Other games at Jackson Field against ranked opponents include; No. 8 Campbellsville (February 23), No. 11 Tennessee Wesleyan (March 17), No. 19 Cumberland University (April 9-10).

"I don't quite know what to expect from our team right now because of the large number of new players," Burton said during a break in preseason training. "So ready or not we will be tested right out of the gate against one of the best teams in the country. We are all excited for the challenges which lie ahead, but we are also focused on what we need to do as a team to beat the type of teams which we will play."

Highlighted on the March schedule is a trip to No. 7 Embry-Riddle where the Trojans will play four (March 11-13) of their five games in Florida.

"I don't remember a season when the TranSouth has been as balanced as it is this season," Burton continued. "We have our work cut out for us, and that's why we will have played such a demanding non-conference schedule. This league is very top heavy on pitching this season, so there should be several close games. I just hope that we are mentally prepared for the battles that we are going to face, and the type of pitching which we will see."

The Trojans will begin the TranSouth portion of their schedule March 26-27 in McKenzie, Tenn., at Bethel University. The first home conference series will take place the following weekend as Mid-Continent University makes the trip to Nashville on April 2-3.

The Trojans will also host three-game TranSouth sets against Cumberland University (April 9-10) and Union University (April 30-May 1).

The 2010 TranSouth Athletic Conference Tournament is set for May 10-13 at Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky. The 2010 NAIA Opening Round will take place at regional sites to be announced. The NAIA World Series will be held at Lewis-Clark State University's Harris field in Lewiston, Idaho, May 28-June 4.