The Penn State Behrend baseball team has officially released its schedule for the upcoming 2017 season.

"We are looking forward to the challenges the 2017 schedule will provide," said Behrend head coach Paul Benim, who is set to begin his 22nd season. "The schedule is unique with the first 20 games on the road across four different states."

The Lions will kick off that road trip when they travel to Kentucky to take on Spalding in a three-game set. On Saturday, February 25, Behrend will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. They'll finish the weekend with a single game beginning at noon on Sunday. The following week, the Lions will take their annual trip to Fort Pierce, Florida for Spring Training. Behrend will play nine varsity games and a pair of JV games. "Everyone will see the field and get a couple opportunities –we will see who makes the most of those chances."

The home schedule features seven dates of actions. The Lions will play conference opponents Medaille, Pitt-Bradford, Penn State Altoona, and La Roche. They'll also host non-conference regional opponents that include Mount Union, Fredonia and Allegheny.

On the road, Behrend will face four league opponents in doubleheader action as well as trips to Muskingum, Ohio Wesleyan, Waynesburg, and Marietta.

Come playoff time, Benim will look to the veteran pitching staff and position players. "Our staff is comfortable with our pitching depth and experience...that coupled with the majority of our at-bats returning from last season should provide a high level of baseball for this upcoming season."

The first round of the AMCC Championship will be on May 6, followed by the second-round double elimination tournament hosted by the regular-season champion May 11-13.

"Our goal is to be competitive every day we step on the field and we expect to play our best baseball at the end of the year," said Benim.

The program has complied 559 wins under the direction of Benim including six 30-plus win seasons since 2008.