ERIE, Pa. - The Penn State Behrend baseball team has officially released its schedule for the upcoming 2018 season.
"Our program is excited about the spring schedule," said Behrend head coach Paul Benim, who is set to begin his 23rd season. The schedule will begin with 12 games on the road in Ohio and Florida before we open the first of 15 home games in late March.
The Lions will kick off that road trip when they travel to Chillicothe, Ohio to take on Franklin (IN) in a three-game set. On Saturday, February 24, Behrend will play a late single before finishing the weekend with a doubleheader beginning at noon on Sunday. The following week, the Behrend Lions will take their annual trip to Fort Pierce, Florida for Spring Training. Behrend will play eight varsity games and three or four JV games. "This is a tremendous baseball week. The entire roster will see the field and get a several opportunities to compete and produce productive innings."
The home schedule features nine dates of action. The Behrend Lions will play conference opponents Hilbert, Greensburg, Alfred, D'Youville, and Mount Aloysius. They'll also host non-conference regional opponents that include Bethany, Fredonia, Allegheny, and Waynesburg.
On the road, Behrend will face four league opponents in doubleheader action as well as trips to Allegheny, Bethany, Fredonia, Muskingum and Thiel.
As the blue and white prepares to make another AMCC run in the playoffs, the program rely on the veteran pitching staff and experienced position players. "Our coaching staff is confident in the mix of returning players, and excited about the potential of the incoming group of freshmen. We all have to work, but expect to be playing for the league title at the end of the season."
The first round of the AMCC Championship will be on May 5, followed by the second-round double elimination tournament hosted by the regular-season champion May 10-12.
"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 584 wins under the direction of Benim including six 30-plus win seasons since 2008. A year ago, the blue and white posted a 25-19 mark and played in the AMCC title game for the thirteenth time.