JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman baseball coach Tom Griffin officially released the 2020 schedule Monday afternoon that features series against two of the top three national seeds in the 2019 NCAA Baseball Championship and 29 home games.
The 51-game docket features five teams that qualified for the postseason in 2019 as the Eagles will travel 3,984 miles playing 29 home affairs and 22 road outings.
Fans arriving at the Silver Diamond Baseball Complex in 2020 will notice a refreshed infield that features synthetic turf to help combat weather and allow the Eagles to play on one of the finest surfaces in the country.
"It's a blessing," Griffin said. "We have always talked about things that we want. We all have that wish list. I am grateful for the alumni that help us in a variety of ways. Langdon Potts has been a huge influence in our program. Steve Cishek gave us a big donation towards this. His kindness and his wife allowed us to do this. I told him if we get turf I will never complain that it's hot on here. I will never do that. I will always be thankful because it allows us to do a lot of things as far as practice and games. We got rid of half the things in our shed."
For the second time in modern history and first time since 2004 the Eagles are slated to start the year in January when the team started the year at USC Aiken winning 5-1. C-N plays at Limestone to open the season for the third straight season going 4-3 over the past two years.
After a midweek affair against Belmont Abbey, the doors to the cozy confines open with the shiny new turf on Feb. 8 against West Liberty State in the first meeting ever between the two clubs for a doubleheader starting at noon.
It is a par to the longest homestand of the year that stretches nine games and is highlighted by a three-game series against the reigning national champions, Tampa, from Feb. 14-16. The Spartans have won eight national championships including three since 2013.
"It is the premiere Division II baseball school in the country with Joe Urso as far as championships go," Griffin said. "We are trying to worry about who we have to be as ourselves first and then we worry about Limestone first. We have to make sure we set the tone for our season before who we are going to play. Any time you can get a Tampa up here to come play that's going to be a great experience for our guys."
2⃣9⃣ Home Games
— Carson-Newman Athletics (@CNathletics) December 23, 2019
3⃣9⃣8⃣4⃣ Miles
The 2⃣0⃣2⃣0⃣ @CNBaseball infographic breaks down the upcoming season for the Eagles. pic.twitter.com/U4BHnivwDO
When the long homestand concludes, the Eagles turn their attention to the South Atlantic Conference regular season with a visit to Lenoir-Rhyne on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. to open a three-game set. It will be the first trip to Hickory for the club since 2014.
"It's a good group of coaches with good programs," Griffin said. "I think our league last year showed how strong it is when you look at the other teams in our region. It was really good. I think it's been that way. Every weekend is going to be a battle. That's what makes this league over the last couple years so successful."
In a leap year, the Eagles finish the opening month of the year against Mars Hill on Feb. 28-29 in the first SAC series of the year. The Lions have won eight straight at Mossy Creek since C-N last won on March 7, 2014.
A balanced March slate that features 19 contests with 10 at home starts with Limestone coming to Mossy Creek on March 4. The second of two five-game road trips, the longest of the year, sees the Eagles visit Lincoln Memorial, Shorter and Alabama-Huntsville.
Carson-Newman welcomes UVa-Wise to the league on March 13-14 holding an 8-1 record against the Cavaliers in recent seasons against the Cavaliers. With nine of the last 13 games at home in the month at home, the Eagles host Shorter, Huntsville, Anderson and Young Harris, the six seed in the 2019 Southeast Region.
April has 11 games guaranteed on the docket with 11 coming at home starting with Catawba, a club that finished the year sixth in the country winning the SAC Tournament and the Southeast Region earning the No. 3 national seed.
The final road swing of the season sends the Eagles to Coker and Trevecca Nazarene before the Eagles host senior weekend against Wingate on April 17-18.
For the fifth year in a row, the SAC Baseball Championships will be held down the road at Smokies Stadium starting with the play-in games on April 23 before the double elimination rounds start on April 24. Championship Monday is listed as April 27.
Fans can enjoy baseball all season long on the Eagle Sports Network with coverage beginning 10 minutes prior to the first pitch of every contest on cneagles.com/live. Road games will feature an audio stream while home games will have a high definition video stream accompanying the radio call.
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