Baseball Opens Season against Virginia Tech on Friday

Live Stats-UNC Asheville vs. Virginia Tech

ASHEVILLE, N.C.?The UNC Asheville baseball team opens up the 2009 season at the Courtyard by Marriott Classic this weekend hosted by USC Upstate. The Bulldogs will play four games in three days beginning at Noon on Friday against Virginia Tech.

Senior right-hander Michael Bogaert will be the opening day starter for Asheville. He will be opposed by senior right-hander Rhett Ballard for Virginia Tech. Bogaert went 6-6 a year ago with a 4.66 ERA. He made 13 starts in 18 appearances.

The Bulldogs will play a double header against George Mason beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Asheville will play at Wofford Sunday at 3 p.m. Sunday's game has been changed from the original 1 p.m. starting time.

Asheville is coming off a 24-35 2008 season. The Bulldogs will be led offensively by senior shortstop Kevin Weidenbacher who hit .337 last season with 19 extra base hits and 30 RBI. Justin Schumer hit .326 with nine home runs and 50 RBI as a sophomore. He will be the starter at first base on Friday and Saturday before making his first start on the mound Sunday against Wofford.

Asheville head coach Willie Stewart is excited about a pair of freshmen who will get a chance to perform on opening weekend. Cody Buch, a third-baseman from Charlotte, will see action this weekend. Ryan Dull, right-handed pitcher from Winston-Salem will get the start in the first game against George Mason Saturday afternoon.

Virginia Tech went 23-32 last season. Junior catcher Anthony Sosnoskie is the Hokies leading returning hitter. He hit .315 with 21 extra base hits and drove in 37 runs in 2008.

Last season, Ballard had a 3-8 record with a 4.66 ERA. In 26 appearances, he made seven starts and earned three saves.

Saturday's pitching match-ups for the double header with George Mason have Dull being opposed by Kevin Crum in game one. Taylor Wohlwend will face Dan Gerjets in the nightcap. On Sunday, Schumer will pitch against Wofford's Gus White.

Live stats will be available on both the UNC Asheville and USC Upstate websites.

Live Stats- UNC Asheville vs. George Mason, Game 1

Live Stats- UNC Asheville vs. George Mason, Game 2

Live Stats- UNC Asheville at Wofford