Bulldog Baseball Opens 2015 Season at Home vs. Ohio

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A new era begins for the UNC Asheville baseball program this weekend when the Bulldogs open the 2015 season with a three-game series against Ohio University at Greenwood Field. The series begins on Friday with a single game starting at 3 p.m., followed by a double-header on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Former Boston College assistant coach Scott Friedholm is the Bulldogs new head coach, and he'll make his debut on Friday. He looks forward to the season.

This weekend's series was originally scheduled to be one game each on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Extreme cold weather is predicted for Sunday so the teams decided to play a twin-bill on Saturday.

“We're excited about the upcoming season, and I'm really pleased with how the players have bought into what we're trying to do,” explained Friedholm. “We've had good workouts in the fall and when we got back in January. Everyone is ready for the games to begin. Let's get started.”

Asheville looks improve last season's 13-40 campaign. The Bulldogs have some new energy with Coach Friedholm and his staff. The Blue & White return six starting position players, 11 pitchers and 21 letterman overall to this year's club.

Sophomore outfielder Tanner Bush led the Dogs in hitting in 2014 with a .310 average. Senior first baseman Hunter Bryant hit .273 last season and enjoyed a spectacular summer season that saw him earn Perfect Game All-America honors. Bryant tied for the team lead in RBI's a year ago with 26 and had a team-high 16 doubles.

Senior infielder Tommy Houmard returns from last season after hitting .273. Senior infielder Kyle Towles started and played in 52 games last year at second base. He Hit .247 with 14 doubles and was third in runs scored with 27.

Junior catcher Pete Guy led the team in homers with four and drive in 19 runs. He made an incredible debut last March in his first career start he hit two home runs and drove in seven runs against ETSU.

The Bulldogs plan to start three veterans this weekend. Junior Corey Randall is scheduled to be the opening day starter on Friday. He went 2-6 in 2014 with a 4.45 ERA and struck out a team-high 57 hitters.

On Saturday, Asheville plans to start Lucas Clarke (1-1, 4.46 ERA) and Joe Zayatz (2-6, 3.92 ERA) against the Bobcats. Zayatz led the team in ERA as a freshman.

The Bulldogs face an Ohio program that has a rich tradition but endured a tough 2014 season as the Bobcats finished with an uncharacteristic 11-40 overall record.

“Ohio has a great baseball program. Last year, they had a lot of injuries and had a tough year. They're going to much better this season,” declared Friedholm. “We'll be tested this weekend.”

Asheville will play 29 home games at Greenwood Field this year. After this weekend, the Bulldogs next home game is with mountain rival Western Carolina on Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.