University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Friday, February 18
Blacksburg, VA
2 p.m.
UNC Asheville
at
Virginia Tech
Baseball opens its 2022 season this weekend with a three-game series at Virginia Tech
02.17.2022 | Baseball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville baseball team will open its 2022 season, which is presented by Ingles, this weekend with a three-game series at Virginia Tech. Game times for this weekend are 2 p.m., 2 p.m., and 1 p.m., respectively, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Friday's and Sunday's games can be watched on ACC Network Extra.
Probable Pitchers
Friday – RHP Ryan Douglas (AVL) vs. RHP Griffin Green (VT)
Saturday – LHP Jacob Edwards (AVL) vs. LHP Ryan Okuda (VT)
Sunday – LHP Bryce Fisher (AVL) vs. TBD (VT)
A Look Back at 2021 – Asheville posted a record of 15-33 overall and 14-26 in Big South action a season ago. Last spring, the Bulldogs had several team achievements that included setting a new program record with 14 conference wins, posting an 11-11 record at Greenwood Field, and winning six Big South series. One of those series wins came in late March when the Bulldogs took two of three from eventual league champion Campbell.
Individually, the Bulldogs also had some highlights. Brandon Lankford, who has since graduated, finished his career as a Bulldog by breaking the Big South's all-time home run record with 52 on his way to being named to the All-Big South First Team and the ABCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team. Dominic Freeberger also landed a spot on All-Big South First Team as a utility player after leading the Bulldogs with 67 hits. Finally, the Bulldogs garnered four weekly award winners from the Big South. Those Bulldogs that took home the hardware were Jacob Edwards (Starting Pitcher of the Week – twice), Justin Honeycutt (Freshman of the Week), and Freeberger (Relief Pitcher of the Week).
Senior Leadership – Two of the leading players that Asheville figures to lean heavily on in 2022 are Freeberger and Edwards. Freeberger, who played seven of the nine positions on the field in 2021, led Asheville in at-bats (201), hits (67), doubles (12), triples (3), and tied for the team lead with a pair of saves. Edwards, meanwhile, paced all Bulldog pitchers in wins (4), games started (14), complete games (1), innings pitched (67), and strikeouts (59).
Meet the new Bulldogs – Fans will see several new faces in the dugout for the Bulldogs as the 2022 season begins. Overall, Head Coach Scott Friedholm brought on 14 new players in the offseason with a good mix of high school, junior college transfers, and collegiate transfers. To read more about the newest Bulldogs, click HERE.
Season Opener Stat – The Bulldogs hope to begin the 38th season of baseball on a high note this weekend, much like they did in 2021. Asheville picked up a 10-4 road win over Western Carolina to jump-start its 2021 season. Three Bulldogs had three-hit performances in that game, including returners Drew Bristow and Ty Kaufman.
About Virginia Tech – The Hokies went 27-25 overall and 16-20 in ACC play during the 2021 season. This weekend, a player to watch for Virginia Tech will be outfielder Gavin Cross. Cross was recently named to the 2022 Preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List, which goes to the best amateur baseball player in the United States.
Series History vs. the Hokies – Asheville and Virginia Tech have met only two times previously, with the last of those occurring in 2009. The Hokies came away with victories in both of those contests, which were held at neutral sites, by scores of 9-6 and 21-4. This weekend will mark the Bulldogs' first-ever trip to Blacksburg.
How to Follow – As mentioned earlier, the first and third games of the weekend can be watched on ACC Network Extra. Live stats will be available each day for following HERE.
Probable Pitchers
Friday – RHP Ryan Douglas (AVL) vs. RHP Griffin Green (VT)
Saturday – LHP Jacob Edwards (AVL) vs. LHP Ryan Okuda (VT)
Sunday – LHP Bryce Fisher (AVL) vs. TBD (VT)
A Look Back at 2021 – Asheville posted a record of 15-33 overall and 14-26 in Big South action a season ago. Last spring, the Bulldogs had several team achievements that included setting a new program record with 14 conference wins, posting an 11-11 record at Greenwood Field, and winning six Big South series. One of those series wins came in late March when the Bulldogs took two of three from eventual league champion Campbell.
Individually, the Bulldogs also had some highlights. Brandon Lankford, who has since graduated, finished his career as a Bulldog by breaking the Big South's all-time home run record with 52 on his way to being named to the All-Big South First Team and the ABCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team. Dominic Freeberger also landed a spot on All-Big South First Team as a utility player after leading the Bulldogs with 67 hits. Finally, the Bulldogs garnered four weekly award winners from the Big South. Those Bulldogs that took home the hardware were Jacob Edwards (Starting Pitcher of the Week – twice), Justin Honeycutt (Freshman of the Week), and Freeberger (Relief Pitcher of the Week).
Senior Leadership – Two of the leading players that Asheville figures to lean heavily on in 2022 are Freeberger and Edwards. Freeberger, who played seven of the nine positions on the field in 2021, led Asheville in at-bats (201), hits (67), doubles (12), triples (3), and tied for the team lead with a pair of saves. Edwards, meanwhile, paced all Bulldog pitchers in wins (4), games started (14), complete games (1), innings pitched (67), and strikeouts (59).
Meet the new Bulldogs – Fans will see several new faces in the dugout for the Bulldogs as the 2022 season begins. Overall, Head Coach Scott Friedholm brought on 14 new players in the offseason with a good mix of high school, junior college transfers, and collegiate transfers. To read more about the newest Bulldogs, click HERE.
Season Opener Stat – The Bulldogs hope to begin the 38th season of baseball on a high note this weekend, much like they did in 2021. Asheville picked up a 10-4 road win over Western Carolina to jump-start its 2021 season. Three Bulldogs had three-hit performances in that game, including returners Drew Bristow and Ty Kaufman.
About Virginia Tech – The Hokies went 27-25 overall and 16-20 in ACC play during the 2021 season. This weekend, a player to watch for Virginia Tech will be outfielder Gavin Cross. Cross was recently named to the 2022 Preseason Golden Spikes Award Watch List, which goes to the best amateur baseball player in the United States.
Series History vs. the Hokies – Asheville and Virginia Tech have met only two times previously, with the last of those occurring in 2009. The Hokies came away with victories in both of those contests, which were held at neutral sites, by scores of 9-6 and 21-4. This weekend will mark the Bulldogs' first-ever trip to Blacksburg.
How to Follow – As mentioned earlier, the first and third games of the weekend can be watched on ACC Network Extra. Live stats will be available each day for following HERE.
Players Mentioned
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