UMBC

Head coach John Jancuska and the Retrievers will play three NCAA Tournament participants in 2009.

BALTIMORE—UMBC baseball head coach John Jancuska recently announced the Retrievers’ 2009 schedule, which will feature teams from 11 conferences outside of the America East and one independent.

For the second year in a row, the team will travel to Florida for Spring Training from Mar. 14-20. During the course of the week, the Retrievers will play teams from power conferences, such as Ohio State from the Big 10 and Pittsburgh from the Big East. The highlight of the week is facing 2008 NCAA College World Series participant Miami from the ACC on Mar. 18.

“On our spring trip, we’re playing some very good teams,” said Jancuska, “that will prepare us for America East play.”

UMBC’s non-conference schedule is filled with games against local teams, including Maryland (ACC), Towson (CAA), Georgetown (Big East), George Mason (CAA) and George Washington (A10). In addition, the Retrievers will play three teams from the Northeast Conference, Wagner, Long Island and 2008 NCAA Tournament participant, Mount St. Mary’s.

“We’re very fortunate that in the Baltimore-Metropolitan area, we have a lot of quality teams,” said Jancuska. “Our non-conference schedule (locally and teams who visit us) is as competitive as anybody’s.”

The Retrievers open their season Wednesday, Mar. 4 at Navy and begin America East play the weekend of Apr. 3 at Albany.