RIVERDALE, N.Y. ? Manhattan College head baseball coach Kevin Leighton revealed the Jaspers' 2009 schedule this afternoon. The Jaspers are set for a strong non-conference schedule, which includes contests with powers from the Big 12, BIG EAST, WAC and Atlantic-10 conferences. Manhattan opens the season on Feb. 20-22 in Stillwater, Okla. for a series with 2008 College World Series participant Oklahoma State and Brigham Young University.
“Our non-conference schedule is challenging, but will prepare us well for the MAAC,” stated Leighton. “We are working hard this fall, and look forward to taking the field come February for our season opener in Stillwater.”
The Jaspers escape the northeast, and begin the 2009 campaign down south for its series with Brigham Young University (Feb. 20-21) and Oklahoma State (Feb. 21-22). Manhattan continues its initial road trip in Lynchburg Va. against Liberty (Feb. 28 ? Mar. 1), before stopping close to home for the ?Battle of the Bronx' with rival Fordham (March 4).
Manhattan will travel to Delaware (March 6-8) for a three game set, before making stops at Temple (March 13), Saint Joseph's (March 14) and La Salle (March 15) on a road series in Philadelphia. Seton Hall (March 18), New York Institute of Technology (March 25), Albany (April 1), Long Island (April 7), Army (April 8), Vermont (April 10-11), Sacred Heart (April 14), Fairleigh Dickinson (April 15) and Columbia (April 22) are also on the slate.
The Jaspers open league play at Saint Peter's on March 21 & 22 as the team begins defending the MAAC regular-season title. Manhattan's first home MAAC weekend is scheduled for April 4 & 5 versus Marist.
“We plan to build on all the success we have achieved in this league over the last few years,” Leighton said. “Our ultimate goal is to compete again for the conference title.”
Manhattan looks to secure its seventh consecutive bid to the MAAC Tournament which returns to Waterfront Park in Trenton, N.J. from May 21-23.
