Nov. 14, 2006
For the full 2007 spring slate, please click on the schedule link on the left-hand side of the page.
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Even though it is only November, the 2007 UCF baseball season already is producing plenty of interest as its schedule was released Tuesday. The Golden Knights will kick the new campaign off Feb. 3-4 and for the seventh-straight season, they open with a two-game set against Florida International.
"We have got a challenging schedule in so many ways," said head coach Jay Bergman. "We have 36 games at home and 20 on the road. The month of February will be a huge determining factor in our season. It's hard to judge a team so early, but we have to be ready and have to build on what we do in February against teams like Florida International, TCU, Maryland and Michigan. It's going to help us to be at home with our fans a lot because we are still a very young team, and to play at home will give us a chance to gain some confidence.
"Up to March 27 at Stetson, we will only play one series on the road and that's against LSU, which will be a big series for us in February. We also have Florida, USF, Rice, Memphis, East Carolina and UAB on the road and those will be challenging games for us as well."
The start date is the earliest UCF takes the field since the 2002 season. More impressively, it plays 89 percent (25-of-28) of its first-half schedule all on its home diamond. The Golden Knights have not played that many home games during the first half of their schedule in 21 years (1986, 93 percent, 27-of-29). Also, they begin the 2007 campaign with eight-straight home games, the second-longest streak since 1980.
After its clash with FIU, UCF welcomes TCU Feb. 9-11. The Horned Frogs will be one of seven teams the Golden Knights collide with that advanced to last year's NCAA Regionals. To finish off the home stand, Maryland steps onto UCF's turf Feb. 16-18.
Feb. 23-25 will help UCF compare itself to another strong national power as it heads to LSU for the first time since 1999. LSU advanced to the NCAA Tournament 17-straight years before a 35-24 record and some key injuries prevented the Tigers from returning to the postseason in 2006. The Golden Knights will be searching for their first victory on the Tigers' home field as they are 0-4 all-time.
UCF then has a string of 17-straight home contests during the year, which is tied for the fourth-longest home stretch since 1988. It all starts with a one-game showdown with Michigan Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. Other highlights during the streak include a first-ever meeting with Michigan State March 6, a three-game series with both Massachusetts March 9-11 and Rutgers March 16-18 and the beginning of the Conference USA portion of the schedule when Houston journeys to campus March 23-25.
After spending over a month at home, UCF drives up the road for a one-game meeting at Stetson March 27. The two programs meet again at UCF May 2 and back in DeLand May 8. But before that, the Golden Knights visit UAB March 30-April 1 and USF April 3, then host Southern Miss April 6-8.
A crucial road swing starts April 10 with a one-game meeting at Florida and another short sprint over to USF April 17. That sets up a conference weekend at 2006 College World Series representative and C-USA champion Rice April 20-22.
Another huge home stand begins April 24 in a final clash against USF, which leads into a conference series against Tulane April 27-28. Following trips to C-USA programs in Memphis (May 4-6) and East Carolina (May 11-13), the regular season wraps up at Jay Bergman Field against Marshall May 17-19.
This year's Conference USA Championships will be hosted by Tulane in New Orleans, La., May 23-27.
For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, a printable 2007 schedule, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.