Baseball: Toledo to Open 2002 Campaign in New Mexico
3/5/2002 12:00:00 PM | Baseball
TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo baseball program will once again try to open its 2002 season with a six-game stretch in New Mexico, April 8-13.
The Rockets had intentions of opening their 2002 season last weekend at Morehead State, but inclement weather postponed the games until April 13-14.
"We're extremely excited to be playing again," Toledo Head Coach Joe Kruzel said. "We're anxious to get outside on a continuous basis. Anytime you play on Opening Day there is an excitement in the air. The guys are really looking forward to a change of scenery and the chance to face somebody other than their teammates."
UT will play New Mexico in single games on Mar. 8-9 and Mar. 11 and interstate-opponent Ohio State on Mar. 10. After those four games in Albuquerque, UT will travel to Las Cruces, NM for a two-game series with New Mexico State on March 12-13.
Kruzel expects junior Mike DeLong, sophomore Nick Szczur and junior-college transfer Brian Kovacs to receive starting assignments on the mound early for the Rockets. In the field, Kruzel's tentative starting lineup for the opener consists of junior 1B Phil Pilewski, junior 2B Taylor Eckel, sophomore SS Chris Arvay, senior 3B Mike Meinhart, senior LF Jay Juras, junior CF J.D. Foust, sophomore RF Jarrod Resendez and sophomore C Mitch Maier.
