Here’s a few that are out:
Lee: Last year’s runner-up starts the season on Feb. 6, hosting Illinois Institute of Technology. They play Auburn-Montgomery April 17-18, and Cumberland April 21. The Flames have picked up two D-I transfers, Tyler Roberts (Memphis) and Trey Burstrom (Tennessee). They have also added Julian Alvarez, who hit .419 and 26 home runs for Bacone last year, and two players drafted in 2006, Jeff Ramirez and Rashad Taylor.
Lubbock Christian: The Chaparrals, who were ranked #1 for the second half of 2008, have four games against D-I teams on the schedule, three against Houston Baptist March 5-7, and cross-town Texas Tech on March 24. They open the season on Feb. 6 at UT-Brownsville. Their key Sooner Athletic Conference matchup at Oklahoma City will be March 20-21.
Spring Arbor: The Cougars don’t have a home game until March 24. They are making trips to a tournament hosted by Campbellsville Feb. 27-28, and to the Central Florida Invitational in Winter Haven March 16-21.
Oklahoma City: The Stars open their season on the road at Northwood (Texas) Feb. 6-7, then host a good Missouri Baptist team Feb. 13-14. And a piece of old news: Oklahoma City has apparently abandoned their effort to move to Division I, and the key discouraging factor was the seven-year probation period.
Wayland Baptist: The Pioneers also open on the road at Northwood (Texas) Jan. 23-24. They host Oklahoma City March 13-14, and close their regular season playing Lubbock Christian home-and-home April 30-May 2. They have added Marcus Limon, a transfer from UT-Arlington.
Trevecca Nazarene: The Trojans open against Embry-Riddle in Montgomery, AB Feb. 6-7. Their home opener is against Auburn-Montgomery Feb. 20-21. They host Lee March 17, travel to Campbellsville March 31, Cumberland April 10-11, and Union April 30-May 1.
U. of the Cumberlands: The Patriots open at Brewton Parker Feb. 6-7, and their home opener is against Union Feb. 10. They host Campbellsville March 13-14 and Union on March 18. They travel to Union on April 7. Two key additions are RHP David White (Knoxville, TN) and OF/1B/RHP Hunter Reed (South Florida CC).
Embry-Riddle: The Eagles open a strong schedule at Southeastern (Lakeland, FL) on Feb. 3, and travel to Montgomery, AB to play Auburn-Montgomery and Trevecca Nazarene Feb. 6-8. They host Saint Xavier, Cumberland, and Bellevue March 2-4, Jamestown on March 9, and Missouri Baptist on March 13. They have 19 new players on their roster, including RHP Donald Jordat (drafted in 2004), RHP Barrett Bruce (transfer from Houston, drafted in 2006), C Austin Goolsby (transfer from Houston), and OF Tommy Pavesi (transfer from Solano CC).
Campbellsville: The Tigers open their season at Faulkner on Feb. 13, then go to Auburn-Montgomery on Feb. 14. They visit U. of the Cumberlands March 13-14, and Union March 17-18. They only have three Canadians on their roster this year, but they have added Jose Martini, from Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Other additions are SS Nick Bertolucci (transfer from West Valley CC), and RHP Josh Schroeder (transfer from Mission College).
Cal State San Marcos: The Cougars open at home against Westmont on Jan. 31. They play at Azusa Pacific on Feb. 17, and host Azusa Pacific on April 14.
1 comment
Bob,
I have enjoyed your write ups on the NAIA.
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