FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
KALAMAZOO, Mich.- The Western Michigan baseball program has released its 2011 schedule, which features 18 home games. The Broncos will also play non-conference regional rivals Michigan, Michigan State and Notre Dame.
Western Michigan is going to be well-tested on the road, as the Broncos will have 24 games under their belt before their first home game on April 1. WMU opens the season with four games at the Red Rider Classic in Lubbock, Texas, Feb. 18-20, before making its annual Spring trip down to Florida.
The Broncos’ first stop in the Sunshine State is Port Charlotte, for a four-game series with Ohio State, Feb. 25-27. WMU then makes it way to West Palm Beach for five games against four different teams from the North East March 1-5.
Western Michigan continues into March with three games in Terre Haute, Ind., playing Western Illinois (March 12) once and two games against Indiana State (March 12-13). The Broncos head to the University of Cincinnati for a four-game series March 18-20 and begin Mid-American Conference play at Akron March 25-27.
The Broncos return to Michigan, making a stop at Oakland March 29, before hosting reigning MAC champion Kent State April 1-3 in the first home games of the year. Bowling Green makes a visit to Robert J. Bobb Stadium on April 5 in non-conference action.
Getting into the MAC schedule, Western Michigan also hosts Ohio (April 8-10), Eastern Michigan (April 22-24), Central Michigan (May 13-15) and Northern Illinois (May 19-21). The Broncos make the trip to Miami (April 15-17), Toledo (April 29-May 1) and Ball State (May 6-8).
Non-conference dates scattered through the later portion of the schedule are away games at Notre Dame (April 6), Michigan State (April 19), Northwestern (May 3) and Michigan (May 17). Oakland and Michigan State make return trips to Kalamazoo, May 4 and May 10, respectively.
The 2011 MAC Tournament will be held in Chillicothe, Ohio, May 25-28. NCAA Regionals begin June 3.
With stadium renovations complete, Western Michigan will formally dedicate Robert J. Bobb Stadium at Hyames Field, May 14, the Saturday of the Central Michigan series.
