Gearing up

The season opener is set to begin in just seven days. The DWU baseball team has been practicing since early January in anticipation of Friday's opener against Dickinson State at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN. The opener includes doubleheaders both Friday and Saturday. The times for Friday's games have been pushed back to a 3 p.m. start time from the original 12 noon start. Saturday's games are still set to begin at 7:30 a.m.

The Metrodome begins the season schedule which includes stops in Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska and Arizona. The 55-game schedule includes games against Division I, II, III and NAIA opponents. The conference opener is set to begin in late March. The conference tourney will be held at Haymarket Field in Lincoln, NE, home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The Tigers are picked to finish 9th in the conference, according to the recently announced conference poll voted on by the coaches. However, expectations are a bit higher in the Tigers camp.

"We believe we have the talent to compete with every team in the conference," DWU head coach Steve Gust said. "Our guys have been working extremely hard, both on and off the field. Talent-wise, we're very solid up and down the lineup. Our best attribute, however, might be our desire as a team. We have guys who have high expectations for themselves and their teammates."