CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will face the defending national champions twice, along with two other NCAA Tournament teams, on their upcoming 2024 baseball schedule.
The Bears, under the direction of head coach
Nick Harlan, will take on the national champion LSU Tigers twice on opening weekend in Baton Rouge, La. UCA will also face Arkansas and Lipscomb, both tournament teams last spring.
"I'm excited about the quality of our schedule this spring," said Harlan. "We are intentional about creating experiences that give our players the opportunity to demonstrate and develop character and skill. You need both of those things to win consistently. Talented teams with postseason experience force you to play the game at a high level both mentally and physically.
"I want our guys more confident the day they leave our program than the day they arrived on campus. You accomplish that by creating experiences conducive for growth. The Atlantic Sun Conference schedule will provide that, as well as one of the best non-conference schedules in the country."
That non-conference schedule includes matchups with Mississippi State (2021 national champion), Arkansas, Memphis, Missouri State, VMI, Tarleton State, Arkansas State, Little Rock, Louisiana-Monroe and Southern Illinois.
The season kicks off with four games in Baton Rouge against VMI on Friday, Feb. 16, vs. VMI and LSU on Saturday, Feb. 17 and against the Tigers again on Monday, Feb. 19.
The home opener for the Bears is set for Friday, Feb. 23 when they host SIU in a three-game series at Bear Stadium.
Atlantic Sun Conference play begins on Friday March 15 when UCA hosts Eastern Kentucky in a three-game series. The Bears will play 30 ASUN games, with 15 at home and 15 on the road. The 2024 ASUN Championship will be played May 21-26 at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla.
UCA's six in-state games will be Feb. 27 at Arkansas State, March 5 at Arkansas, April 16 vs. Little Rock, April 23 vs. Arkansas State, April 30 at Little Rock and May 14 vs. Little Rock at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock, Ark.
FULL SCHEDULE
