MSU Baseball To Open 2000 Season In Las Vegas

Feb. 22, 2000

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State's baseball squad will take the field for the first time this season Thursday, Feb., 24, at 11:00 a.m. (PST) when they face Cal State Northridge in the 20th Annual UNLV/Coors Desert Classic.

Host school UNLV along with Cal State Northridge, Nevada-Reno, Oregon State, Santa Clara and West Virginia join MSU as the participating teams in this year's Classic.

MSU will play one game a day, beginning Thursday with Cal State Northridge, until Sunday, Feb. 27, when they will play a doubleheader beginning with Nevada-Reno at 10:00 a.m. (PST) and conclude the tournament against Santa Clara at 5:00 p.m. (PST). Sandwiched between Thursday's game and Sunday's doubleheader will be a meeting with West Virginia at 10:00 a.m. (PST) on Friday and a 1:30 p.m. (PST) Saturday game against UNLV.

Spartan head coach Ted Mahan says his club has a good chance at starting the season off on the right foot in Las Vegas.

"We are excited at the opportunity to open this season in Las Vegas. Every school competing down there has a good baseball program and has been competitive for a number of years. With 27 letterwinners returning, we feel we have as good a chance as any team of winning the tournament, but we need to pitch well and play good defense. If we do those two things I like our chances," Mahan said.

Following the UNLV/Coors Desert Classic, the Spartans will have the week off until they begin their spring trip in Boca Raton, Fla., against Ball State on March 4, at 2:00 p.m. (EST).

UNLV/Coors Desert Classic Schedule

Feb. 24 (Thursday), 11:00 a.m. (PST): MSU vs. Cal State Northridge

Feb. 25 (Friday), 10:00 a.m. (PST): MSU vs. West Virginia

Feb. 26 (Saturday), 1:30 p.m. (PST): MSU vs. UNLV

Feb. 27 (Sunday), 10:00 a.m. (PST): MSU vs. Nevada-Reno

Feb. 27 (Sunday), 5:00 p.m. (PST): MSU vs. Santa Clara