CORPUS CHRISTI - With the 2015 campaign just around the corner, the Texas A&M-Corpus
Christi baseball team opened preparations for their 56-game season by holding their first spring practice Friday at Chapman Field.
The Islanders will have three weeks to prepare for the season opener against Saint Peters on Feb. 13, and they will do so under eighth-year coach Scott Malone.
"It was great to be out on the field. We were excited to get out there and go, but at the same time it wasn't overly monumental. Our guys have been in town since January 15 for the most part," said Malone. "We've got 20 good days of work to go until we put on a uniform and have to try to be better than Saint Peter's. We have a long way to go and guys are chomping at the bit, and hopefully we'll be ready to go."
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi returns 15 letterwinners from a season ago, including regular position starters Jordan Lee, Tyler Ware, Frankie Salas, Zack Gibson, Kyle Danford and Dom Lopez.
Additionally, the Islanders will have the likes of senior Matt Danton and Trevor Belicek back on the mound, with both starting 15 games last season. The Islanders have quality arms in Jacob Dorris and Dalton D'Spain, as well as Devin Skapura returning to the hill.
The Islanders also added an array of talent on the recruiting trail including shortstop Casey Thomas, third baseman Cody Clarke, infielder Justin Perales and LHP Carter Lilly.
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Purdue, Missouri and Sam Houston State will make their way down to the Coastal Bend to compete in the Kleberg Bank College Classic which will be played at Whataburger Field in downtown Corpus Christi. The Islanders will see the first action of the tournament, as they will pair up with Southeastern Conference member Missouri on Feb. 19. A&M – Corpus Christi will matchup with the Boilermakers on Feb. 20 before facing the Tigers once again on Feb. 21. The Islanders will wrap up the Classic with a game against defending Southland Conference regular-season champion Sam Houston State Feb. 22.
A&M-Corpus Christi also plays home series against non-conference opponents Saint Peter's, UT Arlington, UTSA and Fisher College before opening Southland Conference play against Nicholls on March 13. The Islanders will also host Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian, Northwestern State and Houston Baptist in home conference series.
Season tickets for the 2015 season are now on sale. Visit GoIslanders.com or call 361-825-BALL (2255) for more information. Tickets for the 2015 Kleberg Bank College Classic are on sale now. To purchase your tickets, call 361-561-HOOK (4665).
For updates throughout the season be sure to follow the team on Twitter (@IslandersBSB) and Instagram (IslandersBSB) and like it on Facebook (IslandersBaseball).
