The UNO baseball team is ready to begin its 2017 campaign with a new head coach at the helm. Evan Porter took over for Bob Herold who had been the coach for 17 seasons. Porter was a player and assistant at UNO under Herold before taking over as head coach.
Omaha returns six position players with starting experience and two starting pitchers from the 2016 season. One key returner for the Mavs is junior infielder and pitcher Ryan Cate. Cate was added to the Summit League Players to Watch list ahead of the 2017 season. Last season, Cate made the first-team All-Summit team as a utility player.
The Mavericks begin the season Friday at the UNLV Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada where they will face off against UNLV, UC Davis and St. Mary's. UNO's non-conference schedule begins with a marquee-matchup with Kansas Feb. 21 in Lawrence, Kansas.
Following the duel with Kansas, the Mavs head to Kentucky for a series with Louisville. Omaha's tough non-conference schedule is also highlighted by tough matchups with Witchita State and Kansas State before heading into conference play.
The Mavericks will begin playing at Seymour Field during the 2017 season. UNO's first home series begins Friday, March 10 at 2 p.m. against Northern Colorado. UNO begins Summit League play with a home series against South Dakota State Friday, March 17 at 4 p.m.
Omaha will also face off against in-state rivals Nebraska and Creighton. The Mavs will take on the Huskers at Werner Park April 5, and will head to Lincoln for another matchup with Nebraska April 25. Creighton and UNO will meet at Werner Park May 9th.
