VESTAL, N.Y. - Directly on the heels of the historic news of a $60 million gift to fully fund a new baseball stadium complex, the 2020 Bearcats will hit the field for their season-opening weekend series at first-time opponent Wofford College (S.C.). The two teams, both favored to win their respective conferences, will play Friday night (6 p.m.) and Saturday (2 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) afternoons at Russell C. King Field.

Binghamton, led by 28th-year head coach Tim Sinicki, returns 23 letterwinners from a team that finished as America East runnerup in 2019. Back are seven of nine position starters, one weekend starting pitcher and three all-conference players.

Junior center fielder Shane Marshall and senior second baseman Alex Baratta were first team all-conference selections last season after finishing 1-2 in the America East batting race. The last time BU fans saw Marshall he was setting a conference record by homering in four consecutive postseason games. He hit .400 over the final three months of the season and finished at .376. Baratta hit .356 and was voted the top second baseman in the conference. Also returning is sophomore pitcher Thomas Babalis (4-2, 3.62 ERA) , reigning all-conference player and America East Rookie of the Year.   

Wofford was picked to win the Southern Conference in the preseason coaches' poll. The loaded Terriers return eight starters and 12 pitchers from a team that won 36 games last spring and reached the SoCon championship series, finishing as conference runnerup just like the Bearcats. Wofford has won 30 or more games in five of the last six seasons.

Among its seven preseason all-conference players are reigning SoCon Rookie of the Year and left-handed ace Hayes Heinecke (10-2, 2.65 ERA), first team all-conference selection, junior third baseman Brett Rodriguez (.324, 43 RBI) and the league's top hits producer in sophomore DH Lawson Hill (83 hits). As a team, Wofford batted a league-best .306 and ranked third in the nation in stolen bases (155). 

Weekend Matchups
Friday, Feb. 14 - 6 p.m.
LHP Thomas Babalis (B) (4-2, 3.62 ERA) vs. RHP Reece Maniscalco (W) (4-1, 2.34 ERA) | Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats

Saturday, Feb. 15 - 2 p.m.
RHP Jack Collins (B) (3-2, 3.41 ERA) vs. LHP Hayes Heinecke (W) (10-2, 2.65 ERA) | Live Video | Live Stats

Sunday, Feb. 16 - 1 p.m.
RHP Josh Kopcza (B) (0-0, 4.88 ERA) vs. Elliot Carney (W) (first career appearance) | Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats