Cougar Baseball Announces 2020 Schedule

By CSU Sports Information

COLUMBUS - Columbus State University head baseball coach Greg Appleton has announced the 2020 Cougar schedule.

The 50-game slate begins on Friday, Jan. 31 as the Cougars compete in an early-season classic hosted by Saint Leo at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Steinbrenner Field is the spring training home of the New York Yankees. Over the opening weekend, the Cougars will play Saint Leo (Jan. 31), Barton (Feb. 1), and Catawba (Feb. 2).

"This time of the year is always exciting when you start seeing the schedules pop up," commented Appleton, who is entering his 23rd season at the helm of the Cougars. "The opening weekend is going to be special and it's something different that we haven't ever done while I've been here."

"Our guys know that we play in one of the best Division II conferences in the nation, so we have to come to the ballpark prepared every day."

In addition to playing 11 three-game series in Peach Belt Conference play, the Cougars will host Sunshine State power Florida Southern at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field on Feb. 7-9.

PBC action begins the following week in Columbus as CSU hosts UNC Pembroke. Columbus State will play every other member of the PBC this season, including associate members Claflin. Claflin, located in Orangeburg, S.C., competed as an independent school last season. The Panthers will visit Columbus in late March.

The PBC Tournament will be held in Milledgeville, Ga. from May 8-10.

Columbus State is coming off its 14th straight winning season after posting a 31-20 record in 2019. The Cougars have appeared in two NCAA Tournaments in the past four seasons, including a national runner-up appearance at the 2018 NCAA Division II College World Series.