Jan. 19, 2009

Big East/Big Ten Challenge Schedule Changed

The schedule has been changed for the inaugural Big East/Big Ten Baseball Challenge, hosted by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Sports Commission. The 27 games will be held Feb. 20-22 in Florida.

Progress Energy Park in St. Petersburg had its field damaged during a Super Bowl event and is not available. Games have been added at McKechnie Field in Bradenton and at USF’s Red McEwen Field. Games will remain at Knology Park in Dunedin, the spring training stadium of the Philadelphia Phillies; Bright House Field in Clearwater, the Toronto Blue Jays’ spring training stadium; Jack Russell Stadium in Clearwater, the former spring training site of the Phillies; and the Naimoli Complex in St. Petersburg, the Rays’ former spring training facility.

All 10 of the Big Ten’s baseball-playing schools will participate, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State and Purdue. Eight Big East institutions will compete, including Cincinnati, Connecticut, Georgetown, Notre Dame, St. John’s, Seton Hall, USF and West Virginia.

Big East/Big Ten Challenge Revised Schedule

February 20-22, 2009

Friday, February 20

10 a.m.

Michigan State vs. Connecticut, Jack Russell Stadium

1 p.m.

Michigan vs. USF, Jack Russell Stadium

Purdue vs. Cincinnati, Naimoli Complex

4 p.m.

Penn State vs. St. John's, Knology Park

Indiana vs. West Virginia, McKechnie Field

Minnesota vs. Seton Hall, Jack Russell Stadium

7:30 p.m.

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Knology Park

Northwestern vs. Georgetown, McKechnie Field

Illinois vs. Iowa, Jack Russell Stadium

Saturday, February 21

10 a.m.

Minnesota vs. West Virginia, Jack Russell Stadium

1 p.m.

Iowa vs. St. John's, Jack Russell Stadium

Penn State vs. Northwestern, Naimoli Complex

Indiana vs. Georgetown, Red McEwen Field

4 p.m.

Michigan vs. Cincinnati, Bright House Field

Ohio State vs. Connecticut, Jack Russell Stadium

Michigan State vs. Seton Hall, McKechnie Field

7:30 p.m.

Illinois vs. Notre Dame, McKechnie Field

Purdue vs. USF*, Bright House Field

* Game televised by Bright House Sports Network

Sunday, February 22

10 a.m.

Ohio State vs. Cincinnati, Red McEwen Field

Penn State vs. Seton Hall, Jack Russell Stadium

Minnesota vs. Michigan State, Naimoli Complex

Iowa vs. Georgetown, Naimoli Complex

11 a.m.

Northwestern vs. Connecticut, Naimoli Complex

1 p.m.

Michigan vs. St. John's, Red McEwen Field

Purdue vs. Notre Dame, Jack Russell Stadium

Indiana vs. USF, Naimoli Complex

Illinois vs. West Virginia, Naimoli Complex

(photos courtesy of Indiana and Connecticut Media Relations Office)