The SMU Club Baseball team will travel to North Texas on Sunday for its first preseason game. This game marks the opening of the team’s second season on the Hilltop.

The Mustangs defeated the UNT Mean Green 10-0 in their first series last season, but were defeated 1-14 and 2-13 in the other two games of the series.

However, the new team shows promising signs of becoming more competitive. Team manager Kara Maiella explains, “I’m excited to see SMU baseball back out on the field and very anxious to see what some of these new guys can do.”

The new season highlights the excitement and apprehension of the players, especially new members who have not played in the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA).

“We have a good working relationship with UNT, and they are a solid team,” said Maiella. “I think we’ll see some really good baseball Sunday, and this will give some of the new guys a taste for the NCBA and the kind of competition they could expect for the spring.”

The current roster shows 16 players comprised of new and old faces for Sunday’s game, but the team is still looking for new members. Sophomore Ryan Davis explained, “I expect a good showing by the Ponies, and I have high hopes for prospective players who are starting to compete for spots on our spring roster.”

Interested players should visit the Facebook group “SMU Baseball: Fall ’07 Practice Crew” for information regarding practice times and locations. Maiella advises, “Take advantage of the three practices the team holds weekly on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays to get back into shape, and meet some of the other players.”

Sunday’s game is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at Mack Park in Denton.

“The first game is always exciting to gauge how the team is coming along. Regardless of the outcome, there is always something to take from the game and it allows you to refocus on what areas of the game you need to work on,” said senior and returning player Chris Francis.

Directions to the field can be found on the team’s Web site.