Appalachian State begins its second season under the leadership of head baseball coach Kermit Smith when it faces UNCG on Friday at 4 p.m. in Greensboro. It's the opener of a three-game series that continues Saturday at 2 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Mountaineers have 13 returning players and 18 newcomers following a 19-36 season in which they stood at 18-24 overall and 7-12 in Sun Belt play before closing against South Alabama, Wake Forest and Coastal Carolina.
There are six seniors among the 13 returnees, and the 18 newcomers are split evenly between nine freshmen and nine transfers, including eight from the junior college level.