BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb announced its 2023 baseball schedule Thursday, with 31 home dates on an exciting slate for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Season tickets packages are now available for $99 at GWUSports.com. 

Jim Chester's squad opens its season on Friday, February 17 vs. Rider at 4:00 pm in John Henry Moss Stadium / Bill Masters Field.

"Our 2023 schedule will be a huge test in our quest for the Big South championship," said Chester. "We will be challenged with seven games against Power 5 opponents, along with a competitive Big South slate. Opening Day can't get here soon enough."

After its four-game series vs. Rider to open the season, Gardner-Webb will host Elon (Feb. 21), Northwestern (Feb. 24), Michigan State (Feb. 25), Toledo (Feb. 26) and Western Carolina (March 1) before hitting the road for a three-game set at Appalachian State.

The Runnin' Bulldogs then return home for another nine-game home stand, beginning with a game vs. North Carolina A&T (March 7). GWU will also host St. Bonaventure (March 10-12) and UMass (March 15) before opening Big South Conference play with a home series vs. Longwood (March 17-19).

The Big South schedule also features home series vs. Radford (March 31-April 2), UNC Asheville (April 6-8), USC Upstate (May 5-7) and Charleston Southern (May 18-20).

A road series at Georgia Tech (April 28-30) and dates at North Carolina (May 9) and Duke (May 16) highlight the non-conference action away from home.

The Big South Conference Baseball Championships will be held once again in High Point, N.C., from May 25-27 at Truist Point – with an automatic bid to the 2023 NCAA Championships on the line.