MONTICELLO - University of Arkansas at Monticello baseball coach Carlos James has released the 2010 schedule, which features 26 home games.

The Boll Weevils open the 2010 campaign playing 11 of its first 13 contests at home, including back-to-back home weekends in the first two weeks of the season.

Opening day is set for Saturday, February 6 with a three-game series against LeMoyne Owen stretching into the following Sunday. The Boll Weevils then play host to Missouri S&T the following weekend for a four-game series, beginning Friday, February 12 and lasting through Sunday, February 14.

Other non-conference home opponents include Missouri-St. Louis (February 19-21), Alabama-Huntsville (March 6-7) and Tougaloo College (April 7).

UAM has also been invited to play in the Alcorn State University Tournament, where it will likely line up against three Division I teams, starting February 26.

Coach James and his staff are looking forward to the challenges of the tournament. “It will be a good thing for my kids to see a different brand of baseball,” said James. “The speed of those Division I teams and the crowds down there will be good for us.”

In James’ first full season at the helm, the 2009 team was heavily tested. “I wanted to see what was out there and what it would take to get UAM to the point that it can compete at the highest level,” said James. “Last season was good for our team and we took steps towards building a winning program.”

The Boll Weevils won nine games last year, in a season where UAM’s schedule was the second toughest in the entire NCAA Division II, according to Ping! Baseball.

The Gulf South Conference figures to provide plenty of tests for UAM as five of the best teams in the region return for another crack at advancing into the NCAA Tournament. Conference play opens for the Weevils on March 3, when the team travels to Memphis, Tenn. to face Christian Brothers University.

“Overall, this is a more balanced and manageable schedule,” said James. “If we play to our capabilities, we can have a good year.”