MARSHALL, Minn. – The Southwest Minnesota State baseball team begins the 2010 season tomorrow afternoon with a non-conference doubleheader versus Minnesota Duluth at Mall of America Field at Metrodome in Minneapolis.  First pitch on Thursday is set for 3 p.m.  

The two teams will conclude the four-game series with a 9 a.m. doubleheader on Friday morning.  Live stats will be available for all four game at www.SMSUmustangs.com.

SMSU is coming off a 28-15 season a year ago and the program's first-ever appearance at the NCAA region tournament.

The Mustangs return 16 letterwinners from last season's team, including its top two power hitters. 

Senior first baseman Andrew Kinney tied a school record with 17 home runs a season ago with a team-high 55 RBIs and also is the team's top returning hitter after batting .408.  Senior third baseman Matt Bauer also returns after batting .397 with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs. 

The Mustang pitching staff returns several upperclassmen, including senior right-hander and 2010 NSIC Preseason Pitcher of the Year Adam Schrader.  Schrader finished 5-1 in 2009 with a 3.88 ERA in 60.1 innings with 67 strikeouts.  Senior lefty Jared Pick also finished 5-1 last year with a 5.75 ERA in 40.2 innings.  

Following this week's four-game series, SMSU will have 29 days before returning to action on March 7 in Winter Haven, Fla., versus Concordia-St. Paul.