April 28, 2009

SEATTLE - The Washington baseball team (18-22 overall, 7-8 in the Pac-10 Conference) opens a nine-game homestand tonight when NAIA power Lewis-Clark State visits Husky Ballpark for a 6:30 p.m. game.

The Warriors, from Lewiston, Idaho, come to Seattle with a 33-11 overall record. The three-time defending NAIA champions have played only one prior NCAA Division I program this season, having beaten Gonzaga, 7-1, on Feb. 25.

Washington will send freshman right-hander Seth Haehl to the mound. Haehl, from East Wenatchee, Wash., will be making his first start at the college level, having pitched in relief in 11 games. He's 2-1 with a 2.45 earned run average.

Lewis-Clark State, under 33rd-year head coach Ed Cheff (1,650-421 career record), feature a number of players who might be familiar to UW fans, including former Husky Ricky Reavis, former Washington State players Josh Ashenbrenner and Dustin Willis, as well Kawika Emsley-Pai, a teammate of Huskies Cam Nobles and Geoff Brown at Jackson High, among others.

Fans can catch live video of tonight's game, with Gary Hill providing the commentary.

Next up for the Huskies is a three-game series vs. USC Friday through Sunday at Husky Ballpark. All three of those games will air live on KKNW AM-1150. On Saturday, as a part of the annual UW Spring Fling, admission is free.