The Navy baseball team is all set to embark on its 130th season in program history this spring. Second-year head coach Chuck Ristano made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon, revealing a 51-game schedule filled with exciting matchups. The highlight of the season is 32 contests at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium, where the Midshipmen will face 19 different opponents. This includes three first-time foes and the renewal of several historic series.

Opening the Campaign

The season kicks off on Feb. 14 with a three-game series at Richmond. This regional series, which had been on hiatus since 2002, will see the Mids and Spiders face off again. Then, on Feb. 18, the Midshipmen return home for their home opener against Coppin State. After that, they hit the road again from Feb. 21 to 23 for the 2025 Freedom Classic against Air Force at historic Grainger Stadium in Kinston, N.C. This will be the 13th time in 15 years that the service academy rivals meet.

Homestand in Annapolis

An eight-game homestand begins on Feb. 25 with a midweek contest against Manhattan. Coach Ristano's alma mater, Sacred Heart, comes to town from Feb. 28 to March 2 for a three-game set. This will be the first all-time regular-season meeting between the Mids and both schools. Following a midweek meeting with George Washington on March 5, Navy closes out the homestand by hosting familiar foe UMass from March 7 to 9. The Minutemen are coached by former Navy assistant Matt Reynolds.

Spring-Break Showdown at Fordham

Making the trek to New York City for a spring-break showdown at Fordham, the Mids will face the Rams for the first time in 30 years on March 12. After that, Navy comes home to open Patriot League play on March 15-16 against rival Army. The two-day, three-game Star Series will mark the first time since 2013 that the Mids and Black Knights open their league schedules against each other. This also starts a 10-game stretch at home for Navy.

League Action and More

Following a quick visit by the Ivy League's Dartmouth on March 18, the Mids continue league action by welcoming Bucknell for a four-game set from March 21 to 23. They end their extended stay at home with midweek contests against Coppin State on March 25 and Maryland Eastern Shore on March 26. Navy's first road Patriot League games of the season will also be against Army. They are scheduled for a March 29 doubleheader at West Point before traveling north for a March 30 twin-bill at Holy Cross.

April at Home and on the Road

April begins with the Mids at home against Maryland Eastern Shore again on April 2, starting another homestand. League foes Lafayette and Lehigh both come to Annapolis for doubleheaders on April 5 and 6 respectively. The brief stay at Navy's home field concludes with an April 9 visit from in-state opponent Mount St. Mary's. Then, the Mids start a streak of seven-straight league contests. They play a three-game slate at Lafayette on April 12-13 and wrap up the season series against Bucknell with an April 16 matchup in Lewisburg, Pa. A three-game series at home against Holy Cross from April 19 to 20 ends an important nine-day stretch.

Non-Conference Action

The Mids resume non-conference action on April 22 by welcoming William & Mary to Annapolis for the first time in 44 years. Then, they traverse to Lehigh for another three-game league series from April 25 to 27. Navy stays on the road on April 30 when it visits 2024 College World Series participant Virginia in Charlottesville. Finally, they finish the regular season at home with a series against Binghamton from April 3 to 4. This midweek showdown will make it three-straight seasons that the Mids and the national powerhouse Cavaliers have faced off, while the weekend series will mark the first all-time meeting between the Mids and Bearcats on the diamond.The 2024 Patriot League Tournament semifinal round is set to begin on May 10, while the league's championship series is slated to start on May 17. Ristano's squad includes 26 returners from last season, led by former All-Patriot League selections Tyler Grenn, Landon Kruer and Brock Murtha.