HOUSTON – The 2012 edition of the Alabama State University baseball team will open the new season with three games in the fifth annual Major League Baseball Urban Invitational. The Hornets will face UC-Irvine Friday at 11 a.m. at Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros.
“We've been ready for a few days now,” head coach
Mervyl Melendez said after his team's practice Thursday afternoon at the Astros' Urban Youth Academy & Jimmy Wynn Training Center in northwest Houston. “The anticipation kills you a little bit, but our guys are excited, they're motivated, and they seem to be in good spirits and eager to get started. Friday cannot get here fast enough for us.”
Due to expected rain in the Houston area, Friday's game has a new start time and a new venue in Minute Maid Park, providing the Hornets the unique opportunity to open the season with a pair of games in a Major League Baseball stadium.
“Absolutely there's excitement about that,” said Melendez of playing in the retractable roof stadium in downtown Houston. “That's always a goal of any kid growing up, to play on a big league field. I'm sure they'd want to do it in a professional uniform, but this is a start. We are playing where a lot of major league players have played, and it is an honor for them. It is definitely an honor for the Alabama State baseball program and our university to open the season with back-to-back games in a major league facility.”
Senior left-hander
Ron Frost will get the start for the Hornets against the Anteaters. The Atlanta, Ga. native posted a 2-2 record last season in 12 games with six starts, but has had a very impressive offseason.
“Ron has shown us he is ready to be a leader on the staff,” Melendez said. “He's showed good composure in a lot of good outings in the fall and early in the spring during scrimmages. We believe he is mentally and physically ready to take on the challenge of carrying a staff and giving us the quality innings that we will need.”
After 17 consecutive seasons at his alma mater Bethune-Cookman as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, Melendez officially puts on the Hornet uniform on gameday for the first time.
“It's extremely exciting,” Melendez said. “I tried on the uniform Wednesday and my wife Aixa said 'I like those colors on you'. It's a new chapter in my life and my career. I know God puts us in places where we are going to succeed and build new roots. Alabama State is definitely the place we have chosen and God has chosen for us. We're excited, not only me, but my entire staff, to get started.”
