NEWARK, Del. - Highlighted by contests against multiple NCAA Regional participants and Atlantic Coast Conference foes, the University of Delaware announced its 2009 baseball schedule today.

The Blue Hens lost three of its members to the Major League Draft following the 2008 campaign, but it still returns a strong group of upperclassmen. Seniors Ryan Reed, who was named last year's Most Valuable Player, and Kyle Davis (at right), who was selected as the team's top defensive player, will be called upon to lead this year's squad.

Junior Ryan Cuneo returns as well after earning top offensive player accolades following a season that saw him lead the team in batting with a .351 average while also orchestrating an incredible 24-game hitting streak.

Delaware will need repeat performances from its top players last season to help compete with the team's grueling 2009 schedule.

The Blue Hens' non-conference slate boasts several intriguing match-ups, including four games against Virginia and Maryland, who both hail from the powerful ACC. The Cavaliers participated in the 2008 NCAA Regionals, while the Terrapins reached the 30-win plateau for just the second time in program history last season.

As usual, Delaware will open its season with its annual trip south, facing Longwood during a four-game set from Feb. 20-22. The team will remain in Virginia for four more contests, playing two games each against Fordham and UVA in Charlottesville from Feb. 27-March 1.

The following week, the squad will kick off its home campaign by taking on St. Joseph's on March 3 before facing Manhattan during the team's first weekend series at Bob Hannah Stadium from March 6-7.

After a quick trip to College Park, Md. to face the Terrapins on March 10, the Hens return home for a three-game series against Marist on March 13-15 and their annual rivalry game with Wilmington College on March 17.

That weekend, Delaware opens conference action with a series at Towson beginning on March 20. The team stays on the road on March 24 when it travels to Penn for the opening round of the Liberty Bell Classic.

The always-tough Old Dominion Monarchs make an appearance in Newark from March 27-28, followed by Georgia State on April 3-5 and Delaware State on April 7.

The Blue Hens will continue their rivalries against Big 5 schools, traveling to face St. Joseph's on April 8 before battling the Temple Owls on April 14. Those two games will be split up by a conference series at Hofstra from April 10-12.

James Madison, the reigning CAA champions, will trek to Delaware on April 17-19 before the Hens take to the road for five games. On April 21, the squad takes on intrastate rival Delaware State and later battles Rutgers on April 28 before a three-game series at UNC Wilmington, who made the 2008 NCAA Regionals, from March 1-3.

Following back-to-back home dates against Rutgers and Temple on March 5 and 6, Delaware travels to Northeastern for the team's last road series of the season beginning on March 8.

The Hens wrap up their regular season with four games at home, taking on Maryland on March 12 before facing Virginia Commonwealth from March 14-16. That weekend, the top six teams will once again face-off in the conference tournament slated to begin on March 20.

AGATE:

February 20-22, at Longwood; February 27, vs. Fordham (at UVA); February 28, at Virginia; March 1, vs. Fordham (at UVA), at Virginia; March 3, St. Joseph’s; March 6-8, Manhattan; March 10, at Maryland; March 13-15, Marist; March 17, Wilmington; March 20-22, at Towson; March 24, at Penn; March 27-39, Old Dominion.

April 3-5, Georgia State; April 7, Delaware State; April 8, at St. Joseph’s; April 10-12, at Hofstra; April 14, at Temple; April 17-19, James Madison; April 21, at Delaware State; April 28, at Rutgers; April 29, UMBC.

May 1-3, at UNC Wilmington; May 5, Rutgers; May 6, Temple; May 8-10, at Northeastern; May 12, Maryland; May 14-16; VCU.