SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Santa Clara baseball released its 2016 schedule Wednesday, and opens the season against a reigning NCAA Tournament participant for the second year in a row. The Broncos host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Feb. 19-21 at Schott Stadium to start their 54-game campaign.

"I know I speak for the whole ballclub when I say that February can't come soon enough. I can't wait to go to battle with these guys," fifth-year head coach Dan O'Brien said. "Coach Gabe Ribas has once again created a dynamic, challenging schedule that will help us properly prepare for our tough conference battles."

After a midweek matchup at San José State, Santa Clara hosts the Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament Feb. 25-28 to honor the late supporter of Bronco baseball. The five-team event features nine games in four days between Santa Clara, UC Davis, Utah Valley, Saint Joseph's and 2015 NCAA Regional participant Michigan.

Santa Clara's pre-conference schedule also includes a midweek trip to Mountain West powerhouse Nevada March 1 and a four-game road series at Washington March 4-6. The team plays 13 games in the first 17 days of the season. Other non-conference opponents include New Mexico, Cal Poly and Stanford.

The Broncos begin West Coast Conference action at San Francisco March 18-20, then travel to the Aloha State for a non-conference series at Hawai'i March 24-27 as part of a season long seven-game road trip. They play nine straight games at Schott Stadium March 30 - April 12, including the first WCC home series against Saint Mary's April 1-3.

Santa Clara faces the WCC's 2015 tournament champion and NCAA Regional participant Pepperdine at home, followed by 2015 WCC regular season champion San Diego on the road during consecutive weekends in mid-April. They match up with LMU and Portland in Santa Clara, and face Gonzaga, Pacific and BYU on the road to round out the conference slate. The Broncos' last regular season series is May 19-21 against the Cougars.

"I love this schedule," O'Brien said. "We believe in competing at the highest level possible, and I know our guys love that challenge as well."

The 2016 West Coast Conference Baseball Championship returns to Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, Calif., with an automatic bid to an NCAA Regional up for grabs in the four-team tournament. The Broncos can earn their second trip to the championship in three years with a top four finish in conference play. 

Santa Clara's fall exhibition slate includes a Halloween day matchup with Stanford, an alumni game Nov. 13 and a game against Cal Poly Nov. 14. They also play at Nevada Nov. 7. 

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