Saint Vincent to play doubleheader at Pirates' spring training site

Pitchers and catchers will report — along with the rest of the Saint Vincent baseball team.

Saint Vincent will head south next month to open the season, but with a bonus.

The Bearcats will play a doubleheader at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

SVC will face Hilbert for a doubleheader March 4 as part of the Russ Matt Tournament in Winter Haven. Game 1 starts at 10 a.m.

The Bearcats are scheduled to play seven games in Florida before heading to Newport News, Va., for the three-game Builder Invitational on March 16.

“We are thrilled to have an opportunity to play at a ballpark with such a long, rich history,” Saint Vincent baseball coach Mick Janosko said. “The fact that it’s the Pirates’ spring training home makes it even better.

“This should be an experience that our players will never forget. We are very grateful to the Pirates for this opportunity.”

SVC played a team of Pirates prospects in 2006 when it visited Pirate City.

Bill Beckner is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Bill at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.