The St. Thomas baseball team is scheduled to play its first game of the season this week; but unlike years past, this season will not begin in the friendly confines of the Metrodome.

With the demolition of the dome, the Tommies, as well as teams from all over Minnesota, lost the one place they could play their early-season games while the snow still covers the ground. Coach Chris Olean said losing the dome is affecting the team on all levels.

“It’s a big deal. We played 10 games in there last year, and had about another six practices,” Olean said.

Without the dome, the team has been forced to practice at other indoor locations, which limits live games preparation.

“It’s going to change everything,” outfielder Tim Kuzniar said. “We’re stuck inside for that extra two weeks instead of taking those live reads off balls and bats.”

In order to play the same amount of games as past seasons, the team will be packing up and heading south. They will play their first 15 games in Tulsa, Okla., Tucson, Ariz. and Winter Haven, Fla.

“It will make for a fun senior year,” catcher J.D. Dorgan said. “More fun than going a couple miles down the road to the Metrodome.”

Where the team plays is not the only change the Tommies will have to deal with this season. The MIAC made a rule change this year, changing all conference doubleheaders from two seven-inning games, to one seven-inning and one nine-inning game.

The longer games though will work to the Tommies’ advantage, Olean said, due to the depth and strength of their pitchers.

“When you play a nine-inning game the better team has more of an opportunity to win,” Olean said. “I know it sounds simple, but when you play seven (innings), some flukey stuff can happen, and you can get beat.”

Amid all the flux the new season is bringing, the Tommies are relying on the things that aren’t changing to carry them to where they want to be.

The team has 15 seniors on the roster this year, and returns eight of nine starters from last season as well as a large chunk of the pitching staff.

“We’re very deep, very experienced,” Olean said. “It’s a team we have high expectations for.”

To add to the expectations, the Tommies received multiple preseason accolades. The team ranks No. 9 in the national D-III polls, and was unanimously selected as the favorite to win the MIAC title, for a 12th straight season.

Three individuals also received honors. Dorgan and Kuzniar, along with pitcher Steve Maher, were named preseason All-Americans.

“It adds a little extra pressure for you,” Kuzniar said about the All-American selection. “You can’t think anything about it though. You have to stay with your own game, play to your own strengths, and let everything go from there.”

The season has yet to start, but with all the changes and expectations for the Tommies this year, they already have midseason focus.

“Looking ahead, we just have to try and get ready for St. Scholastica,” Olean said. “That’s all we’re thinking about right now.”

The Tommies open their season against St. Scholastica Friday, Feb. 28, in Tulsa, Okla.

Scott Sikich can be reached at siki3549@stthomas.edu