With blue skies, warm weather and sunshine forecasted, the Wichita State baseball team couldn’t ask for a better start to their season.

The first of many home games for the Shockers will host the Northern Colorado Bears in a three game series.

Picked to finish eighth in the Western Athletic Conference, Northern Colorado doesn’t have quite the same hype as the Shockers. The Bears have lost their star slugger, Jensen Park, who was ranked third in the nation, and they don’t seem to impose much threat to the Shockers.

Coming off an abysmal 16-32 season and a record of 4-17 in non-conference play last year, the Bears have a tough season opener at Tyler Field.

Main thing to watch for in this series match-up would be the unexpected.

For the home team, the Shockers start their season ranked third in the Missouri Valley Conference. Shocker pitcher Sam Tewes will take the mound in Friday’s game after missing most of last season due to injury.

We will get to see the talent, experience and depth coach Todd Butler has been talking about leading into this season.

Also new to the stadium, fans can check out the huge digital HD scoreboard in left-field.

The series starts at 3 p.m. Friday at Eck Stadium.

If you go:

Wichita State v. Northern Colorado

When: 3 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Eck Stadium