SURPRISE, Ariz.- Due to heavy forecasted rain over the weekend, Gonzaga baseball's season will begin a bit earlier than expected.

The Bulldogs will now play a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 17. The season will begin at 9:00 a.m. Pacific (10:00 a.m. Mountain) when the Zags face Duke on the Royals Auxiliary 6 Field at the Surprise Baseball Complex. After that game, Gonzaga will face Indiana on the same field. First pitch for that contest is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Pacific (2:00 p.m. Mountain).

On Saturday, Feb. 18, the Bulldogs and Blue Devils will brave forecasted heavy rain in an attempt to get a game in. That contest will take place at Surprise Stadium but does not yet have start time.

Opening weekend will conclude on Sunday, Feb. 19, with the Zags and Hoosiers playing their originally-scheduled contest at 12:30 p.m. Pacific (1:30 p.m. Mountain). That too will take place at Surprise Stadium.

Due to the schedule changes, Gonzaga and Oregon State will not face each other this weekend. Stay tuned to www.GoZags.com or follow the team on Twitter at @GonzagaBaseball for the latest information, including a game time for Saturday's contest.

Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic Schedule