SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri State University has finalized its fall baseball schedule and as 2017-18 roster, head coach Keith Guttin announced Thursday. 

The Bears will join forces with Drury University to help fight Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) with the second installment of 'Battle for Bell' this Saturday (Sept. 23) to open MSU's fall slate. The contest will be hosted by the Panthers at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark, Mo., and benefit the CoxHealth ALS Clinic, which provides coordinated care and support to ALS patients in the region. 

MSU will then welcome the Ontario Blue Jays to Hammons Field Monday (Sept. 25) for a 3 p.m. exhibition contest, before kicking off its annual  Maroon and White Fall World Series on Sept. 29. Admission to all home fall contests is free and open to the public.

Guttin also confirmed the addition of outfielder Brooks Zimmerman, a junior transfer from Cowley (Kan.) County Community College, to the Bears' roster, bringing MSU's 2017 recruiting class to 13 members. Zimmerman hit .383 with four homers and 60 RBIs to capture all-conference and Region VI All-Tournament team honors for a Cowley club that finished third at the NJCAA Division I World Series. A two-time Oklahoma 6A All-State selection as a prep standout at Stillwater High School, Zimmerman hit .460 with 11 round-trippers and 60 RBIs as a senior after helping lead the Pioneers to a state championship as a junior in 2014.

Missouri State expects to return 18 letterwinners from its 2017 squad that went 43-20, captured the MVC regular-season title and its second NCAA Regional championship in three years. 


2017 Missouri State Baseball Fall Schedule
Sept. 23 - Battle For Bell II at Drury (7 p.m. at U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark, Mo.)
Sept. 25 - Ontario Blue Jays (3 p.m.)

Maroon and White Fall World Series

• Game 1 - Sept. 29 (3 p.m.)
• Game 2 - Oct. 5 (3 p.m.)
• Game 3 - Oct. 6 (3 p.m.)
• Game 4 - Oct. 10 (3 p.m.)
• Game 5 - Oct. 12 (11 a.m.)
• Game 6 - Oct. 16 (3 p.m.)
• Game 7 - Oct. 17 (3 p.m.)