Before Appalachian State University baseball can turn its focus to one of the most-anticipated series in recent memory, it must first look to extend its season-opening winning streak with mid-week non-conference tilts versus Wake Forest and Gardner-Webb. Appalachian travels to face Wake Forest on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and Gardner-Webb on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Following this past weekend's three-game sweep of Jacksonville State, ASU brings its first 3-0 record in 13 years into the mid-week affairs at WFU and GWU. Appalachian swept JSU, the defending Ohio Valley Conference regular-season champion, at McNair Field in Forest City, N.C. to move to 3-0 for the first time since 1996.

After years of futility against Wake Forest, the Mountaineers swept two meetings with the Demon Deacons a year ago by a combined score of 40-14, putting up its highest scoring totals ever (18 and 22 runs, respectively) versus an ACC foe. The season sweep was the Apps' first over the Deacs since 1996.

Tuesday's contest will be played at newly renovated Wake Forest Baseball Park. After playing 28 seasons at on-campus Hooks Stadium, Wake Forest moved into the former Ernie Shore Field this season.

Following the showdown with Wake, Appalachian follows nearly the same path that it took this past weekend to Forest City when it visits Gardner-Webb's Masters Field. ASU split its two meetings with GWU last season, falling, 10-3, at home but winning, 9-3, in Boiling Springs. Appalachian holds a 16-13 all-time advantage against Gardner-Webb, which is coached by ASU alumnus Rusty Stroupe.

After the mid-week contests, the Mountaineers open their home slate with a monumental three-game series versus defending Southern Conference regular-season and tournament champion Elon. The games ? set for Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. ? are the first to be played since the completion of the Apps' sparkling new home, Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. Construction on the $5 million ballpark was completed in the fall.