Ready or not, here it comes. The first half of the UNCW baseball season is over, and it is time for CAA play.

The Seahawks will play their first conference game Mar. 26 at James Madison to start a three-game weekend series.

After a rough start the team has battled through a very competitive non-conference schedule, building its record to 11-9.

The tough non-conference schedule should benefit the Seahawks as the CAA doesn’t look to be much easier.

“This is maybe one of the best years ever for the CAA,” coach Mark Scalf said. “We are going to have to come to compete every weekend if we expect to win.”

Scalf feels that his team already experienced a lot this season and knows that his team needs to continue to improve. During the Seahawks’ three-game series against Kent State on Mar. 19-21, UNCW twice came back from five-run deficits. In the final game of the set, freshman Jonathan Batts hit the game-deciding three-run home run, capping a 5-for-5 day at the plate.

“I don’t know if we are quite ready to go, but we are getting closer every day. We have to pitch a little better and hit a little better, but whether we are ready to go into conference play or not, we are going into it on Friday,” Scalf said.

The players seem prepared and optimistic about beginning the conference schedule.

“The toughness of our schedule so far has gotten our confidence way up. We are definitely ready to go,” junior pitcher Ronald Hill said. “We are a real solid team all around and we are excited to get started.”

This year’s CAA home schedule includes series with George Mason, Hofstra, Towson and Old Dominion. The squad travels to James Madison, Delaware, William & Mary and Virginia Commonwealth for a total of 24 conference games.

Last season, UNCW compiled a 15-6 record in the conference and finished second behind VCU, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament in the process.

The Seahawks played exceptionally well at home, winning eight of their nine games at Brooks Field. This season, VCU’s Rams are projected to finish on top once again while, UNCW is predicted to come in second.