MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Starting 2016 with an undefeated preseason and outscoring their opponents 22-5 was a good start for Barry baseball, but now the real thing begins as the Buccaneers take on three formidable teams from the South Atlantic Conference this weekend.

The Buccaneers will take on three opponents in three games in three days, starting with #2 Catawba, the 2015 NCAA Division II runner-up and defending SAC champions on Friday at 6 PM.

In 2015, Catawba went all the way to the final of the NCAA Division II College World Series where they fell to Tampa.

They'll be returning their top hitter: senior catcher Will Albertson, who led the team with a .467 BA, 62 games started, 244 at-bats, 114 run, 26 homeruns and 91 RBI. Also returning for the Indians is senior infielder Dylan Richardson, who was fourth on the team with a .340 BA, 51 runs, 72 hits, a team-leading 24 doubles and four homeruns.

On the mound, Catawba returns sophomore RHP Bryan Blanton, who had a 3.00 ERA in 21.0 IP in 24 appearances. He struck out 29 batters and kept opponents to a .237 BA. Also returning is senior RHP Sean Grant, who had a 3.20 ERA in 45.0 IP in 28 appearances. He struck out 29 and kept batters to a .275 BA.

On Saturday, the Bucs will be taking on Tusculum at 4 PM. The Pioneers went 33-19 in 2015, finishing third in the SAC and return several key parts of their team this year.

Big-time contributors returning for Tusculum are senior infielder Jeovanny Tolentino, who had a .302 BA, 35 runs, 45 hits and 24 RBI in 2015. Also returning is senior outfielder Kevin Victoriano, who was right behind Tolentino is all major categories with a .300 BA and 47 RBI.

Pitching-wise, the Pioneers will rely on player like junior RHP Devan Watts, who had a team-best 1.79 ERA and eight saves while striking out 59 batters and limiting opponents to a .237 BA, and senior LHP Placido Torres who led the team with 100 strikeouts, 85.1 IP and .227 opponent BA.

To end the weekend, the Bucs will take on Newberry on Sunday at 12 PM.

The Wolves went 34-18 in 2015 and finished second in the SAC. They return contributors such as senior outfielder JoJo Bradley, who was third on the team with a .351 BA, 45 runs and 68 hits, and was second in RBI with 39. Also returning is junior catcher Jeff Sneed, who was fifth on the team in hitting overall with a .312 BA, 36 runs, 53 hits, 16 doubles and 42 RBI.

Pitching for the Wolves will be returner senior RHP Daniel Nations who led his team with a 1.41 ERA, five saves, 45 strikeouts in 32.0 IP. Also pitching will be junior RHP Mike DeLee, who had a 2.45 ERA with 50 strikeouts in 40.1 IP.

The Bucs will have a tough test against the best in the South Atlantic Conference and this weekend will be a good measure on how far they can go in 2016.