LOWELL, Mass. -- The Lowell Spinners, Class A Short-Season affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, will begin their 2012 season unofficially, with an exhibition game against the Nashua Silver Knights of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, June 15 at 5 p.m. at LeLacheur Park.

Admission to the game will be free, as the Spinners invite fans to prepare for Monday's Opening Day with a sneak peek of the 2012 team.

"The Red Sox approached us about the possibility of setting up this exhibition game and given our affiliation with the Silver Knights, we were thrilled to oblige," said Spinners president and general manager, Tim Bawmann. "This is a great chance not only for the Spinners players to ease into playing at LeLacheur Park, but a phenomenal opportunity for the Silver Knights players to play a professional team in front of the Boston operations staff."

The Silver Knights, owned and managed by the Lowell Spinners, feature a roster comprised largely of local college players in the second-year Futures League. The roster is highlighted by Chris Shaw, an incoming freshman at Boston College and recent graduate of Lexington (Mass.) High School.

"For the Silver Knights players, many of whom grew up locally, they are born and bred Red Sox fans," said Bawmann, who also serves as the president of the Silver Knights. "This should be a great experience for the entire team."

First pitch for the exhibition is scheduled for 5 p.m. and gates will open at 3 p.m. Seating is general admission and the Spinner concessions stands will be open during the game. The park will close at 6 p.m. for an exclusive season ticket holder function. The game will represent the first look at the 2012 Spinners, including many of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft picks. The Spinners roster includes a slew of high Draft picks including outfielders Williams Jerez (2011, 2) and Kendrick Perkins (2010, 6) and infielder Mookie Betts (2011, 5), as well as 2012 Draft picks Mike Augilera (5), Justin Haley (6) and Kyle Kraus (7).

Opening Day 2012 is June 18, when the Spinners take on the Connecticut Tigers. Tickets for all 2012 home games, presented by Jeanne D'Arc credit union, are on sale now at www.LowellSpinners.com.