Major League Baseball's opening day is still 40 days away, but it's already that time of year again for the Eagles' team.
The 2007 season kicks off this Friday against the Belmont Bruins in Nashville, Tenn., and from there it will be nonstop excitement.
The ACC features six teams in the Baseball America Top 25, including North Carolina and Clemson at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, respectively; this season should be a challenging one for the Eagles, but thrilling nonetheless.
The Eagles will go into the season with a new rotation, as senior Kevin Boggan moves from the bullpen to the rotation, joining the finally healthy Adam Crabtree and Nick Asselin as the third starter.
The rotation will be bolstered when Terry Doyle, who as Boggan commented, "should be an impact arm for us," returns from injury within the first month of the season.
Coach Mikio Aoki discussed Doyle's situation, "Terry's on the shelf for us this weekend. He has a bright future professionally and he's going to be a big part of whatever success we have this year, so you don't want to rush him back."
The bullpen will feature fifth year senior Nate Jeanes, senior Ted Ratliff, and closer Dan Houston.
Boggan, who spent last summer plying his trade for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, will get the nod in BC's opening tilt with Belmont.
The 6-2 right-hander talked about that start, "I'm excited, I'm a senior, but surprisingly it's my first college start, so I'm really looking forward to it. I've been geared up for it for about four months now."
Boggan's battery mate is yet to be determined for that night, although it will most likely be junior Jett Ruiz.
Ruiz, from Lakeside, Calif., will split time with freshman Tony Sanchez, who comes to the Heights from Miami, Fla.
Both will also see time serving as designated hitter as well.
The outfield will be comprised of junior Johnny Ayers, senior Jared McGuire, senior co-captain Peter Frates, and junior Brandon Ziemann.
2008 Woodie Awards
