Butera, who Aoki describes as having "one of the best two or three arms on the team," may switch with Hamlet later in the year and move to right field because of his arm strength. For now, however, Butera will flash his glove at second. The left-handed hitter, who started six games last season, caught Aoki's eye in the preseason. "He's always been good defensively, but in the bubble, he swung the bat a heck of a lot better," the coach said.
Another fresh face on the diamond is that of Garret Smith. Smith has been penciled in to replace Ryan Hutchinson at shortstop. The freshman from Sterling, Mass. is very strong in the field and showcases a brilliant arm, which Aoki said may be the strongest on the team.
While the middle infield lacks experience, the corner spots will be manned by two players coming off solid seasons in 2007. Third baseman Eric Campbell, a second-team All-ACC selection last spring, returns after leading the Eagles with a .350 batting average. The 6-foot-3 junior, who is listed as a co-captain for the 2008 squad, was recently named to the watch list for the 2008 Brooks Wallace, an award given to the country's best player. Sophomore Michael Belfiore returns as the team's first baseman. Belfiore hit .297 last spring while splitting time at first base and right field. The 6-foot-3 left-hander may also get a strong look on the mound as the season progresses after pitching in seven games as a freshman.
The third returning starter is catcher Tony Sanchez. Sanchez, a sophomore from Miami, had a productive debut in 2007 when he started 48 games and hit .318. Regarded as one of the ACC's top backstops, Sanchez is expected to take on a leadership role as the season progresses. The catcher was also named to the Brooks Wallace watch list along with Campbell.
In the outfield, Aoki is confident that a mix of players will aptly fill roles left behind by Peter Frates, Jared McGuire, and Johnny Ayers. While either Hamlet or Butera should play right field, freshman Marc Perdios has won the job in center. "He's a talented kid," Aoki said. "He's a coach's son (his dad coaches at Curry College in Milton, Mass.), and he brings along with him all the attributes that your typical coach's son does. He just has a really good feel for playing the game."
Spring Break
