Feb 16, 2009 10:34 pm US/Eastern
Baseball 'Canes Gear Up For 2009
CORAL GABLES (CBS4.com) ―
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The Miami Hurricanes will open the 2009 baseball season on Friday, Feb. 20 at home against Rutgers at 7 p.m.
CBS
The University of Miami baseball team worked out at the
newly renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field on Monday.
Coach Jim Morris, back for his 16th season with
the 'Canes, now begins the unenviable task of trying to rebuild and reload.
Last year Miami won its first ever ACC Championship, finishing the season 53-11
before being eliminated by Stanford in the second round of the College World
Series.
"This is probably the team where I have the least
number of starters returning in my college career," said Morris.
Miami had three players (first baseman Yonder Alonso, second
baseman Jemile Weeks and pitcher Carlos Gutierrez) selected in the first round
of the MLB draft in June. Three others (outfielders Dennis Raben and Blake
Tekotte and third baseman Mark Sobolewski) were taken on the first day.
"I keep telling myself and reminding myself that back
in 1998 when we lost Burrell, Huff, and Michaels and Cora that the next year in
1999 nobody gave us a chance and we won it," said Morris.
"That's the way I go to sleep every night. This club is like
that club. It's a very young club, even though we did have a few more veterans
returning in 1999 than we do this year. It's still exciting and our guys are
working hard."
Don't feel too sorry for the Hurricanes though, the 2009
squad will feature several Preseason All-Americans.
Shortstop Ryan Jackson
had a breakout year in 2008 as a sophomore,
hitting .360 with four home runs, 50 RBI, 49 runs scored and 10 stolen bases en
route to First Team All-ACC honors.
Starting pitcher
Chris Hernandez is coming off one of the most decorated freshman seasons in
school history, finishing a perfect 11-0 with a 2.72 ERA en route to numerous
All-American honors in 2008.
Kyle Bellamy served
as one of the top set-up men in the nation last season. He finished his
sophomore season with a record of 6-0 and a staff-best 1.86 ERA in 63.0 innings
of work. He also led the 'Canes in appearances (43) and opponent's batting
average against (.183). This year Bellamy will replace Carlos Gutierrez as the
teams closer.
Most college baseball polls have Miami ranked in the Top 25
(14th USA Today/ESPN, 23rd Rivals.com).
The Hurricanes will open the 2009
season on Friday, Feb. 20 at home against Rutgers at 7 p.m.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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