Jan. 25, 2008
DURHAM, NC--Baseball America magazine ranks the Old Dominion UniversityMonarchs 25th in its pre-season poll. Last week, ODU was selected by the league coaches as the favorite to win the Colonial Athletic Association.
The Monarchs return six starters from last year's 35-24 squad that won the leagueregular season title. ODU's strength will be on the mound led by All-CAA and pre-season All-American junior righthand pitchers Anthony Shawler (11-2, 2.20 ERA, 130 K's), and Dan Hudson (8-5, 3.46 ERA,109 K's).
The Monarchs also return All-Region designated hitter David Burns (.309, 8 HR,61 RBI), senior second baseman Chris Keenan (.278, 31 RBI) and sophomore thirdbaseman Jake McAloose (.306, 34 RBI) who was on the CAA All-Rookie squad last year. ODU welcomes back senior All-CAA and All-Region centerfielder Jimmy Miles (.348, 39-45 SB, 53 R) along with senior firstbaseman Brian Cipolla (.318, 46 RBI), both missed last year with injuries.
ODU opens the season on Feb. 22 when they host defending BIGEAST Champion Rutgers in a three-game series, then travel to fifth ranked North Carolina, the NCAA runner-up the past two years on Feb. 26th and 18th ranked Virginia on Feb. 27.
BASEBALL AMERICAPRESEASON COLEGE TOP 25
1.UCLA2.Arizona3.Vanderbilt4. Mississippi5.North Carolina6.Missouri7.Oregon State8.Michigan9.Arizona State10.Miami11.San Diego12.South Carolina13.Long Beach State14.Rice15.Baylor16.Texas17.Virginia18.Fresno State19.Louisiana-Lafayette20.Wichita State21.Texas A&M22.Tulane23.Clemson24.East Carolina25.OLD DOMINION