Diamondhawks ready to step up to the plate
Jim Dalke
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
After starting the 2007 baseball season with three tough losses, including No. 30 Oklahoma and No. 4 South Carolina, the Seahawks are starting 2008 a little bit softer.
The Seahawks face off against Richmond at the JU Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla, Feb. 22 to get their season underway. UNCW will also play Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Jacksonville at the event, before finally returning for the home opener against Elon Feb. 26.
Conference play starts up March 7 at Brooks Field against Towson. The Colonial Athletic Association predicts the Seahawks to finish third in the conference behind Old Domonion and VCU. The Seahawks won't face Old Dominion until the middle of May, which could decide who's atop the CAA. UNCW should be in a nice position towards the end of the season as they host the CAA tournament from May 21-24.
The out of conference schedule features home-and-homes with Coastal Carolina and N.C. State. The Seahawks will also play host to Wake Forest as well as East Carolina, before visiting the Pirates twice.
The Seahawks finished tied for first in the conference last year with a 18-11 record. There are seven position starters returning to the team and the pitching staff will be lead by senior Jeff Hatcher and junior Bradley Holt. UNCW looks to have another promising season and have an excellent shot at putting up another CAA championship banner outside Brooks Field.
2008 CAA Baseball Pre-season
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Old Dominion (9 first-place votes) 99
2. VCU 87
3. UNC Wilmington 77
4. Delaware (2 first-place votes) 69
5. George Mason 58
6. Georgia State 56
7. James Madison 48
8. William and Mary 38
9. Northeastern 35
10. Towson 26
11. Hofstra 12
Key Baseball Matches
@ Coastal Carolina, March 4
Vs. Coastal Carolina, March 19
@ VCU March 28-30
Vs. Wake Forest, April 1
@ N.C. State, April 8
@ Delaware, April 18-20
Vs. East Carolina, April 29
Vs. N.C. State, May 7
Vs. Old Dominion, April 15-17
The Seahawks face off against Richmond at the JU Invitational in Jacksonville, Fla, Feb. 22 to get their season underway. UNCW will also play Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Jacksonville at the event, before finally returning for the home opener against Elon Feb. 26.
Conference play starts up March 7 at Brooks Field against Towson. The Colonial Athletic Association predicts the Seahawks to finish third in the conference behind Old Domonion and VCU. The Seahawks won't face Old Dominion until the middle of May, which could decide who's atop the CAA. UNCW should be in a nice position towards the end of the season as they host the CAA tournament from May 21-24.
The out of conference schedule features home-and-homes with Coastal Carolina and N.C. State. The Seahawks will also play host to Wake Forest as well as East Carolina, before visiting the Pirates twice.
The Seahawks finished tied for first in the conference last year with a 18-11 record. There are seven position starters returning to the team and the pitching staff will be lead by senior Jeff Hatcher and junior Bradley Holt. UNCW looks to have another promising season and have an excellent shot at putting up another CAA championship banner outside Brooks Field.
2008 CAA Baseball Pre-season
Predicted Order of Finish
1. Old Dominion (9 first-place votes) 99
2. VCU 87
3. UNC Wilmington 77
4. Delaware (2 first-place votes) 69
5. George Mason 58
6. Georgia State 56
7. James Madison 48
8. William and Mary 38
9. Northeastern 35
10. Towson 26
11. Hofstra 12
Key Baseball Matches
@ Coastal Carolina, March 4
Vs. Coastal Carolina, March 19
@ VCU March 28-30
Vs. Wake Forest, April 1
@ N.C. State, April 8
@ Delaware, April 18-20
Vs. East Carolina, April 29
Vs. N.C. State, May 7
Vs. Old Dominion, April 15-17
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