Jan. 25, 2008
DURHAM, NC--Baseball America magazine ranks the Old Dominion University
Monarchs 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 league
regular 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 AMERICA
PRESEASON COLEGE TOP 25
1. UCLA
2. Arizona
3. Vanderbilt
4. Mississippi
5. North Carolina
6. Missouri
7. Oregon State
8. Michigan
9. Arizona State
10. Miami
11. San Diego
12. South Carolina
13. Long Beach State
14. Rice
15. Baylor
16. Texas
17. Virginia
18. Fresno State
19. Louisiana-Lafayette
20. Wichita State
21. Texas A&M
22. Tulane
23. Clemson
24. East Carolina
25. OLD DOMINION
