University of North Carolina Athletics
Tar Heels Open Team Practice Friday In Cary
January 31, 2008 | Baseball
Jan. 31, 2008
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The road to Omaha begins Friday, as North Carolina's No. 2-ranked baseball squad opens team practice at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary. The Tar Heels are coming off back-to-back appearances in the finals of the College World Series and led the nation with a school-record 57 victories a year ago.
Despite losing six major league draft choices off its roster, Carolina has high expectations entering the 2008 campaign. The Tar Heels have garnered a consensus top-five preseason ranking and claimed the No. 2 spot in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches' Poll and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers rankings.
Sophomore Dustin Ackley, junior Tim Federowicz, junior Adam Warren and senior Rob Wooten each picked up preseason All-America honors and are expected to lead Tar Heel team that features 21 returning letterwinners, including seven position starters. Ackley and Federowicz combined for 216 hits a year ago and are expected to carry an offense that also features All-ACC performers Tim Fedroff and Chad Flack.
Warren, Wooten and sophomore right-hander Alex White are among the most experienced hurlers back on the mound for the Tar Heels. Warren and White are expected to anchor the weekend rotation, while Wooten should fill the closer role after leading the nation with 47 appearances last season.
Carolina will spend the entire 2008 season off campus, while Boshamer Stadium undergoes an extensive renovation. The Tar Heels will play all 32 home games at the USA Baseball National Training Complex Stadium at Cary's Thomas Brooks Park.
UNC opens the 2008 season Feb. 22 at Florida Atlantic and will host No. 25 Old Dominion Feb. 26 in its home opener.
