#20 |
LOUISVILLE
cardinals
(41-21, 16-11)
final 2008 ranking: NR |
 
Despite making it to the College World Series in 2007,
not a whole lot was expected from last year’s
edition of the Cardinals’ baseball team. The team
lost nearly all of its starters and despite the city
of Louisville’s historic connection to baseball,
the U of L has never been draped in college baseball
tradition nationally. In spite of that, Louisville won
40 games for the second straight season and played impressively
in the postseason. The Cardinals swept through the BIG
EAST conference tournament and lost two close games
in the backyards of Georgia and Georgia Tech. The offense
returns all by one starter from last season, led by
Herculean third baseman Chris Dominguez (.365, 21, 75).
After turning down the Colorado Rockies who drafted
him in the fifth round, Dominguez will be a preseason
front runner for national player of the year honors.
Pitchingwise, the U of L staff will be spearheaded by
junior Justin Marks (9-2, 2.37). Marks may want to considering
clearing some shelf space for personal awards as well
as the lefty won nine games for the second season and
has a 2.53 collegiate ERA.
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