Miami (FL) Hurricanes Final '07 Rank: 35 37-24

The Hurricanes entered 2007 with high hopes and national title aspirations. They did make their NCAA record 35th consecutive regional appearance, however the final tallies were somewhat of a disappointment. They finished at 37-24 (17-13 ACC), a respectable mark, but below that bar that has been set at Miami. The ’08 edition of the team remains largely intact as seven position starters, two starters from its three-man weekend rotation and eight relief pitchers will return to the diamond. With an extra season of experience behind them, the Hurricanes will be looking to fulfill last year’s prophecy that will have them playing in Omaha for the 12th time since 1990.

Hard-hitting junior first baseman Yonder Alonso will be leading the offensive charge after a standout summer playing in the Cape Cod league. After batting a team high .376 with 18 homeruns and 74 RBIs to earn second-team All ACC honors in the spring, Alonso batted .338 and led the Cape in walks and on-base percentage. Right fielder Dennis Raben (.280, 12 HR, 48 RBI) also made waves in the Cape, tying for the league lead with 35 RBIs and impressing scouts with his developing power. Other returning standouts include left fielder Mark Sobolewski, centerfielder Blake Tekotte and second sacker Jemile Weeks. Sobolewski was the Hurricanes' second leading hitter in ’07, hitting an impressive .345 with eight homers and 54 RBIs in his first season for the ‘Canes. The speedy Tekotte will once again be looking to be the sparkplug UM needs at the top of the order after batting .333 with 50 runs, 19 doubles and a team leading 15 stolen bases. Junior second baseman Jemile Weeks wasn’t able to build on his breakout freshman season when he earned a spot on the U.S. National Team, but he still batted .298 with 20 extra-base hits.

Sophomore left-hander Eric Erickson will be the Friday starter for UM after going 10-4 with a 2.50 ERA as freshman in 2007. Erickson showed poise beyond his years, issuing free passes to just 16 batters in 90 innings while striking out 63. Senior Enrique Garcia will return to the hill, bypassing an opportunity to play professional baseball after being selected by the Cubs in the 2007 draft. Garcia finished 8-4 with a 3.82 ERA, striking out 80 opponents in 92 innings for the ‘Canes and should be the Saturday starter. A pair of reenergized arms could weight heavily on Miami’s ability to go deep into the postseason. Carlos Gutierrez was UM's Friday starter in 2006, but had to sit out the 2007 season to recover from Tommy John surgery. Junior Jason Santana went 4-0 with a 1.42 ERA in five appearances before shoulder surgery forced him to sit out the rest of the season. The ‘Canes closing role may fall to sophomore David Guiterrez who went 2-0 with a 3.74 ERA in 29 games for the Orange and Green.

The outlook is brilliant for head coach Jim Morris to lead a team to Omaha for the sixth season. His Hurricanes will have something to prove after losing in their first NCAA Regional since 1993. With an experienced lineup and talented, healthy arms look for the ‘Canes to reclaim there spot among the nation’s elite.