College Baseball: Texas Longhorns Crack Preseason Top 10

Tyler Roberts — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:25:26 -0500

The University of Texas baseball team has a very good reason to be optimistic about this season.

The Longhorns come into the season ranked sixth in the preseason NCBWA Top 35. Texas finished 46-17 last season and ranked 12th in the final poll.

Texas returns five top hitters from 2007, including outfielders Kyle Russell and Jordan Danks, catcher Preston Clark, designated hitter Russell Moldenhauer and infielder Travis Tucker.

Last year's pitching staff was riddled with injuries, but are healthy again this season. Starters Kenn Kasparek and Riley Boening join Austin Wood in the starting rotation.

Florida State-transfer Casey Whitmer has great potential and freshmen Cole Green and Chance Ruffin should have great first years.

Getting the number one position in the preseason poll is Arizona State, followed by North Carolina, Rice, South Carolina and Arizona.

Other Big 12 teams to make the Top 35 are No. 17 Missouri, No. 20 Texas A&M, No. 26 Baylor and Oklahoma State at No. 27.

The Longhorns will be opening up their season against Virginia Commonwealth in the newly-renovated UFCU Disch-Falk Field on February 22nd.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Tyler Roberts

College Baseball: Texas Longhorns Crack Preseason Top 10