The sounds of spring will begin to break through the winds of winter beginning at 2:45 today on the University of Evansville campus, as the Purple Aces’ baseball team will begin practice for the upcoming 2008 season this afternoon.

 

Head coach David Seifert’s new-look University of Evansville baseball team will go through its first spring practice this afternoon in the Armory Building, in preparation for the 2008 campaign.  The 2008 squad features a blend of 14 returning players from last year’s 35-23 squad and an exciting incoming class of 22 players which ranked as the fourth-best recruiting class in the Upper Midwest by Baseball America this fall.  The Purple Aces will be trying for UE’s fourth-straight 35-win season this spring.

 

“The biggest thing that stood out to me this fall with this group was the willingness of the players to buy into the system here at UE,” said Seifert.  “The players brought with them a great attitude every day to practice and worked hard, both on the diamond and in the weight room, to get better each day.

 

“With such a young team, you could see some inconsistencies in the early going, but I think that as the season moves on and the freshmen are really no longer freshmen, I think that you’ll see this team really take off.  I’m excited to get started.”

 

UE’s offense is expected to be paced once again this year by senior all-Missouri Valley Conference outfielder Jim Viscomi.  Viscomi, who ranked third in the MVC in hitting last year at .374 while leading the league in runs scored with 59, is expected to once again set the tone for the UE offense in the lead-off spot, while moving from center field to left field this season.

 

True freshman Nate Smith is expected to patrol center field for UE after an outstanding fall season in which he led the team in extra-base hits.  Sophomores Alex Acheson and Jared Baehl and true freshmen Greg Wallace and Ryan Fleming are also expected to see time in the UE outfield this season.

 

“Defensively, I think that you will be hard-pressed to find a better defensive outfield in the college game than we’ll have this year,” said Seifert.  “Nate Smith in center field is the real deal, and with Jim Viscomi moving to left field, it gives you great speed to cover a lot of ground from the left field foul line to the right-center field gap.  Players like Alex Acheson and Greg Wallace also bring a lot of speed to the outfield, so depending on what three players we have out there, we should be able to cover a lot of ground.”

 

On the infield, junior college transfer Derek Melton is expected to battle sophomore Tom Freeman for time at first base, with a bevy of new faces set to battle for time up the middle.  Junior Andy Smith and sophomore Ty Legan will contend with junior college transfers Peter Tountas and Tom Heithoff and freshman Shawn Kuester for UE’s middle infield spots.  Smith could also see time at third base along with rookies Sean Loggins and Brian Robinson.

 

Behind the plate, sophomore Andy Pascoe and true freshman T.J. Dailey are expected to vie for UE’s starting catcher position, with Baehl and Kuester also possibly contending for time as well.

 

“A lot of who will play in the early going will depend on who is able to bring a consistent effort day in and day out,” said Seifert.  “As a whole, this team is very athletic and we have a lot of guys who can play multiple positions well.  I think that that depth and competition for playing time will really make this team fun to watch this year.”

 

On the mound, sophomore right-hander Wade Kapteyn will battle with junior college transfers Heithoff, Ryan Kussmaul, and John Foley and freshmen Matthew Page, Curtis Hudson, Dan Holcomb, and Seth McCabe for time in the UE starting rotation.  Junior right-hander J.R. Carbonell returns to anchor a talented UE bullpen, along with sophomore transfer Corey Davisson and rookie right-hander Zach Taylor.

 

“Pitching-wise, I think that the talent is there to be successful right away,” said Seifert.  “We brought in some very good arms this year and the entire staff has been working hard to improve each and every time they take the mound.  Again, the key will be who can bring consistency on the mound for us this year.”

 

The Purple Aces will have three weeks of practice in preparation for the season-opener on Friday, February 22 at Winthrop in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Evansville will open up a 31-game home schedule on Tuesday, February 26 against Kentucky Wesleyan.