1. Arizona State (49-15) Points: 712 (12 first-place votes). Previous ranking: 5. Outlook: Beyond returning five of top seven hitters from lineup that batted .345 last year, Sun Devils got boost when drafted LHP Josh Satow (13-2, 2.76, 119 K in 133 innings) returned for senior season. RH Mike Leake (13-2, 3.69) is No. 2 starter while RH Jason Jarvis had 11 saves in 2007. 3B Brett Wallace (.404, 16 HR, 78 RBI) makes move from 1B. C Petey Paramore (.379, 52 RBI) is team leader and has help from 1B Kiel Roling (.356, 15 HR, 63 RBI) and OF Ike Davis (.349, 61 RBI). Opens: Feb. 22 vs. Miami (Ohio) in DeMarini Classic at Tempe, Ariz. 2. North Carolina (57-16) Points: 674 (2). Previous ranking: 2. Outlook: After finishing second to Oregon State in consecutive years Tar Heels will challenge again with lineup that returns six top hitters, topped by national freshman of year 1B/OF Dustin Ackley (.402, 74 RBI). OF Tim Fedroff (.344), C Tim Federowicz (.333, 65 RBI) and IF Kyle Seager (.308) provide quality offense. UNC lost top two starting pitchers and closer Andrew Carignan but will regroup behind RHs Adam Warren (12-0, 2.17 ERA) and Alex White (6-7 in 18 starts). Opens: Feb. 22 at Florida Atlantic. 3. South Carolina (46-20) Points: 650. Previous ranking: 10. Outlook: Gamecocks must replace top two starting pitchers and closer. RHs Mike Cisco (6-2, 3.84) and Blake Cooper (7-2, 4.48) lead candidates, along with LH Will Atwood (2-2, 4.91). Offense has pop with All-Americas 3B James Darnell (.331, 19 HR, 63 RBI) and 1B Justin Smoak (.315, 22 HR, 72 RBI). C Phil Disher (.328, 15 HR, 63 RBI) brings third power bat while IF Andrew Crisp (.283) and SS Reese Havens (.274) bring steady hands on defense. Opens: Feb. 22 vs. East Carolina. 4. Rice (56-14) Points: 628 (1). Previous ranking: 3. Outlook: Owls lost four of top five hitters, pitching ace Joe Savery and closer Cole St. Clair from team that that fell short in Omaha last season. But RHs Matt Langwell (8-2, 2.35) and Ryan Berry (11-3, 3.01) are formidable rotation that will grow stronger with the return of RH Bobby Bell, who missed most of last year to injury. IF Aaron Luna (.315, 13 HR, 66 RBI) is top hitter and is joined by veterans OF Jordan Dodson (.302, 55 RBI) and IF Jess Buenger (.306, 47 RBI). Opens: Feb. 22 at No. 19 Long Beach State. 5. Arizona (42-17) Points: 614 (10). Previous ranking: 25. Outlook: Wildcats bring back seven starters and four key pitchers from team that was ousted in super regionals. Pac-10 pitcher of year RH Preston Guilmet (12-2, 1.87, 146 K in 135 IP) tops staff with closer LH Daniel Schlereth (3-1, 2.68, 8 saves) at back end and RH Jason Stoffel (5-0, 1.87) in between. 1B C.J. Ziegler (.355, 13 HR, 63 RBI), CF T.J. Steele (.323, 21 SB) and OF/3B Brad Glenn (.333, 10 HR, 62 RBI) are heart of offense that produced almost eight runs a game. Opens: Feb. 22 at Georgia. 6. Vanderbilt (54-13) Points: 549. Previous ranking: 9. Outlook: Commodores might have lost No. 1 overall pick P David Price (11-1, 2.63 ERA) and closer Casey Weathers (12-2, 7 saves), but All-America 3B Pedro Alvarez (.386. 18 HR, 68 RBI) and OF Dominic de la Osa (.378, 20 HR, 62 RBI) return. SS Ryan Flaherty (.381, 57 RBI) and 2B Alex Feinberg (.317) provide two more big bats. LHP Mike Minor (9-1, 3.09) becomes ace in front of RHPs Brett Jacobson (6-3, 3.15) and Nick Christiani (5-3, 4.11). Opens: Feb. 22 vs. No. 11 Oregon State in DeMarini Classic at Tempe, Ariz. 7. Texas (46-17) Points: 537. Previous ranking: 14. Outlook: Eliminated in super regionals last two years, Longhorns will try to rebound behind LHP Austin Wood (8-1, 3.15) and return from injury of RH Kenn Kasparek (13-2 first two seasons). Staff ace Adrian Alaniz and closer Randy Boone are gone, however. OF Kyle Russell (.336, 28 HR, 71 RBI) is nation's top slugger. OF Jordan Danks (.332) and IF Travis Tucker (.307) teamed for 40 steals. Opens: Feb. 22 vs. Virginia Commonwealth. LINK!!!!!!
Didn't we get eliminated in the regionals and not super regionals the last 2 years? None the less, I am happy with the ranking and can't wait for the 22nd!
