Baseball season is closing in, and I, for one, am happy about that.

Great kids, and the heart of the Hurricanes' batting lineup -- ACC Rookie of the Year Zack Collins in the 3 spot, David Thompson at cleanup and sophomore outfielder Willie Abreu the likely No. 5 hitter -- appears to be a terror for opponents.

The Canes open the season Friday night, Feb. 13, at home against Rutgers, with a double-header on Feb. 14 and the series finale on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 15.

Collins was recently named to the Perfect Game Preseason All-America first team, with reliever Bryan Garcia a third-team selection. They also were recognized by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

On Tuesday, UM made its debut in Perfect Game's top 25 at No. 10.

According to the UM release we just received, the ranking was Miami’s third top 15 mark of the preseason; Collegiate Baseball Newspaper slotted Miami at No. 14 in its preseason poll released in December, while D1Baseball rated Miami No. 15 in its rankings released Monday.

Miami, which finished 44-19 in 2014 and earned one of 16 NCAA postseason Regional host sites, ended the season atop the ACC with a 24-6 record in conference play. Head coach Jim Morris' team also took home their second ACC Regular Season Championship in program history en route to a top seed at the ACC Baseball Championship in Greensboro, N.C.

The Hurricanes, who in 2014 extended their postseason streak to a college baseball-record 42 consecutive years, return a number of key contributors from last season both on the mound and in the field.



Collins was named 2014 Baseball America National Freshman of the Year, left-handed pitcher Andy Suarez was the highest drafted college player (second round, Washington Nationals) in the nation to return to school, while Garcia earned NCBWA All-America honors after delivering a dominant season as the team's closer.

Also note that quarterback Malik Rosier, a rising redshirt freshman in football, is now officially on the baseball roster as an outfielder and will wear No. 28. He's listed as 6-1 and 208 pounds .Word is that Rosier, who will continue to play football, has been impressive so far in early practices. He's fast, too.





UM's recruiting class was ranked No. 2 nationally by Perfect Game, highlighted by speedy freshman outfielder Carl Chester, junior college transfer George Iskenderian (likely the opening-night third baseman) and outfielder Justin Smith.

The Hurricanes will open the season with the First Pitch Banquet on Feb at the Marriott Miami Dadeland. The Canes will host FanFest and its annual Alumni Game at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field at 4 p.m. Feb. 7. Admission to FanFest is free.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN