With just a few days left until spring break, the members of the Harvard baseball team are as eager as anyone to leave Cambridge for greener pastures.

As junior outfielder Mike Hill points out, Harvard "has had a very, very long season in the cage. We're just antsy--we can see the talent, now we want to get it going."

The Crimson won't have to wait much longer. On Friday it opens its 128th season in Clearwater, Fla. against national powerhouse Michigan State.

This year's team is long on talent and experience. With only one player departed from last year's squad (former Captain Marcel Durand), the Crimson appears poised to contend for its first EIBL title since 1984.

It's no secret that hitting is the team's main asset. Last year's team batting average of .351 was third in the nation, and with eight of nine starters returning, the lineup could register some truly impressive numbers.

"We hit well last year, and we expect to hit well this year", Coach Leigh Hogan said. "I'm anticipating that we'll have a very good team."

Co-Captain and second baseman Jim Mrowka led last year's team in hitting with a Williams-esque .423 mark, breaking school records for hits (63) and doubles (19) in the process.

A First-Team All-EIBL selection, Mrowka is expecting good team results but believes that confidence will be the key.

"We're excited for a big year. We [Mrowka and fellow Captain Dan Scanlan] are trying to instill a confidence in our players that we can play with any team in the country," Mrowka said.

Senior Co-Captain Dan Scanlan checked in at .354 with 51 hits, 7 homers and a team-leading 41 RBI's. He also played solidly at first base, committing only four errors.

Del At DH

Scanlan was usually followed in the batting order by senior outfielder and DH Nick DelVecchio, who was second on the team with a .392 average. DelVecchio is also the team's best power hitter, belting a school recordtying 10 dingers last season to go with an incredible .746 slugging percentage.

Hogan said that he is optimistic about his club's chances in large part because of its overall experience.

"Whereas last year we were predominantly freshmen and sophomores with some juniors, now we're a significantly older team because we're relying on players who have at least a year under their belt," Hogan said.

Including Scanlan and Del Vecchio, the entire infield remains intact. Sophomore Mike Giardi will likely start at shortstop after recording an impressive .360 mark at the plate. Junior Pat Hegarty returns at third. Versatile sophomore Eric Weissman will see time at short and third, particularly when Giardi plays in the outfield.