More than anywhere else, the outfield was sapped by graduation. The Crimson lost leftfielder Aaron Kessler and centerfielder Brian Ralph, now playing in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Kessler hit .337 with 56 hits and 22 stolen bases in 1998, while Ralph--who fielded 1.000 and regularly made Willie Mays-style grabs in center--hit .347 with a team-high 10 home runs and a .703 slugging percentage.

Those are daunting numbers, but Walsh has juggled the outfield to compensate. Senior rightfielder Andrew Huling will move to center, while sophomores John Portman and Scott Carmack will get the left and rightfield nods, respectively.

"I think Carmack and Portman are ready to step up as sophomores like many of the seniors on this team did as sophomores," Walsh said.

Carmack hit .344 in his rookie campaign, appearing in 25 games and starting nine. Portman hit .220 in 50 at-bats.

Huling will provide the glue that the younger two-thirds of the outfield will need. A stellar defender and quiet contributor, Huling hit an unassuming .337 with 57 hits and stole 21 bases while fielding .986. Huling also showcased a shotgun arm, recording eight outfield assists.

"Huling is on fire," Keck said. "There's just no weak spot in the lineup."