FLORENCE, S.C. – The 25th-ranked Francis Marion University baseball team will open its 2008 campaign on Saturday (Feb. 2) when the Patriots open a three-game series at Valdosta State University. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. and a single game on Sunday, also at 1 p.m.

Eighth-year Francis Marion head coach Art Inabinet welcomes back 16 of 28 lettermen from last year's 36-18 squad that finished third during the Peach Belt Conference regular season, recorded the second-highest win total in the program’s history, and ended the year ranked 29th nationally.  Eight of the team’s losses were to nationally ranked opponents.

“This will be a tough start for us, playing at Valdosta State, but it will give us an early indication of where we stand,” Inabinet said. “This will be much like a Peach Belt Conference weekend series.”

“We are excited for the season to start. This spring we have played very well defensively and have hit the ball well. Unusually for us, pitching has the area that has dragged behind. This year’s staff of hurlers is very capable, just unknown right now.”

Seven of 11 pitchers from last year’s staff that registered the nation’s ninth-best earned run average (3.08) return, but Inabinet must replace right-hander Dylan Owen (10-1, 1.14 ERA), the NCAA Division II Pitcher of the Year for 2007, and three other hurlers who combined to start 33 of the team’s 54 contests. The returnees include senior lefty closer Zach Farry (3-2, team-record 10 saves, 2.03 ERA); senior righty Dusty Floyd (1-0, 4.66, 11-0 career mark); senior lefty Brandon White (0-3, 6.42); sophomore southpaw Cory Deering (4-1, 2.47) and sophomore righty Erik Sommerville (2-1, 1 save, 3.66).

Inabinet pointed to Spartanburg Methodist College transfer David Walters as the opening-game pitcher. Walters was 5-5 last year with a 3.62 earned run average while helping the Pioneers to a third-place finish at the NJCAA World Series.  Deering gets the nod to start Saturday’s second game.

“Offensively, your hope is always to be able to open the attack up and not have to play small ball. We have about the same amount of speed as we have had in the past several years, with four players who can really get down the base paths. We will look to seniors Justin Green and David Bounds and junior catcher Jared Barkdoll for leadership on the field.”

Four position starters return from 2007: Greene (.324, 5 HRs, 35 RBIs), a senior outfielder; senior shortstop Greg Phelps (.315, 19 RBIs); senior second baseman Ryan Hypke (.327, 1 HR, 10 RBIs); and Barkdoll (.356, 5 HRs, 41 RBIs).

Following this weekend’s series, FMU will play at Newberry College on Tuesday evening before hosting the four-day Swamp Fox Challenge, Thursday through Sunday (Feb. 7-10). This year’s 52-game schedule includes 28 home games. The 2008 PBC Baseball Tournament will be played May 8-11 in Aiken.