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Senior Nick Italiano will anchor second base this year for his third consecutive season. Italiano will likely become the Quakers' all-time leader in hits by the end of this season. [Alex Sun/DP File Photo]

In spite of another extended Philadelphia winter, the Penn baseball team will open their 2003 campaign on schedule this weekend. That's because when the Quakers take the field against Bowling Green State University this Saturday, they will be in balmy Fresno, Calif., where they open their season with an eight-game run before returning east for their March 19 home-opener against Saint Joseph's. But when a new spring does eventually make its way to West Philadelphia, coach Bob Seddon's veteran Penn side is poised to make it a memorable one. "We have solid senior leadership in [Andrew] McCreery, [Nick] Italiano and [Steve] Glass," Seddon said. "And this has really shown in the way our team approaches each and every practice this season." The Quakers return 20 players -- including all eight everyday starters -- from a team that won 13 of their final 18 games to make a furious run at the Lou Gehrig Division title, following a lethargic start in the conference. Though Penn fell just short in the end, finishing two games behind Gehrig Division champion Princeton, its inspiring April homestretch made a resounding statement around the league. "It's exciting to know that your lineup is coming back," tri-captain McCreery said, "to have guys you know you can trust behind you." The senior -- a unanimous selection to the All-Ivy League first team in 2002 -- is considered by many to be a frontrunner for the conference's Player of the Year award. The first baseman/pitcher led the Quakers with a .390 batting average, hitting a blistering .417 in Ivy League play to secure the Blair Batting Championship -- given to the top hitter in Ivy League play -- last season. McCreery emphasizes the experience factor, and what that means as this year's team gears up for a run at the crown. "With everybody back, people know what they can do in our lineup," McCreery said. "They're not going to overextend themselves because they know what's expected of them."

Classmate Nick Italiano, a fellow first-teamer, is also back after leading the Quakers in homeruns (six) and RBI (33). Italiano -- a virtual mainstay for the Quakers at second base over the past three seasons -- made just four errors in 186 chances for a .978 fielding percentage in 2002. What's more, the tri-captain is 32 hits shy of the program record, set by Glen Ambrosius from 1996 to 1999. On the mound, Seddon needs only replace one spot in the weekend rotation, an assignment split last year by graduated seniors Dan Fitzgerald and Mike Mattern. Returning at No. 1 is the ever-versatile McCreery, whose 55.2 innings pitched and 47 strikeouts were both good for team bests. Senior Ben Krantz and junior Russ Brocato, who combined to pitch 88.1 innings in 2002, will look to build on their experience. The fourth spot should be secured by former reliever Bill Kirk, who recorded three saves in 14 appearances while amassing a sterling 3-0 record. Sophomore Brian Winings will succeed Kirk as the closer. It all adds up to the very realistic hope that the Red and Blue could claim their first Ivy League title since 1995, when they finished 13-5. If Penn is to get over the hump, however, they will have to find a way to get past their archnemises -- the Princeton Tigers, winners of the last seven Gehrig Division titles. Last year, the teams met at Princeton's Clarke Field on the opening weekend of the Ivy League season. The home team handed Penn a humbling four-game sweep, placing the Quakers in an early hole. "Because of our experience, I'd imagine we're going to get off to a faster start this year," McCreery said. "Not to say that we didn't have experience last year, but we weren't as close-knit a group as we are now." Despite the plenty of potential successes facing the Quakers -- as both individuals and as a team -- McCreery narrowed it down to one goal. "Just to win a ring. That's all."

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