’Canes must replace hitting to thrive

C Zack Collins, OF Willie Abreu, P Bryan Garcia, INF Brandon Lopez, OF Jacob Heyward

P Jeb Bargfeldt, C Michael Amditis, OF Michael Burns, P Evan McKendry, P Gregory Veliz, C Alex Sanchez, INF Brandon Gali

7 p.m. Friday vs. Rutgers The Hurricanes enter the season looking to not only extend their streak of 44 consecutive postseason appearances, but make a third straight trip to Omaha. They’ll have a pitching staff that can help make those things happen, but among the biggest questions they face in the coming weeks is whether they can replace the offense they lost with the departures of All-American catcher

and fellow slugger a third-team All-ACC pick. After losing that kind of pop and All-American closer

expectations for the Hurricanes are mixed, with Baseball America leaving Miami out of its preseason top 25, while the Hurricanes are ranked No. 17 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. Back to lead the Hurricanes offense is infielder

who finished as Miami’s third leading hitter last year with a .342 average, 57 RBI and four home runs. Also returning is who was the Hurricanes’ leadoff hitter last season and thrived in that role, hitting .336 with a team-high 56 runs scored and 16 stolen bases.

Miami’s pitching rotation is expected to be solid with both (11-2, 3.40 ERA) and (9-0, 2.20 ERA) back and likely to pitch on the weekends.

Big departures: Key newcomers: Home opener: Outlook: Collins Bryan Garcia, Ruiz, Carl Chester, Michael Mediavilla Willie Abreu, Zack Johnny Jesse Lepore