UNC notes: Baseball returns home

Staff photo by Robert Willett

CHAPEL HILL — North Carolina's top-ranked baseball team begins its quest for a fourth straight trip to the College World Series when it opens the season next Friday against VMI.

And it will do it in the newly-expanded and re-opened Boshamer Stadium.

Crews on Friday were putting the finishing touches on the $22.6 million project that included luxury boxes, new offices and now a 4,100-fan capacity.

But after spending last season playing and practicing in Cary, the Tar Heels were beaming about their new home.

"I can’t describe it,'' coach Mike Fox said about his feelings on the new arena. "I’ve walked in here every day more than once for the last year and a half and I’ve watched every bolt and seat put in here and it’s still hard for me to believe. ...The best part now is moving everything in and seeing it come to life."

MOVE FOR ACKLEY?: Junior Dustin Ackley, who is projected as a top-five pro pick, has recovered well from off-season elbow surgery. He still hasn't been cleared to throw from the outfield, so he will start Friday's game at first base -- where he also started last season.

But he may eventually move to the outfield, where is projected to play in the pros. The Tar Heels lost all three of their outfielders from last season.

"We have that option [to move him] – and that’s a good option for us to have,'' Fox said. "He’s probably our best defensive outfielder. A lot of it will depend on what’s happening with our team up until the time he’s comfortable and ready to play the outfield, and who else could fill different positions.

"I have to be careful about that. If things are on a good roll, I don’t want to disrupt things. It’s more of a team thing, but it’s also an individual thing with Dusty because I’d like for him to play the outfield some for us – I think that’d help him.