Let the games begin

NEWPORT, R.I. - Before they have even played a game in 2018, the two-time defending Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) baseball champions from Salve Regina University have earned a pre-season national ranking - No. 22 according to the prognosticators at Perfect Game.

"Obviously it's a thrill to garner our first-ever pre-season national ranking, but it also puts a big bull's-eye on our back and in the grand scheme of things doesn't mean a whole heck of a lot, except that on paper we have talent and we ended last year with a really good record," remarks fifth-year head coach Eric Cirella.

"I told our guys that even with a national ranking, we had nobody listed on the pre-season All-American team, obviously trying to fuel their fire a little bit. It is a nice recruiting tool and a great thing to see as the program has continued to raise the bar the last few seasons."

"This ranking is also a testament to the support we get from administration here at Salve Regina, as well as my coaching staff, the players who wore the uniforms in seasons past, our alumni and booster club, and all the people who help us in many different ways."

"We have to improve in a lot of areas, and we have to be obsessed with the process of being great before we can do special things on the field this spring. We still have a lot of work to do, as we talk about national rankings yet we haven't had a (game). That makes me laugh. But make no mistake about it, I am very proud of this ranking and a lot of work has been put in to get the program to this point - but now we have to answer the bell day in and day out. It is a daunting task but it is also the part of my job that I find most enjoyable, the journey that is a college baseball season."

Salve Regina has postponed its original season opener with Fitchburg State until Tue., April 17; the Seahawks now open on neutral ground in Northboro, Mass., against Framingham State on Sun., March 4 (11 a.m.).