The Auburn Baseball team is gearing up for the spring 2010 season, coming off a 31-25 (11-19 SEC) 2009 season.
Junior Hunter Morris is a power hitter coming back this season with experience.
"We have a good group of older guys, a lot of leadership coming back this year," Morris said. "It is the first time in a while that we're a really experienced team."
Morris, who has 25 career homeruns and was a member of the USA Baseball National Team in summer 2009, has been recognized with various awards from the SEC, including Freshman All-American, SEC Freshman of the Year, Second Team All-SEC and the SEC All-Freshman team.
"It's more what you put in away from practice that you get the most out of," Morris said.
He was a second round pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft.
Junior outfielder Brian Fletcher said he has very high expectations for the 2010 season, too.
"I want to play the best I can," Fletcher said. "I want to help everyone be a better player and help the team out."
Fletcher, who plays left field, has hit 27 homeruns in his two years at Auburn.
"I am excited about this season," Fletcher said. "I know our team is capable of getting to the postseason, and I am eager to see how far we can go."
Head coach John Pawlowski said the veterans will be looked to help lead the team offensively.
"You also look at the guys on the field, guys like Hunter Morris, Trent Mummey, Kevin Patterson and Brian Fletcher, and those guys have all been through the rigors of this league," Pawlowski said.
Pawlowski, who is in his second year as head coach, talked about the importance of offense on this 2010 team.
"Offensively, we hit a lot of homeruns, but we need to find different ways to score runs," Pawlowski said. "I like the experience we have coming back we have a lot of guys, offensively, who have been through the league, and offensively I am encouraged and excited."
As the start of the season nears, the players feel the same excitement as their coach.
"It's an exciting time and we will get better as the season goes on," Pawlowski said.
Fletcher said the team is ready to make a statement in the SEC.
While excited for SEC play, Morris said he is looking forward to out-of-conference games as well.
"The Arizona State trip should be a lot of fun," Morris said. "It's something different, getting out of the SEC, and getting into that West Coast baseball. I have some friends that play out there."
The Tigers open up in Plainsman Park against Southeast Missouri State Feb. 19.
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