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outfield spots. Expect to see LaPrise at second base or one of the outfield spots. First-year Pavin Smith, drafted in the 32nd round by the Colorado Rockies last summer, was a fixture at first base for most of fall camp and appears to be the odds-on favorite to take over for Papi at that position. Smith has the ability to drive the baseball and will need to help fill the power role vacated by Papi's departure. Despite the production losses and the need to in- tegrate new players into the team. Towns thinks the Cavaliers' offense might surprise some folks this year. "I think we have the chance to be a great offensive club," he said. "We lost a lot of talent, but I think last year we underachieved as an offense overall, and I think the coaches would agree. "It reminds of my sophomore year; we kind of flew under the radar and we ended up being an in- credible offensive team." Regardless of what happens offensively, the Hoos are loaded with some strong new arms and seven vet- erans from arguably one of the nation's top pitching staffs last season. The return of Kuhn, Collegiate Baseball's 2014 National Pitching Coach of the Year, is also big. Kuhn's pitching staffs have ranked among the top 20 teams nationally in ERA nine of the last 11 years. Since 2005, the Cavaliers own the lowest cumulative ERA in the nation at 3.04. Last year, UVa recorded a 2.23 ERA (No. 2 nationally) and limited their op- ponents to a .201 batting average. Preseason All-Americans Kirby and Waddell are locks to return to their starting roles from 2014. Sborz could possibly find his way into the long legacy of UVa closers this season to fill the role Howard (20 saves) owned last season. Whether or not all three remain in the weekend rotation, Kuhn has an embarrassment of riches to select from, and Waddell said that's a big advantage for the team. "It's huge, the coaches see it, the players see it as well," Waddell asserted. "It's huge to know that guys will go out there and give you a chance to win every day on the weekend and mid-week. We have an unbelievable pitching staff." The entire pitching staff has the benefit of expe- rienced hurlers and the leadership they bring to the team. "I think having the experience and the guys back CAVALIERS AT A GLANCE Head Coach: Brian O'Connor, 514-177-2 at UVa and overall (12th year) 2014 In Review: 53-16, 22-8 ACC (2nd Coastal); lost to Vanderbilt in the College World Series Finals Starters Returning: 4 Lettermen Returning: 14 RETURNING LEADERS Batting Average: John LaPrise (.348) Runs: Joe McCarthy (55) Home Runs: McCarthy (6) RBI: McCarthy (49) ERA: Nathan Kirby (2.06) Wins: Brandon Waddell (10) Third-year outfielder Joe McCarthy, a pre- season All-American, is UVa's top returning threat at the plate after batting .301 with six homers and 49 RBI last year. PHOTO COURTESY UVA