The North Carolina baseball squad will open the 2013 season as the No. 1 team in the country according to Perfect Game's Preseason Poll released Tuesday.
The Tar Heels return 22 letterwinners from a year ago, including preseason All-Americas 3B Colin Moran and SP Kent Emanuel.
Carolina welcomes back its entire starting rotation from a year ago with Emanuel leading the way after an 8-4 campaign in 2012. Sophomore right-hander Benton Moss and junior left-hander Hobbs Johnson return as well as the Rocky Mount, N.C. duo posted ERAs of 1.94 and 1.56, respectively.
The Tar Heels were one of four ACC teams in the initial poll and were followed by NC State (9), Georgia Tech (12) and Florida State (17). Clemson, Miami and Virginia were among the ten to watch.
The 2013 season gets underway on Friday, Feb. 15 when Seton Hall visits Boshamer Stadium for a three-game set beginning at 3 p.m.
