The team won Dartmouth's first NCAA Regional tournament game since 1987 last season, beating Florida International University in an elimination game. Several team members said they hope to progress even further this year by advancing to the Super Regional round, the second level of tournament competition.
"The goals are limitless," catcher Chris O'Dowd '13 said. "The only ceilings we have this year are the ones in our house, so we definitely have high hopes. We definitely have a lot of confidence."
Shortstop and team co-captain Joe Sclafani '12 said some of the Big Green's confidence stems from its experience playing in the Regional round last season.
"We played Texas A&M [University], who was number 22 in the country probably one of the hottest teams at that point and we were four outs from upsetting them," he said. "We played [the University of] Miami pretty tough and we beat FIU, so we can play with anyone in the country. Playing in that Regional last year just proved to us that we could really win against these teams."
The Big Green will use a balanced attack this season, boasting strong offensive players and one of the top defenses in the League.
Players said the team's offensive capabilities rely on speed and the ability to reach base, as well as gap-to-gap power. The team's pitching will be an asset this upcoming season, pitcher Cole Sulser '12 said.
"I think that we are going to have a good pitching staff and a strong bullpen that will be able to carry us pretty deep into games," he said. "And I think that is going to contribute a large part to our success later in games."
Head coach Bob Whalen said he was pleased with the team's progress this off-season, adding that he expects positive results this season.
"We focus on fundamentals and just being able to play the game better than the other teams in the League," he said. "I like where we are right now." Whalen said it is important to stay grounded, although players are aware of the team's potential.
"Our expectations are to try and win an Ivy championship every year because you are not going to have an at-large bid out of the [League]," he said. "So to get to the NCAA tournament you have to win your league."
Sclafani echoed Whalen, saying the team is focused on winning the Rolfe Division and another League championship.
"The Ivy League is going to be super competitive this year, so it's going to be a fight," he said.
The team's success last season has translated to lofty preseason expectations. Baseball America projected Dartmouth to win the League championship in its annual collegiate preview.
"It's kind of like the driving force," Sulser said. "It's always good reinforcement to know that other people view you as a high competitor and as a possible winner for the League."
Baseball America also selected seven Big Green players for its preseason All-Ivy team, including Sclafani, who was selected as preseason League Player of the Year.
"It's a great honor to be recognized for your talents and what you've done in the past couple years," he said. "I've been fortunate to have some success, especially with the guys around me."
While Whalen and other team members said they appreciate such preseason recognition, they added that they do not regard it with much significance.
"In terms of the expectations of others, I really don't focus on it," Whalen said. "What we focus on is trying to make everyone on our team better every day so we can put them in a position to help us win games."
Dartmouth will enter the spring season having been unable to train outdoors since practice began on Feb. 1. The team has trained in Leverone Field House, making due with an unorthodox playing field.
Although players acknowledged that the Hanover climate places them at a slight disadvantage they are unable to practice fielding fly balls in Leverone, for example they said it is important not to use the weather as an excuse.
"The box score this weekend won't have an asterisk in it saying because we didn't practice outside we should get some kind of relief," O'Dowd said. "So bottom line is we got to go down there and win games."
Dartmouth plays UCF in a three-game series in Orlando, Fla this weekend, beginning Friday.
