“I don’t think we have one,” the senior catcher and tri-captain said. “I’d say maybe that we’re a little young, but that could also help us and work in our favor. We’re a young team with a bunch of freshmen and guys that can play multiple positions.”

The Spartans (24-29 overall in 2008, 12-18 Big Ten) will travel to Clearwater, Fla., this week to open their season on Friday against Connecticut. MSU, which could take the field with as few as two seniors on Friday, will then face off against Seton Hall and Minnesota this weekend in St. Petersburg, Fla., with the hopes of starting head coach Jake Boss Jr.’s first year off on the right foot.

Senior right-hander Nolan Moody will take the mound for the Spartans on opening day, culminating a transition from the closer position. Moody had a 2-4 record last season and a 5.88 ERA in 25 appearances. Other than a few outings in summer ball, it will be the first time he has reverted to the starting rotation since high school.

“The only difference is the stamina thing,” Moody said. “A lot of times, when you come out of the bullpen, you can go on pure adrenaline while starting requires you to go longer. It’s something I got better at this summer and something I’ll have to work on as I continue to pitch.”

Without much of the power it had last year (20 of the 28 home runs hit last year were by players no longer on the team), the Spartans will look to junior Chris Roberts, who led the team last season with a .363 average and had 65 hits and 32 RBIs in 179 at-bats as a sophomore. Roberts also is changing positions, moving from his primary position in outfield last year to third base.

“I kind of came in as an infielder and got moved around a little bit,” he said. “I’ve played infield for the last couple years here and there just to keep up on the skills. I don’t mind it — I’m comfortable with it.”

The Spartans will play all of their February games in Florida and North Carolina before playing their first game in the Midwest at Bowling Green on March 17.

MSU will have its first game in the Lansing area on March 20, the first of three against Oakland at Oldsmobile Park, home of the Lansing Lugnuts. McLane Baseball Stadium, currently under construction, is scheduled to open April 3 against Northwestern.

MSU hasn’t had a winning season since 2004, something it hopes to change this year under Boss’ tenure, Roberts said.

With some experienced hitters graduating from last season, the Spartans will look to turn the tables on Connecticut (27-28 in 2008), Seton Hall (31-25) and Minnesota (20-35).

“We’re going to put the pressure on the other team — small ball, a lot of running, hit-and-runs,” he said. “Try to take the pressure of off us and put it on them.”