There may be 13 new faces on the Georgia Southern baseball roster, but the goal remains the same – another Southern Conference title, and another trip to the big show.

The Eagles (47-17, 20-8 in 2009) went unbeaten in Greenville, S.C. in the 2009 SoCon Tournament to claim the championship and earn a trip to an NCAA Regional out in Fullerton, Calif., and the guys that are still around haven’t forgotten what Gonzaga and Utah did to them out there.

They can’t worry about that now. Right now, it’s back to square one.

“We’ve got enough guys who experienced that last year that I think they’ve got a better understanding of what it takes to get there,” said GSU coach Rodney Hennon about the NCAA Tournament. “Right now, it’s about getting better day to day, and I think this team understands that.”

The better part of the offseason has been spent putting the pieces together while the eight seniors on the roster have eased into their leadership roles throughout offseason leagues and winter scrimmages.

Friday against Tennessee Tech, it’s for real.

Offense

Georgia Southern ranked in the top 10 in the nation in runs scored per game in 2009, averaging 9.54.

At first glance, the Eagles said goodbye to a lot of pop from the 2009 lineup.

The most notable loss was catcher Griffin Benedict, who led the starters in batting average (.412), hits (91), home runs (14), RBIs (65), doubles (17) and slugging percentage (.679). He was also tied for the team lead in walks (34) and led the nation in getting plunked, having been hit by a staggering 24 pitches.

The top four batting averages – Benedict, outfielder Phillip Porter (.362), shortstop Brian Pierce (.362) and outfielder Ty Wright (.339) – were all seniors in 2009.

It may not matter.

Designated hitter/first baseman Kyle Blackburn – who started off slow but finished the season with 12 homers and 26 runs in just 96 at-bats – returns after winning the 2009 SoCon Tournament most valuable player award.

Blackburn will likely start off in the DH role but can move to first to get more offense into the lineup.

“It depends on what we want to do with our lineup,” said Hennon. “If we want to go more offensive, then we can put him out there at first base. Having Roman (Grimaldi) out there, you have a little more athleticism.”

Third baseman A.J. Wirnsberger belted 13 homers and hit .323 last season, and Grimaldi and Eric Phillips each spent time in the cleanup role a year ago.

Then, there’s the new guys.

The most notable improvement brought to the table by a handful of new outfielders is speed. Junior-college transfer Shawn Payne, who came in to the program as an infielder but has been in transition to the outfield, as well as true freshmen outfielders Arthur Owens and Al “Scooter” Williams, add a new dimension to what GSU can do out on the bases.

“We’ll be able to be more aggressive on the bases,” Hennon said. “We’ve got more guys that we’ll be able to put in the lineup that we’ll be able to turn loose. We were a little bit limited last year.”

Freshmen Bryce Dial and Victor Roache look to contribute early offensively.

“We’ve still got plenty of guys that are capable of hitting the ball out of the ball park,” said Hennon, “but I think the key for this team is finding ways to get on base and create opportunities where we can score.”

Defense

The fewest question marks out on the grass are in the infield. In Friday’s season opener, Wirnsberger looks to get the nod at third base, Phillips at short,former Statesboro Blue Devil Kevin Bowles at second and Grimaldi at first.

Randy Williams, who spelled Benedict behind the plate 17 times and appeared in 28 games a year ago, will take over full-time catching duties.

Payne, Owens and Roache will likely be the initial three in the outfield.

“A lot of our heavy losses were in the outfield,” said Hennon about the offseason, “and obviously we prepared for that. We went out and recruited, and it’s a good opportunity for a lot of those new guys early on. We’re not asking these guys to do too much right now. We’re giving them the chance to get out there, get their feet wet and get better day to day.”

Hennon feels Owens is also a good candidate for the leadoff role in the lineup.

Pitching

The biggest loss of all may have been ace righty Chris Mederos, who was drafted as a junior in the 25th round by the Oakland Athletics. In 16 starts, he finished a SoCon-best 11-1, struck out 113 batters, allowed just five homers and a .272 batting average. He finished the season with a 3.83 ERA.

Fortunately, two GSU veterans have claimed the top two spots of the rotation. Matt Murray (6-3, 4.76 ERA, 60 K), a preseason 2nd-team, All-Southern Conference selection, will likely open the season, followed by Jake Brown (6-3, 4.50 ERA, 65 K).

Colin Snow will be in the rotation, as well as Trent Franzago, who spent last season recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery, and true freshman Chris Beck, a 6-foot, 200-pound freshman from Jefferson County.

“The good thing is we have five games right out of the gate with quality opponents – Tennessee Tech and Georgia Tech,” said Hennon. “We’re going to have five guys who are going to have an opportunity to start right off the bat.”

Andy Moye joins senior lefty Dexter Bobo in the closer role, and Charles Matthews and junior-college transfer Tom Garner, a side-armer, will look to help out of the bullpen.

First pitch of the season is Friday to open a three-game series with Tennessee Tech at 7 p.m. at J.I. Clements Stadium.

Matt Yogus can be reached at (912) 489-9408.