The Canaan Eagles will look nearly identical to the team that took the field at the beginning of last year. After losing only one senior to graduation, the Eagles will return eight starters from a team that made it to the semi-finals in 2007, where they lost a heartbreaker to the Blue Mountain Bucks. In his fourth season, manager Jesse Carney is building a team that will not only be effective in the regular season, but be primed to make a run deep into the playoffs.

Scoring runs should not be the issue this year for the Eagles, as this team proved that it can score quick and score often. The only hole in the batting order is at the top, but that problem is overshadowed by the heart of the Eagles lineup. Catcher Connor Daley is a serious concern for opposing pitchers, as he hits the ball hard nearly every at-bat. With great table-setters such as speedster Jason Charest and Zack Daley, there should be "ducks on the pond" constantly. This will provide RBI opportunities for the middle and the bottom on the lineup, where the solid bats of Jake Smith and Jeremy Schichtle wait. Top to bottom, the batting order combines a nice blend of speed and power that should be causing defenses headaches all year.

Defense could be the Achilles' heel for the Eagles this year. Nearly every member of the infield is returning, anchored by Connor Daley behind the plate. The left side of the infield is being held down by shortstop Zack Daley and third baseman Jake Smith. Second base is currently open, but first base will likely be covered by Patrick Brady. This infield is experienced and has played together for three years. Two of the three outfield positions remain up in the air. Jason Charest will likely have to make the transition from left to centerfield, but the corner spots are up for grabs. Manny Urrego, Alan Leigh, and Donny Lienau, to name just a few, are viable candidates and all will likely see time at some point this season.

The pitching rotation received a huge upgrade last year with the addition of Jeremy Schichtle, who will enter the season as the unquestioned #1 starter. With his hard heater and tight slider, Schichtle dominated nearly every team he faced. The rest of the rotation will include Connor and Zack Daley. Connor has nasty stuff, but has struggled with elbow problems, limiting the amount he is available to throw. Zack can be effective when mixing speeds, but needs to work on his control to avoid high pitch counts. Lefty freshman Alan Leigh logged a few innings last year, and may get a chance to see some time on the rubber again this season.

The Eagles are no doubt one of, if not the most experienced team in Division IV with nine seniors on the roster. The expectations are high, and the Eagles are hungry to go further than last year. After coming so close to a finals appearance last June, the Eagles have their sights locked on Centennial Field.