A roomful of Hokies saw their first collegiate baseball action last year. There were 21 to be exact. Many of those same names -- and a few new ones -- will see time on the field in 2009.
Rather than creating limitations to his deep roster, head coach Pete Hughes airs on the side of flexibility.
"We've got to be versatile," he said. "The more versatile you are, the more depth it gives you. It gives you more moves late in the game."
Austin Wates is a symbol of Hughes' attitude. The sophomore has been lauded for his athleticism. Last year, Wates batted .324 in 53 games with 33 runs batted in to go along with a team-best six triples and 15 stolen bases.
He was inserted in the lineup as a third baseman, designated hitter and an outfielder. But the majority of his playing time in 2009 will be at second base -- due in part to the now-graduated Matt Hacker.
"I think he's settled in (there)," Hughes said. "He's athletic enough to play anywhere. But right now, that's where we'd like him to play."
Michael Seaborn's name will be penciled into the opening day lineup at third base. The redshirt sophomore from Atlanta has the most 2008 home runs of all returning Tech players, hitting eight.
To his left will be the redshirt senior Hohman at shortstop. He is making his return following a facial injury.
"I'm definitely ahead of schedule," Hohman said. "I just took it step-by-step over the summer and I'm ready to come back 100 percent now."
Hohman, a co-captain, was one of the more reliable and consistent infielders for the Hokies when he was in action.
In 27 games, he started 25 and maintained a .945 fielding percentage.
However, one area that isn't settled is first base. With Sean O'Brien departed, the position will be filled on a by-committee basis.
Four guys will occupy that slot: Buddy Sosnoskie, his other brother Anthony Sosnoskie, Marc Zecchino and true freshman Ronnie Shaban.
The team's stalwart at catcher last year, Anthony worked at first base in the intersquad scrimmages during the fall in order to get some rest from the strenuous work behind the plate.
"It'll definitely help, especially toward the latter part of the season," the elder Sosnoskie said. "Catching just wears it down when you play there five or six times a week. It'll be good to get over there once in a while."
Shaban, from Moseley, has made a great first impression with coaches.
"We really love his offensive abilities," Hughes said. "He's got a great competitive spirit. He doesn't care if he's in a high school game or an ACC game. I know right now he'll get locked in and try to beat his opponent. He doesn't get caught up in uniform-watching."
As a high school senior, Shaban hit .485 with nine home runs and a .939 slugging percentage. He also delivered from the mound, going 6-1 with a 1.10 earned run average.
Spelling Sosnoskie from his work at catcher will be junior college transfer Steve Domecus and sophomore Chris Kay.
Domecus, at 6'4" and 220 pounds, will also play in the outfield.
Kay started in the final 10 games of last season as a true freshman, when Sosnoskie went down with a broken cheekbone. He also got playing time, something that most don't see in their first year at the Division I level.
The same goes for the likes of Wates and backup shortstop Tony Balisteri.
And Hughes thinks this will benefit them when they start out this season.
"Last year, they were wondering what their niche was going to be. Now they're goal-oriented. When people are goal-oriented, they become successful."