KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona sophomore pitcher/outfielder Brian Anderson slides into third base last week in intersquad action.

If the baseball team is looking for a new slogan for the 2002 season, it might as well go with this one: A new look.

With a new coaching staff and 11 new freshmen, that is exactly what the team will have.

The 55-game schedule - which kicks off Friday against New Mexico - features seven new opponents: Southern Utah, San Diego St., UC Irvine, CSU Dominguez Hills, UNC Wilmington, Grand Canyon and UC Riverside.

The season gets underway on Friday against New Mexico.

While the head coach Andy Lopez's lineup might not be set for another couple weeks until he gets a better feel of his players, here are a list of the probable starters at each position for the time being.

Catcher - Chris Cunningham

This is one of three positions that are still undecided before the season starts, but Cunningham seems to have the edge behind the plate, said Lopez.

Cunningham, who did not see much action last year competing with the graduated Jeff Casper and now junior Ken Riley, will once again compete for playing time with Riley. Casper is now a volunteer coach.

Cunningham graduates at the end of the season and plans to attend law school at UCLA or Loyola Marymount with the goal of becoming a sports agent.

"My dad was a lawyer, which is pretty prestigious," Cunningham said. "I'd love to do it and hopefully get involved in baseball."

First base - Will Thompson

Replacing Ernie Durazo is not an easy job, especially if you are a freshman.

That job will go to Will Thompson, who will replace him at first base this season.

Thompson, who will bat near the top of the lineup, is the only left-handed infielder on the team.

"I just want to come here and make an impact," he said.

Baseball was not his top priority early in his career because he skied competitively in Missoula, Mont.

In an average week, he spent two days traveling, two days competing, and two days practicing. As he grew older, school and baseball took up more of his time.

"I thought I had a better shot in baseball, so I'm here to take it seriously," Thompson said.

Second base- Moises Duran

Duran started 19 games last season and was a spark plug off the bench.

With Matt Abram gone, the job will be his.

The sophomore adds a solid glove and will bat seventh or eighth in the order. He is not a power hitter but did hit his first career home run last year against California.

When he bats he stands straight with his knees slightly bent with his bat about eight inches from his belt and his elbows tucked to his hips.

"With the stance, it lets me see the ball longer and helps me feel more relaxed," he said.

Shortstop- Brad Hassey

Hassey was last year's everyday shortstop and is a scrappy player who will bat leadoff.

A line-drive hitter, Hassey is intelligent on the base paths with good speed, which makes him the team's top threat to steal bases. He stole home last week during an intersquad game.

The senior lives with right fielder Clayton Bried in a house that has become the main hangout for the team.

"There are sometimes fights about who cleans up what," Hassey said jokingly. "But we all put that aside during everyday practice."

Third Base- Marc Kaiser

When Kaiser is not pitching he will play third base.

As the team's likely third pitcher in the starting rotation, the sophomore will pitch on Sundays.

It's not certain how many starts he'll get at third, but he will also spend some time in left field and as the designated hitter because Lopez wants to utilize his bat.

In 2000, Kaiser was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and decided to come to UA instead of heading straight to professional baseball. He was the highest drafted high school player not to head to the Big Leagues.

Kaiser also played football in high school and wants to try out next season as a kicker.

"I miss football. I want to walk on so later I'll be sure to talk to the (football) coaches," he said.

Left field- Justyn St. Clair

St. Clair started 44 games in left field last year, but this season might see some action at third.

He will have to battle other outfielders like freshmen Jeff Van Houten and Chris Marini for playing time.

Most likely, the senior will hit in front or behind Duran in the bottom of the lineup.

"I want to get on base, hit line drives and execute," he said.

St. Clair is not only busy with baseball.

He is taking 16 units and majoring in communications with a business minor.

"I'd like to get into sales and marketing and somehow stay in baseball (after college)," he said.

Center fielder and closer- Brian Anderson

As a freshman, Anderson started his Wildcat career on a tear.

In his first two starts, he went 8-for-10 and went on to hit .370, the third-highest batting average for a freshman.

Now Anderson will have to anchor the outfield with his speed that enables him to cut off the deep power alleys.

This year Anderson will replace Shelley Duncan in the third position in the batting order.

At Canyon del Oro High School, Anderson was a starting pitcher but came to Arizona as an outfielder. He closed a few games last year, including an important series against Arizona State at the end of the season.

"I like having the ball at the end of the game," he said.

Right Fielder- Clayton Bried

Brieds speed is his best weapon, and he will cover a lot of ground in the outfield alongside Anderson.

He will take over a position that has been held for the past three years by Duncan, the school's all-time homerun leader.

Unlike Duncan, Bried will bat ninth in the lineup because of his speed.

A former draft pick of the Seattle Mariners, Bried came to Arizona after two seasons at Central Arizona Junior College.

He only appeared in 23 games last year, making three starts in the outfield.

Staff - Sean Rierson

Rierson enters his second season as the staff ace, which means he will be matched up each week against the opponent's top pitcher.

The sophomore uses four pitches, with a fastball that tops out at 89 mph and a curveball that dips down to 78.

His repertoire also boasts a changeup and a slider that he fashioned last year to overcome his problems with left-handed hitters.

"(The slider) gives the batter a different look and something they'll have to think about in the back of their mind," he said.

Rierson and his dad have a close relationship. The two both enjoy building six-foot remote-controlled boats. Once the boats are done, they take a trip to Lake Powell to race them.

"I just like spending time with him," Rierson said.