Mary Washington, Salisbury and York battled back and forth throughout the 2007 baseball season, and a similar battle could emerge during the 2008 Capital Athletic Conference campaign.

The Eagles (26-12-1) and Spartans (32-14) shared top honors during the regular season, each with 8-2 records, while Salisbury was fourth in the six-team conference with a 5-5 mark. York gained the top seed in the 2007 CAC playoffs, but was knocked out of the tournament in the semifinals by Mary Washington.

Salisbury (33-10), meanwhile, cruised through the winner's bracket of the conference tournament and topped UMW in the championship game for the Sea Gulls' second-straight playoff title and sixth in the last eight years.

SU and YCP went on to compete in the NCAA Division III regional tournament at Ferrum, Va., with the Spartans advancing to the Regional Championship Game.

The 2008 baseball season, which begins this weekend when Salisbury plays at Va. Wesleyan (2/9) and St. Mary's visits Hampden-Sydney (2/10), features two new team in the CAC baseball rotation -- Villa Julie and Wesley. Additionally, the coaches approved an expanded 18-game conference schedule (compared to 10 games in 2007) to include three games against each CAC opponent -- a single mid-week game at one site, then a Saturday twinbill at the other location.

Here is a brief look at each team heading into the 2008 CAC title chase:

Gallaudet outfielder Kevin Alley was one of just three freshman in the CAC to earn a berth on the 2007 all-star squad and figures to be a linchpin for the 2008 Bison. GU will be looking to improve on a 6-26 overall record under first-year coach Matt Lisle.

Mary Washington welcomes back the majority of its pitching staff following last year's 26-12 team that gained victories against eight NCAA Tournament-bound teams. All-CAC and all-region selection Chase Townsend heads a group that will need to contend with the loss of All-CAC picks Eric Fitzgerald, Brett Diamond, and Chris Anderson. Townsend leads a group of returning moundsmen that includes Wes Hayden and Seth Kaas.

Salisbury, the defending CAC champ and NCAA Tournament rep, boasted eight conference all-stars in 2007, half of which return for the 2008 campaign. Senior Ryan Benick was one of three SU hurlers to earn CAC post-season recognition last year and is expected to be the leader of 2007 CAC Coach of the Year Doug Fleetwood's pitching staff this season. Other returning first-team all-stars include senior third baseman Justin Armiger, sophomore first baseman Mike Celenza and second-team senior outfielder Mark Bostwick.

St. Mary's has nowhere to go but up in 2008 as the Seahawks work to better last year's mark of 17-20. Michael Broccolino was selected to the All-CAC Second Team for the second year in a row after leading St. Mary's with 10 doubles, two home runs, and a .311 batting average in 2007.

In 2007, Villa Julie finished tied for first first in the NorthEast Athletic Conference (NEAC), finishing second in the tournament and earning a bid to play in the NCAA Regional Tournament with a 29-16 record. This season's team returns all but one of their starting pitchers from last season, and only one starting position player to graduation. At first base, the Mustangs return first team All-NEAC Buddy Breidenbaugh, an anchor to the offense and defense. Anchoring the pitching staff this season will be junior Wade Keenan, who was named All South as a pitcher last season and looks to solidify his position as one of the best pitchers in DIII.

Wesley enters its first CAC season with talent, with regulars and the top two starters from last season's record-setting 30-win team that advanced to the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship game and the ECAC playoffs. Kevin Ellis finished fifth in the nation in stolen bases. The team also finished 24th in batting and 33rd in earned run average. Five players who were named All-PAC in 2007 are back in the lineup this season include catcher Dan Bunnion, infielder Scott Marshall, outfielder Stu Madden along with pitchers John Passwaters and Ryan Buckland.

Expectations are very high for York, which return five All-CAC performers to this year's lineup, including 2007 Rookie-of-the-Year pitcher Jason Christenberry. Catcher Mike Santoro, left fielder Mike Connolly and center fielder Ryan Poff are the position players who earned All-CAC accolades last year. First baseman Anthony Anzalone, second baseman Ryan Craig and right fielder Dennis Maxim are the other starters who return for the defending regular-season co-champs. First-team CAC all-star Tim Frisch returns to the mound and will play shortstop this year when not pitching.