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Let the Exhibition Begin!

The day: February 27, 2007. The place: Roger Dean Stadium. The game: Florida Marlins vs The University of Miami. The game that finally kicks off the exhibition season of baseball. Let hardball begin! The Marlins finally get back on the field to start their run to the 2007 playoffs. Joe Capozzi divulges in his Palm Beach Post column the pitching setup for the UM game and following games this week. Right-hander Chris Volstad, Florida’s first-round draft pick in 2005, will start the Marlins’ first exhibition game Tuesday at Roger Dean Stadium against the University of Miami. The game, starting at 3:05 p.m., and will feature Florida’s regular starting lineup.

Volstad, a 2005 graduate of Palm Beach Gardens High, will throw two innings and be followed by three other pitchers selected in the first round of the ‘05 draft: right-hander Jacob Marceaux, right-hander Ryan Tucker and left-hander Aaron Thomson. They’ll each throw one inning along with right-handers Gaby Hernandez, Paul Mildren, Henry Owens and Matt Lindstrom.

Left-hander Scott Olsen will start Wednesdays Grapefruit League opener against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Marlins will throw relief pitchers Thursday against the Orioles in Jupiter.

Here is the projected lineup for today’s UM game:

Hanley Ramirez (SS)
Dan Uggla (2B)
Miguel Cabrera (DH)
Josh Willingham (LF)
Mike Jacobs (1B)
Aaron Boone (3B)
Jeremy Hermida (RF)
Miguel Olivo (C)
Reggie Abercrombie (CF)

I’m hoping to get up to Jupiter for the Saturday game at Roger Dean against the Cardinals. I’m so pumped for baseball season and the Marlins look excited to get it going and start off strong this year. Anyone else planning on attending any games for Spring Training?