The fourth-year head coach for the Miami of Florida Hurricanes already has fielded it more often than a shortstop dives for grounders during a season.

The fourth-ranked Hurricanes were a swing away from winning last June's College World Series, only to see the trophy yanked away from them on a dramatic two-run homer by Louisiana State University's Warren Morris with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

This week's season-opening series against the University of Hawaii will be the first shot at redemption for Morris and Miami.

That 9-8 victory for LSU left many of Miami's players face down on the field, particularly sophomore relief pitcher Robbie Morrison, who was a consensus freshman and Collegiate Baseball first team All-America in 1996.

Morrison finished 4-2 with 14 saves and an earned run average of 1.68, but would trade in all those gaudy statistics for the homer that lost the CWS.

"About the time Robbie made that pitch, I was thinking where we would be ordering the championship rings from," Morris said. "He was the No. 9 batter, who hadn't hit a home run all year.

"I can't describe how I felt when it went over the fence. It was a traumatic loss for me and my team. Since last June, I've talked about it every day but one.

"For me personally, it's something that drives me even more to win it. But there aren't that many guys left from that team. We had 11 players sign professional contracts and will have 20 new players on this year's roster."

That may make it more difficult for the Hurricanes to make a return trip to Omaha, Neb. Since taking over the prestigious program in 1994, Morris has led the Hurricanes to three consecutive CWS appearances.

The Hurricanes placed fifth in 1994, third in 1995 and second in 1996. In all, Miami has been to Omaha 15 times, with two national titles.

To win a third this season, Morrison and senior left-hander J.D. Arteaga to be as effective on the hill as they were last year in leading Miami to a 50-14 record.

Arteaga was 12-1 with 96 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.83. The hard thrower could be making his fourth appearance at the CWS, and needs 10 wins to become the all-time winningest pitcher in Miami history.

"He is one of our two captains that we're counting on to help lead this young group," Morris said. "He could have signed a pro contract, but elected to come back and play his senior season.

"Our other captain (Ryan Grimmett) also was drafted, but decided to play one more year. We're lucky to have a couple of leaders like them. They've already been to Nebraska three times, so they know what it takes to get there."

Grimmett will lead off for the Hurricanes. The center fielder hit .306 last year with three homers, 34 RBIs and 27 stolen bases.

While finding a replacement in left may prove difficult, the new right fielder figures to be Jason Michaels of Okaloosa-Walton (Fla.) Junior College.

He was rated one of the top JC prospects in the country. Last year Michaels hit .421 with nine homers and 45 RBIs.

Things are a little more settled in the infield where sophomore Pat Burrell returns at third base. He not only was freshman of the year in 1996, but a consensus first-team All-America as well.

He hit an astonishing .484 with 23 homers and 64 RBIs. Burrell also had a slugging percentage of .948 and was voted the most outstanding player at last year's CWS.

"Pat may be the best hitter in college baseball," Morris said of Burrell, who set single-season Miami records in batting average, slugging percentage and total bases (182).

"What makes him even more special is his work ethic and the fact that he's such a good student. You couldn't ask for a better role model on the team."

Left-handed hitter Ric Saggese is at first base. He hit .339 last year with 14 homers and 51 RBIs. Another player, who will figure heavily in Miami's success, is senior catcher Kevin Nykoluk. He hit .306 last year in a backup role.

"We've practiced only three days," Morris said. "Like Hawaii, we're lucky to have good weather. We've had some very good practices. We're trying to put together those pieces of the puzzle.

"We're very excited about playing a good team like Hawaii, who should help us prepare for some teams later in the season. It will be my third time to play in Hawaii. While at Georgia Tech, we won the Easter Tournament in 1986.

"We're trying to make it a very good trip for our players. We're staying on the ocean and are planning to visit places like Pearl Harbor. The only thing the players are talking about are the big waves, so it should be a great experience all the way around."