PEMBROKE — The University of North Carolina at Pembroke baseball team has grown accustomed to early success on the diamond in recent years. After jumping out to a 4-2 mark this season, the Braves have won 25 games in February since 2007, a key point in building team confidence according to coach Paul O’Neil.

But when looking ahead to Peach Belt Conference play and the possibility of an NCAA Regionals’ berth in May, UNCP hasn't had as much luck. The Braves haven’t made the postseason since a Peach Belt tournament appearance in 1997.

“We have increased our win total each of the last four years,” O’Neil said. “It’s always important to get off to a good start and get some momentum going. Now let’s see if we can continue it.”

Collegiate Baseball Preseason All-American Ryan Kirkman returns as the Braves closer and will serve integral part of his team’s success down the stretch in conference play.

The 6-foot-1 senior from Liberty converted 11-of-14 save opportunities last season and already has a save to his credit in 2009 with a 4-2 win over Anderson Feb. 7.

“Ryan anchors the end of our pitching staff in the bullpen,” O’Neil said. “He handles pressure well and never gets rattled. We need that from him to win ballgames this season.”

O’Neil has high expectations for this year’s team as it looks to improve upon last season’s 33-23 record. He says the stellar play of seniors Kevin Dietrich and Edmund Locklear can take the Braves deep into May and possibly into an NCAA Regional.

“They are vital to our team success,” O’Neil said. “Diets (Dietrich) in centerfield and leading off our lineup is important, as is Edmund as our catcher. Both of these guys understand what it takes to win.”

Over the last four seasons, the Braves have eclipsed the 30-win plateau thanks to big bats like Jason Morales, UNCP’s all-time HR-leader who now plays in the minor leagues in the Kansas City Royals’ organization. The Braves launched a school-record 67 homeruns in 2008 and scored double digit run totals 12 different times.

O’Neil attributes his team’s knack for power to strength and conditioning coach Daniel Roose.

“Coach Roose does an amazing job with our players,” O’Neil said. “We have become a big, physical team that can square the ball up. We never try to hit homeruns, they just happen with the strength we have.”

UNCP’s top hitter, Keith Whitman, hit 14 long balls as a freshman and returns to this year’s lineup in the fifth spot in the order. The 6-foot-1, 250-pound sophomore has three homers in his team’s first six games this season to go along with five RBIs.

O’Neil has a difficult time describing Whitman’s natural ability at the plate. After routinely seeing him launch pitches past the warning track, O’Neil calls the sophomore one of the strongest players he has ever seen.

“I’ll call him country strong,” O’Neil said. “Keith is such a good hitter. He has tremendous power to all fields and is a really strong man.”

One of the Braves biggest question marks will be on the mound. Who will replace senior pitchers Justin Yow and Shawn Bumgarner who combined for 22 starts? Expect sophomores Tyler Wood and Josh Bagley to get the most innings early after combining for 11 of the Braves’ 33 wins last season.

Bagley, a 6-foot-3 right hander from South View High in Fayetteville, led the team with seven wins and a 3.38 earned-run-average.

It’s premature to select a starting rotation according to O’Neil. His choice to observe the pitching staff the first few weeks of the season and find out which pitchers will step up and be apart of the starting rotation gives players that much more incentive. He hopes to name the Braves’ ace later this month.

“We have parody within after staff,” O’Neil said. “No one has distanced themselves from others to be our go-to guy. I expect some guys to elevate themselves and break away from the pack.”

UNCP opens a four-game series with Millersville at Sammy Cox Field today at 3 p.m.