COLLEGE STATION -- The defending Big 12 Champion Texas A&M baseball team will open fall workouts on Monday afternoon at Olsen Field. All practices are open to the public.

"Everyone on this team is excited to get back on the field and continue our hard work in preparation for the 2008 season," third-year head coach Rob Childress said. "While we had a good season last year, we have even higher goals, and I am confident that these players and this staff will put in the effort necessary to help make those a reality."

The Aggies return 17 letterwinners, six position starters and two starting pitchers from a 2007 squad that went 48-19 and claimed the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City and the NCAA College Station Regional crown.

"As all programs do, we took some hits from the draft and through graduation," Childress said. "But we have a great core returning and a talented class joining them. It should be a very intense and competitive few weeks of fall ball."

Workouts will conclude with the annual Fall World Series, which begins on Friday, Oct. 12.

Texas A&M opens the 2008 season on Friday, February 22 when the Aggies host Northern Colorado at Olsen Field.