Finally, it’s time for baseball.

That was the feeling ASU expressed during its media day on Tuesday afternoon — excited to put a tumultuous offseason in the rearview mirror and focus on a 2010 campaign it feels can be special.

Players were shocked in late November, when 15-year head coach Pat Murphy left the program as the possibility of major NCAA sanctions based on alleged infractions during his tenure, originally reported by The Arizona Republic, came to light.

But now, with a familiar face in Tim Esmay settled in as interim coach, the team says it feels a sense of calm anticipation as the season, which kicks off Feb. 19 at home against Northern Illinois, draws closer.

“We’re all chomping at the bit to get out and play baseball,” said Esmay, who spent the past five seasons as an assistant at ASU and played for the Sun Devils in 1986 and 1987. “What’s in place is a very special group of kids. The leadership on this team is tremendous, and the kids coming back … and the mix of kids we have [make for] a fun time around here.”

Senior captain Raoul Torrez said the team chemistry “is one of the strongest, by far” during his four years with the program, due in large part to its need to come together following the events of the offseason.

“There were times where we were left kind of in the dark as a team right after [Murphy] left,” Torrez said. “All we really could do was find strength in each other so that we could stay together.”

When the Sun Devils were able to begin baseball activities in the spring, they said the result was a closer unit taking the field.

“We’re like a family, and that’s a big thing when you’re with ASU,” said senior pitcher Josh Spence. “Esmay being a past player … we’re very fortunate to have him here at ASU.”

The “family” is excited about the possibility of a second-straight trip to Omaha for the College World Series and its fourth-consecutive Pac-10 Championship.

With many of the same pieces from last season’s postseason run in place — including seniors Spence and CWS hero Kole Calhoun — the team sees no reason why matching or even surpassing last season’s success can’t be accomplished.

Reach the reporter at nkosmide@asu.edu