Former UC Bearcats standout Ian Happ - the lead-off hitter for the Chicago Cubs - hit seven home runs in 53 Spring Training at-bats. And he had homered, doubled, singled and walked in six plate appearances against Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jose Urena.
So perhaps it should come as no surprise that Happ led off the Cubs-Marlins Opening Day game - and, in turn, the Major League Baseball season - with a lead-off home run off of Urena in Miami.
The 23-year-old Happ hit 24 home runs in 413 plate appearances as a rookie in 2017.
Happ and eight others from local high schools and/or area colleges are on MLB Opening Day rosters.