Ah, winter. There is nothing like the University of Dayton in late February. Streets are littered with the remnants of a week-old snowfall. Ice patches resemble land mines as students trudge, slip, and slide from their homes to campus. Until the white death and the lethal wind fades away for the spring, this campus comes to a relative standstill.

Someone forgot to tell Dayton baseball players Marshall MacDonald and Aaron Dunsmore. The two Flyers, hailing from Alberta, Canada, have been out in the tundra with the rest of the 2009 squad preparing for what is to be a season of high expectations. Following a 2008 campaign that included 31 victories, the Flyers are hoping to capitalize on a wealth of experience and talent that could take them to the top of the Atlantic 10.

Senior first baseman MacDonald and junior outfielder Dunsmore know what it's like preparing for spring seasons together. The two friends grew up in Alberta and played against each other in regional all-star games. On his recruiting trip to Colby Community Collge in 2006, Dunsmore met MacDonald, whom had decided on becoming a Colby Trojan one year earlier.

The two instantly became close during the Trojans' 2007 season.

"It was awesome playing together in community college," Dunsmore said. "We got to play with a couple other guys we grew up with. It is really cool to see the lineup and have four names next to each other that have known one another forever."

Fast forward two years. In 2008, MacDonald led the Flyers with 42 RBIs and hit .306. Following an outstanding season as a Colby Trojan, Dunsmore became the recruiting focus of both MacDonald and his new home, the University of Dayton. Thanks to MacDonald's efforts, Dunsmore found his new home as a Flyer. "I thought it was awesome," MacDonald said. "I actually arranged a lot of (the recruitment). They heard from me how good he was. They tracked down their sources, saw him play, and wanted him to come here."

Dunsmore, who hit .433 in 50 games his sophomore year as a Trojan, knew Dayton was going to be the right fit. After a couple recruiting trips, he knew he wanted to be a Flyer, thanks in no small part to MacDonald.

Both MacDonald and Dunsmore were named to the Canadian Baseball Network's All-Canadian teams for their performances at their respective schools last spring. Chosen from over 700 Canadian-born collegiate players, the two friends hope to continue their successful careers with one last collegiate season together.

MacDonald and Dunsmore are once again teammates as Flyers, adding a new element of chemistry to team that, according to these two, have plenty of it. As a transfer, Dunsmore feels right at home with his team.

"We all get along very well," Dunsmore said. "We spend evenings and weekends together, and it just seems that we have a very tight knit group. That will definitely pay off on the field."

In his final season, MacDonald understands what steps need to be taken to challenge for the A-10 title.

"Consistency is the most important," MacDonald said. "We were a really good team at times last year. But at other times, we just were a completely different club. If we stick to doing our jobs, we'll be a successful team. Anything less than an A-10 title is a disappointment."

Following a season-opening stint in High Point, N.C, the Flyers head to Phoenix for three nonconference showdowns. The two Canadians hope early matchups against Notre Dame, Creighton and Gonzaga will set the pace for the season. MacDonald knows that the Phoenix trip can do a lot for this Flyers team.

"Playing these teams early, it makes the road ahead a bit more manageable," MacDonald said. "We'll find out if we're for real out there. If not, we have to improve. But if we can be running on all cylinders out of the gate, that would be ideal."

If Dunsmore and MacDonald have it their way, the Flyers will be running on all cylinders, and 2009 will be a baseball season to remember.