So far, he has taken Rivera's words to heart, throwing nine innings of one-run ball over three spring starts.

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First-year coach Scott Shafer, a quarterback in his playing days, is splitting the reps in spring ball between Loeb, John Kinder and Terrel Hunt, a 6-3, 215-pound junior who has played in only one game for the Orange.

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He did play winter ball until a week before spring training.

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Every other ball, luncheon, race and event comprising the 50-day Spring Racing Carnival radiates outwards from that moment.

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