Feb. 17, 2009

Cambridge, Mass. - Stony Brook University's baseball team was picked to finish second in the America East conference in the preseason coaches poll released Tuesday. The defending America East tournament champions, Stony Brook received 33 points and three first-place votes. Binghamton was selected to finish first as it received 34 points and four first-place votes.

Maine (24 points), Vermont (22) and Albany (12) followed the Bearcats and Seawolves, while Hartford and UMBC each finished with 11 points to round out the seven-team poll. The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship, held at the highest seed that has a field with lights, on May 21-23. The winner of the double-elimination tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

Stony Brook returns all nine of its position starters from last season's NCAA Tournament team including senior Brian Witkowski (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), a 2008 All-America East first team selection. The Seawolves recorded 34 wins in 2008, the program's most victories since 2001. The Seawolves open up their 2009 regular season on Feb. 27, traveling to take on Florida Atlantic. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.

2009 Preseason Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Total
1. Binghamton (4) 34
2. Stony Brook (3) 33
3. Maine 24
4. Vermont 22
5. Albany 12
6t. Hartford 11
6t. UMBC 11