From our friends at GW Sports...
Colonials Return 25 Letterwinners for 2016 Season
The George Washington baseball team was picked to finish fifth in Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll, the league office announced on Thursday.
Saint Louis was picked in the top slot with seven first-place and 161 total votes. VCU (148/4) was tabbed second with Rhode Island (138/2), Richmond (132) and the Colonials (116) rounding out the top five.
GW returns 25 letterwinners and eight position starters from last season's team that posted 32 victories, the most since 1998 and the eighth-highest win total in program history.
The Colonials went 2-2 in last season's Atlantic 10 Championship before bowing out in the semifinals.
Among GW's returning players are 2015 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection Robbie Metz and 2015 NCAA saves leader Eddie Muhl, an A-10 All-Conference First Team honoree.
The Colonials return 12 pitchers from a staff that posted the fourth-lowest team ERA in program history (3.38) and the lowest mark since 1974. Additionally, all three of GW's weekend starting pitchers - seniors Bobby LeWarne and Jacob Williams, along with Metz - return for the 2016 campaign.
GW opens the season with a three-game series at the University of North Florida beginning on February 19.
2016 Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll:
1. Saint Louis - 161 (7)
2. VCU - 148 (4)
3. Rhode Island - 138 (2)
4. Richmond - 132
5. George Washington - 116
6. Davidson - 92
7. Saint Joseph's - 91
8. Fordham - 79
9. George Mason - 79
10. La Salle - 45
11. Dayton - 39
12. Massachusetts - 39
13. St. Bonaventure - 24
