Feb. 8, 2011

Defending champion Stony Brook was the unanimous pick to win the America East title in the preseason poll, as voted by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

The Seawolves received five possible first-place votes for 25 points. Maine earned the final first-place vote and 18 points for second, followed by Binghamton, Albany, Hartford and UMBC.

Stony Brook finished third in the regular season in 2010, but captured the tourney title. Junior Nick Tropeano (left) will lead the Seawolves’ pitching staff. He led the conference with 106 strikeouts and was second with an ERA of 2.44. Sophomore William Carmona led the league with a batting average of .387 a season ago.

Maine led America East in ERA a season ago in returning to the conference tourney for the first time since 2007. Junior outfielder Taylor Lewis set a league record with 13 triples in 2010 and was successful in 21 of 22 stolen base attempts.

Binghamton won its fourth straight regular-season title in 2010. Senior outfielder Corey Taylor is the reigning America East Player of the Year as he led the league with 14 homers, 66 RBI and .679 slugging percentage.

The season begins on Friday, Feb. 18. The America East Championship, a four-team double-elimination tournament, will be played May 25-27 on the field of the top seed.

America East Preseason Poll

Team, Points (First Place) (2010 AEC, Overall Records)

1. Stony Brook, 25 (5) (15-9, 30-27)
2. Maine, 20 (1) (17-7, 34-22)
3. Binghamton, 15 (21-3, 31-20)
4. Albany, 13 (10-14, 13-40)
5. Hartford, 8 (5-19, 11-37)
6. UMBC, 6 (4-20, 9-39)
 

(photo courtesy of Stony Brook Media Relations Office)