WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford baseball team was picked to finish third in the America East Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll, the league announced on Wednesday. 
 
The Hawks earned 25 points in the poll and received one first-place vote, ranking behind reigning conference champion Stony Brook (30) and Binghamton (33). The Seawolves received two first-place votes, while the preseason favorite Bearcats garnered four.
 
Rounding out the poll was UAlbany with 22 points. The Great Danes were followed by UMass Lowell (18), Maine (13) and UMBC (6). 
 
Last season, Hartford posted the program's sixth-straight 20-plus win season (23-34) and wrapped up America East play with 11 wins. The Hawks then traveled to Binghamton for the conference tournament where they won three of the first four games, before falling to the Bearcats in the semifinals.
 
Head coach Justin Blood returns for his ninth season and brings back 23 players from last year's 23-win team. This group is highlighted by senior Zachary Ardito, who earned All-Conference first team honors last season and sophomores Devin Kellog and Will Nowak, who were both All-Rookie selections in 2019. The team also returns junior Nicholas Dombkowski, who in 2018 became the first pitcher in conference history to win both America East Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year honors in the same season.
 
The Hawks open their season on the road with a three-game series against Stetson on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.