FLORENCE, S.C. – For the second year in a row, Francis Marion University has been tabbed to finish second in the battle for the Peach Belt Conference baseball title, according to the annual preseason poll by the conference’s coaches. The second-place selection equals last year’s selection as the highest ever for the Patriots since the PBC was formed.

Georgia College & State University grabbed seven of a possible 10 first-place votes to finish with 88 points, 11 points ahead of Francis Marion (77), which received two first-place votes. Columbus State University (76) was third, followed by USC Aiken (68), Armstrong Atlantic State University (61), USC Upstate (51), Lander University and UNC Pembroke (33), Augusta State University (30), North Georgia College & State University (28), and PBC newcomer Georgia Southwestern State University (10). Coaches were not allowed to rank their own teams in the preseason poll.

Seventh-year FMU head coach Art Inabinet welcomes back 18 of 26 lettermen from last year's 41-18 squad that finished second during the Peach Belt Conference regular season, earned the program’s third NCAA Division II tournament invitation in four years, and won the South Atlantic Regional to advance to the Division II College World Series. The Patriots ended the 2006 season ranked 6th nationally, while setting a school record for wins. Ten of the losses were to nationally ranked opponents, five of which were by one run.

This year’s Patriot squad is ranked 6th in the preseason 2007 Collegiate Baseball Magazine NCAA Division II Top 40 poll. Dating back to the 2005 season, the Patriots have appeared in 34 consecutive national polls.

Seven of 10 pitchers return from last year’s staff that registered the nation’s seventh-best ERA (2.96), and the program’s lowest since 1979. Returnees include junior right-hander Dylan Owen (12-3 record, 2.30 ERA), a first-team All-American in 2006; junior righty Dusty Floyd (6-0, 2.09); junior lefty Brandon White (6-1, 3.72); and junior lefty Michael Williams (1-5, 3 saves, 2.72).

Six of eight position starters also return: senior catcher Michael Ward (.296 average, 6 HRs, 41 RBIs), senior first baseman Andy Howes (.250, 2 HRs, 23 RBIs), senior outfielders Nick Stewart (.378, 6 HRs, 51 RBIs) and Derek Kennamer (.327, 33-39 SBs), junior outfielder Justin Greene (.351, 7 3Bs, 28 RBIs), and sophomore third baseman Taylor Norfleet (.322, 2 HRs, 53 RBIs), who was named the Peach Belt Freshman of the Year. Sophomore designated hitter Jared Barkdoll (.272, 1 HR, 30 RBIs), who spelled Ward behind the plate, also returns.

Seven transfers and four freshmen make up the newcomers on the 2007 roster. Fifteen of the 29 Patriot roster members are South Carolina natives.

The Patriots open their 2007 schedule on Feb. 3 with a home doubleheader against Belmont Abbey College. FMU was 23-7 at home last season and is 93-21-1 in its last 115 home games. Inabinet enters his seventh year at FMU with a 184-125-1 record at the helm of the Patriots.

The 2007 PBC Baseball Tournament will be played May 10-13 in Spartanburg.