Orono, ME - The University of Maine baseball program was selected second in the America East preseason poll following their first America East Championship since 2011 during the 2023 season. Maine received 31 points in the vote, including two first place votes.
Maine had one of the most balanced and dominate teams in recent years in the America East as they earned their second-straight Regular Season Title. In conference games, Maine led the America East in home runs (37), RBI's (181), Slugging %(.507), on base % (.410), ERAÂ (4.49), wins (19), fewest losses (5), fewest home runs allowed (14), lowest batting average against (.229) and they committed the second fewest errors (22) in the conference.
The 2023 Black Bears hit the most home runs in a single season in program history as they hit 87 home runs.
Maine returns a majority of their team from a season ago, including the America East Player of the Year, New England Player of the Year and Third Team All-American
Jeremiah Jenkins. Jenkins slashed .365/.492/.756 in 2023. He hit the second-most home runs in a single season for a Black Bear with 21.
Along with Jenkins, Maine returns three other All-Conference First Team Members in
Connor Goodman (DH),
Colin Fitzgerald (SP) and
Gianni Gambardella, who was named a Freshmen All-American.
Noah Lewis was named to the Second Team All-Conference in 2023 and
Luc Lavigueur was named to the All-Rookie Team.
Maine lost two key players at the top of their lineup in
Quinn McDaniel (MLB Draft, 5th Round - Pick 153) and
Jake Rainess (Transfer to Houston) but have solid replacements for the former First Team All-Conference duo in
Myles Sargent and
Jeph Hadson-Taylor in the middle of the infield.
Binghamton leads the poll with 35 points and five first place votes. UMBC came in third with 26 points and NJIT ranked fourth with 19 points. Bryant (18), UMass Lowell (10) and UAlbany (8) round out the preseason poll.
2024 Baseball Preseason Poll
| School |
Points (1st) |
| 1. Binghamton |
35 (5) |
| 2. Maine |
31 (2) |
| 3. UMBC |
26 |
| 4. NJIT |
19 |
| 5. Bryant |
18 |
| 6. UMass Lowell |
10 |
| 7. UAlbany |
8 |
-UMaine-
