Orono, Maine -- The America East Conference announced that four Black Bears were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team. The Black Bears were also selected fifth in the preseason poll.

The Black Bears led the conference with four selections to the preseason team, those being:
Shortstop - Chris Bear
Outfielder - Brody Rasmussen
Starting Pitcher - Gianni Gambardella
Relief Pitcher - Sebastian Holt

Rasmussen is coming off of a season in which he was named to the All-Conference First Team after he slashed .307/.366/.495 in his first season in the America East. He collected 32 RBIs, hit seven home runs, 13 doubles and two triples. He also collected six stolen bases.

Gambardella, who earned a spot on the All-Conference Second Team, his third selection to an All-Conference Team in as many years with the Black Bears. He had a 4.88 ERA in 62.2 innings pitched last season, striking out 51 batters with a 1.44 WHIP. He compiled a 5-4 record with a .278 batting average against.

Bear, who is coming off his first season as a Black Bear having slashed .271/.386/.388 with 33 runs scored and a team-leading 15 stolen bases. He collected 15 RBIs, three home runs, 11 doubles and a triple. On the defensive side of the ball, Bear made only two errors in 24 conference games at shortstop.

Holt, who is coming off of his first season being fully healthy for the Black Bears, had the second-lowest ERA on the team last season with a 2.93 in 30.2 innings pitched. He had a team-high seven saves, struck out 26 batters while only allowing 9 walks and a team-low 1.24 WHIP.

Maine was selected fifth in the preseason poll with 19 points, with the full poll being:
Pl. School Pts. (1st)
1. Binghamton 32 (3)
2. Bryant 30 (3)
3. NJIT 26
4. UAlbany 21 (1)
5. Maine 19
6. UMass Lowell 11
7. UMBC 8

-UMaine-