NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Atlantic 10 Conference announced its baseball preseason ranking for the league and picked the University of Dayton to finish 12th this season.

The Flyers received 37 points, finishing just behind Massachusetts (40 votes) and ahead of La Salle (30 votes).

Rhode Island was the Atlantic 10 preseason favorite with seven first-place votes, beating out VCU who received five first-place votes. Saint Joseph's, Saint Louis, Richmond and Fordham follow in 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th respectively, followed by Davidson, George Washington, St. Bonaventure and George Mason.

Dayton is coming off a 19-36 season, and an 8-16 record in the Atlantic 10.

The 2016 season will open on Feb. 17 when the Flyers take on Furman University in Greenville, S.C. The first Atlantic 10 game for the Flyers will be on March 24th when Dayton hosts Richmond.

2017 Preseason Poll
1.    Rhode Island (6)    156
2.    VCU (5)    155
3.    Saint Joseph's (2)    138
     Saint Louis    138
5.    Richmond    114
6.    Fordham    96
7.    Davidson    95
8.    George Washington    75
9.    St. Bonaventure    63
10.    George Mason    46
11.    Massachusetts    40
12.    Dayton    37
13.    La Salle    30