ANNVILLE, Pa. - Even with good amount of snow still on the ground the 2010 spring season is in full swing as the Albright Baseball team prepares for their newest campaign. A true sign of that was the release of the Commonwealth Conference Coaches Preseason Poll, which ranked the Lions sixth overall, as announced Tuesday morning.

Coming off an 18-18-1 record, 7-8 in the conference, and a trip to the Commonwealth Conference tournament from a year ago the Lions earned 20 points on the preseason poll.

Tabbed to win the conference this season is the Commonwealth's newest member Alvernia University (26-17) who earned 41 points and received four first place votes. A member of the Freedom Conference last spring the Crusaders won the conference tournament, and made a solid run in the NCAA Regional tournament.

In second was the Commonwealth Conference tournament champion Elizabethtown College (29-15) who received two first place votes and 37 points. Widener University (21-17-1) was tabbed to finish third this season and received one first place vote and 36 points.

Messiah College (14-22-1), who did not appear in last year's postseason tournament, was ranked fourth, with 26 points, followed by Lebanon Valley College (19-21-1) in fifth with 23 points. Closing out this year's preseason poll was Arcadia University (5-30) who earned 13 points.

This spring the red and white welcome back 18 veteran players after graduating just two from last season. Amongst their top returners will be senior right hander Casey Lawrence, who led the Lions pitching staff in 2009.

Last spring the Second Team All-Conference selection led the nation in walks allowed per nine inning games, with five total walks in 76 2/3 innings pitched. Lawrence also totaled 73 strikeouts last season, which was the third most in the Commonwealth Conference, and closed out the year with a team best 2.82 ERA.

He also tied the single-season record for most shutouts with two, and is now just 24 strikeouts away from tying the all-time career strikeout record at Albright.

At the plate the Lions will look to a variety of players this season to lead their offense including Mike Nolan, Justin Danser, and Matt Kozlowski. Three of the Lion's top five hitters from a year ago, Nolan, Danser, and Kozlowski combined for 94 hits, 16 doubles, four triples, two home runs, and 43 RBI's respectively.

The Lions are scheduled to begin their 2010 campaign on March 2nd when they take on local opponent Penn-State Berks at 2:30 p.m.

2010 Commonwealth Conference Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Alvernia                  41 pts (4)
2. Elizabethtown       37 pts (2)
3. Widener                 36 pts (1)
4. Messiah                 26 pts
5. Lebanon Valley     23 pts
6. Albright                 20 pts
7. Arcadia                  13 pts

( )-Denotes First Place Votes