KINGSTON, R.I. - Rhode Island was picked to finish first in the Atlantic 10 in the conference coaches' poll, the league announced on Friday.
The Rams earned five first place votes; the most amongst the league's 12 schools. George Mason, who was picked to finish second in the poll, earned four first place votes. Saint Joseph's, Dayton, and VCU all each earned one first place vote.
Rhode Island is coming off of a historic 2025 campaign that included program records in games played (60) and wins (38). The Rams won the league crown in 2025 for the third time in program history joining the 2005 and 2016 squads. After sweeping the regular season and postseason titles, Rhode Island advanced to the 2025 NCAA Tournament as the No. 3 seed in the Baton Rouge Regional.
Head coach
Raphael Cerrato and the Rams begin the 2026 season this weekend with a four-game series at Jacksonville. Game one of the series is tonight, Friday, Feb. 13. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. The game is available on
ESPN+.
2026 Atlantic 10 Preseason Baseball Poll
1. Rhode Island – 136 (5)
2. George Mason – 122 (4)
3. Saint Joseph's – 98 (1)
Saint Louis – 98
5. Dayton – 83 (1)
Richmond – 83
7. Davidson -- 77
8. VCU – 71 (1)
9. George Washington -- 68
10. Fordham -- 56
11. St. Bonaventure -- 24
12. La Salle -- 20
Number in parenthesis is first place votes
