The Terps, of course, welcome in 22 new players in a class that was ranked in the top 25 by Baseball America. Those newcomers are joined by 13 returnees, including shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez, utility Gary Schneider, first baseman Curtis Lazar and pitchers Sander Beck and Eric Potter, among others.

Clemson was picked as the overall champion, while Virginia was the popular selection to take the Coastal Division crown.

Although being picked to finish fourth isn't where head coach Erik Bakich ultimately wants the program to be, it is a step in the right direction considering the Terps were picked to finish last in 2010. A top-eight finish would land Maryland in the ACC Tournament, which for Bakich, the staff and his players, is the first of many goals for this season and beyond.

It will be no walk in the park to accomplish that. In one stretch from late March through mid April, Maryland will play four conference teams in a row that are ranked in the top 25: @ No. 15 Virginia, No. 12 Florida State, @ No. 10 Clemson and No. 24 Miami.

By that time Bakich will have had time to tinker with his lineup and see who fits where best, making for a very interesting stretch of baseball in the heart of the season.

Complete results of the 2011 ACC Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parenthesis):

Overall Champion: Clemson (7)
Also receiving votes: Florida State (3), Virginia (2)

ATLANTIC DIVISION
TEAM                      POINTS

Clemson (8)                     68
Florida St. (4)                    64
NC State                            46
Maryland                            27
Boston College                26
Wake Forest                     21

COASTAL DIVISION
TEAM                      POINTS

Virginia (9)                        69
Georgia Tech (2)             56
Miami (1)                           48
North Carolina                 40
Virginia Tech                    25
Duke                                  14