Set to return eight of its starting position players from last year’s squad, the Binghamton baseball team has been selected to finish third in this year’s America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll.

The Bearcats received 18 total points in the poll, including one first-place vote, landing them behind Stony Brook (23 points) and Maine (19 points). Albany (13), Hartford (12) and UMBC (5) rounded out the poll.

After third-place finishes in both the regular season standings and the conference championship last year, Binghamton is expected to return three starting pitchers to this year’s team in addition to the eight starting positional players.

Highlighting Binghamton’s list of returners are junior corner infielder Brian Ruby, a 2012 America East All-Rookie Team selection, and junior infielder Daniel Nevares, a 2012 All-Conference Second Team selection. The duo combined to make up Binghamton’s top two hitters last season, with Ruby leading the team with a .371 average and Nevares posting a .343 clip.

Head coach Tim Sinicki will look to replace No. 1 starter Mike Augliera and relief pitcher Lee Sosa, who were selected in the MLB draft at the end of last season. Former first baseman Dave Ciocchi, who ranks among the program’s top-five in several all-time categories, also played his last season for the Bearcats in 2012.

After construction forced the Bearcats to play all of their games on the road last season, Binghamton is set to open play at the new Varsity Field on March 23 against Stony Brook. Prior to that, the Bearcats are scheduled to open the 2013 season on Feb. 22 at James Madison.