Jan. 19, 2005

One year after setting a Colonial Athletic Association record for conference wins, the George Mason baseball team finds itself as one of the favorites to win the 2005 CAA Championship, according to league coaches.

The nine CAA coaches selected UNC Wilmington as the favorite to win the conference title as the Seahawks received 60 votes, including five first-place votes. The Seahawks won the 2004 CAA Tournament and performed well at their NCAA Regional. The Patriots received 57 votes and four first-place votes. Mason received an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament.

William & Mary received 48 votes, Delaware earned 45 and Virginia Commonwealth got 40 votes as they were ranked third through fifth, respectively. James Madison, Old Dominion, Towson and Hofstra were selected sixth through ninth, respectively.

The Seahawks return 20 letterman from last year's 40-23 squad that tied a school record for wins. They return eight pitchers, including their top two starters. The Patriots also return 20 lettermen from last year's 39-19 team. Spearheading the offense will be senior Chris Looze, who was second-team All-America (American Baseball Coaches Association). Senior pitcher Stacen Gant, a third-team ABCA All-American also returns.

The Patriots open the season on February 18 against Charleston Southern at the Charleston Southern Tournament.