Jan. 29, 2010

Defending champion Virginia has been made the favorite in the ACC Preseason Poll in voting by the league’s head coaches and released by the conference office.

After making their first trip to the College World Series in 2009, the Cavaliers return All-American outfielder Jarrett Parker, 2009 ACC Freshman of the Year Danny Hultzen (right) and 2009 ACC Championship MVP Dan Grovatt. Virginia was picked as ACC champ on eight ballots. Florida State received three votes and North Carolina earned one.

Virginia received 11 voted to win the Coastal Division, while defending division champ North Carolina got the other first-place vote. Florida State was picked to capture its fourth straight Atlantic Division title on 10 ballots, while two voted for Clemson.

Virginia, which won a school-record 49 games a season ago, was joined in Omaha by North Carolina, making its fourth-straight trip to the College World Series. Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech and Miami also participated in the 2009 NCAA Tournament, with Clemson and Florida State reaching a Super Regional.

2010 Predicted Order of Finish

(2009 ACC/overall records, points, first-place votes)

Atlantic Division

1 Florida State (19-9, 45-18) 70 (10)

2 Clemson (19-11, 44-22) 62 (2)

3 Boston College (13-15, 34-26) 42

4 NC State (10-20, 25-31) 38

5 Wake Forest (6-24, 22-30) 21

6 Maryland (10-20, 27-27) 19

Coastal Division

1 Virginia (16-11-1, 49-15-1) 71 (11)

2 Georgia Tech (17-10-1, 38-19-1) 57

3 North Carolina (19-10, 48-18) 44 (1)

4 Miami (18-12, 38-22) 42

5 Virginia Tech (12-17, 32-21) 20

6 Duke (15-15, 35-24) 18

Overall champion: Virginia (8)

Others receiving votes: Florida State (3), North Carolina (1)

(photos by Jimmy Jones)