SOMERSET, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson baseball team was picked seventh in this year's Northeast Conference Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll as announced on Friday afternoon. 

The Knights, who are set to begin their first season under the leadership of Interim Head Coach Justin McKay, are coming off of a difficult 10-win season, which saw the team battle through a number of key injuries.

In 2019, the Knights will feature a new-look roster, which consists of 19 newcomers (15 freshmen, four transfers) in addition to  16 returnees.

Back in the fold for the Burgundy and Blue, will be redshirt-senior Bobby Romano, who missed all but 15 games last season. Romano led the NEC with nine home runs and finished with a .289 batting average and 48 hits across his 45 games as the Knights' primary third baseman in 2017. 

Returning with Romano as one of the team's veteran leaders is senior catcher Evan McDonald who led the Knights with a .289 batting average, nine home runs, 30 RBI and 46 hits last season.

Coach McKay's Knights will look to return to the NEC Tournament for the first time since the 2016 season.

The Bryant Bulldogs, who finished tied atop the regular season NEC standings with Wagner last season earned the top spot in Friday's poll by taking home all six first-place votes. Defending NEC Champion, LIU Brooklyn was picked second, while the aforementioned Wagner Seahawks rounded out the top three spots.

The Knights open their 2019 season with a three-game series at Davidson, which begins on February 22 in Davidson, N.C.

NEC Baseball Preseason Coaches' Poll (unanimous)
1. Bryant (6)
2. LIU Brooklyn
3. Wagner
4. Mount St. Mary's
5. Sacred Heart
6. Central Connecticut
7. Fairleigh Dickinson