SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Armstrong Atlantic State University baseball squad has been picked to finish fifth in a preseason poll of Peach Belt coaches for the 2012 season, released Friday by league officials.

The Pirates received one second-place vote and 77 points overall in the vote of the league's 12 coaches, with preseason No. 1-ranked Francis Marion earning the nod as the pick to win the league. The Patriots received 10 of 12 possible first-place votes and 119 points overall.

Columbus State picked up one first-place vote and 102 points total to be picked second, with Georgia College receiving one first-place vote and 95 points overall to be picked third. UNC Pembroke (91) comes in ahead of the Pirates in fourth, while North Georgia (76) is picked sixth, followed by USC Aiken (61) and Lander (52).

Augusta State (43) is picked ninth, followed by Flagler (27), Georgia Southwestern (25) and Montevallo (24) rounding out the teams.

Armstrong finished the 2011 season with a 35-17 overall record, advancing to the PBC Tournament semifinals. The Pirates return their four top hitters, including preseason All-PBC picks John Roberts and Drew Walker, along with two of its top starting pitchers for 2012.

Click here to view the complete 2012 Peach Belt Conference Preseason Poll.

Armstrong opens up the 2012 season on Friday, Feburary 3, hosting Winston-Salem State at 2:00 p.m. at Pirate Field.