Georgia is ranked No. 5 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association 2009 Preseason Poll, announced Tuesday. North Carolina is ranked No. 1 followed by LSU, Rice, Texas A&M and Georgia to round out the top five.

The poll voters come from 32 college baseball writers and related media persons from throughout the nation. After a preseason Top 35 listing, the remainder of the polls will feature a national Top 30.

Georgia returns six starting position players in 2009 including Bryce Massanari (.325, 11 HR, 65 RBI), Matt Cerione (.303, 7 HR, 33 RBI), Michael Demperio (.238, 2 HR, 16 RBI), Joey Lewis (.264, 6 HR, 38 RBI), Rich Poythress (.374, 15 HR, 75 RBI) and Lyle Allen (.274, 2 HR, 30 RBI). Pitchers Trevor Holder (8-4, 4.41 ERA), Alex McRee (7-1, 3.98 ERA), Will Harvil (2-1, 4.88 ERA) and Dean Weaver (6-1, 4.24 ERA) also return.

Overall, the Bulldogs return 18 lettermen off the 2008 SEC Championship squad that posted a 45-25-1 record and a consensus number two final ranking in the national polls. Georgia has advanced to the College World series three times in the past five years.

The Bulldogs open the 2009 season Feb. 20 against Youngstown State at Foley Field.

- Georgia Sports Communications