Atlantic 10 baseball coaches have selected Saint Louis to finish fifth in the 2021 conference race, the league announced Thursday.

The Billikens received 114 points, including one first-place vote. VCU (151), the coaches' pick to win the conference title, along with Fordham (149) and Dayton (146) each received four first-place nods.

Davidson (117) was selected fourth with just three more points than Saint Louis.

Richmond (109) and Rhode Island (103) finished sixth and seventh, respectively, in the balloting. George Washington (74) was eighth, followed by Saint Joseph's (71), George Mason (46), La Salle (40), St. Bonaventure (32) and Massachusetts (31).

Saint Louis is returning seven of its eight position player starters, along with all three starting pitchers from a year ago. Overall, 25 players are back from last season, in addition to nine newcomers.

The Billikens will open their season with a four-game series at Kennesaw State, beginning Friday, Feb. 19.