After coming up just short from the college world series, the Florida Gators baseball team will open up this upcoming 2010 season ranked No. 7 by Baseball America, Antonya English reported.

This marks the first time ever since the 2006 season that the Gators have showed up in the Baseball America’s preseason rankings. The Gators will start off the season on Feb. 19th at McKethan Stadium against USF in a three-game series.

Last year was a good year for Florida, finishing 42-22 and also winning the SEC East for the first time since back in 2005.

They will return 20 letter winners, 10 of them who are pitchers, and 5 of them who had a ton of playing time last season. I am excited to see how this years team ends up.

(Antonya English/Gator Report contributed to this story.)