The Gainesville High baseball team is the fifth-ranked team in Class AAA, according to the Prepcountry.com Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll, released Friday.

The Red Elephants, who finished with a 28-5 record in 2010, were the champions of Region 7-AAA last season and made it to the quarterfinals of the state tournament before being swept by Thomson. Gainesville faces Habersham Central in its season opener at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday at Ivey-Watson.

In Class AA, Buford is ranked No. 8 after going 20-9 in 2010 and making it to the second round of state. The Wolves, who placed third in Region 6-AA a year ago, open their 2011 campaign against Forsyth Central at 4 p.m. Monday in Cumming.

PrepCountry.com Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll
for the 2011 Season.
Class A

1. Wesleyan
2. Calvary Day
3. Aquinas
4. Hebron Christian Academy
5. Brookstone
6. Walker
7. Eagles Lndg Christian Acad
8. Holy Innocents
9. Providence Christian
10. Bremen

Class AA

1. Calhoun
2. Cook
3. Lovett
4. Blessed Trinity
5. Pike County
6. Jeff Davis
7. Toombs County
8. Buford
9. Appling County
10. Hart County

Class AAA

1. Columbus
2. Cartersville
3. Ringgold
4. Oconee County
5. Gainesville
6. Carrollton
7. Spalding
8. Thomson
9. Troup
10. Ridgeland

Class AAAA

1. Marist
2. Pope
3. Wayne County
4. Loganville
5. Redan
6. Northgate
7. Whitewater
8. Winder-Barrow
9. Lee County
10. Kell

Class AAAAA

1. Parkview
2. Harrison
3. Mill Creek
4. Collins Hill
5. Luella
6. Milton
7. Brookwood
8. Lassiter
9. Alpharetta
10. Hillgrove