MUST SEE GAMES--03/12-13/2005

NOTE: With basketball season over for most schools, baseball is already in full swing. For the remainder of the 2005 season, D-II South Sports will spotlight some of the key conference match-ups on the diamond. So, sit back and enjoy reading!

The Peach Belt Conference has the toughest baseball competition in all of NCAA Division II. With six teams (#7 Lander, #8 Kennesaw State, #12 North Florida, #21 UNC Pembroke, #25 Augusta State, and #28 Francis Marion) currently ranked in the Collegiate Baseball Top 30, and at least four other teams (Columbus State, GC&SU, USC Aiken, and USC Upstate) receiving votes, this season promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. Here's a look at some of the key series in the PBC this weekend.

Kennesaw State (14-6, 6-3) at North Florida (14-7, 2-4)

The Fighting Owls face the Ospreys in the last regular season series ever between the two schools as Peach Belt Conference members, as both schools will head to the Atlantic Sun Conference and the NCAA Division I level after this season. Ironically, KSU enters the three-game set tied with Lander for first place in the PBC, while UNF sits in sole possession of last place despite the lofty national ranking. The Ospreys recently went 6-1 in their own Kennel Club Classic, all against their future D-I foes, with the lone loss coming Friday against Ohio State.

UNC Pembroke (18-7, 5-4) at Francis Marion (15-6-1, 5-6-1)

The upstart Braves make the short trip down Interstate 95 to Florence, S.C. to face the Patriots in another battle of top 30 teams, as UNCP is ranked 21st, while FMU is ranked 28th. The Braves trail Kennesaw State and Lander by one full game heading into the series.

Augusta State (16-7-1, 4-4-1) at Armstrong Atlantic State (16-1, 0-0)

The Jaguars battle the Pirates in this battle of Georgia schools. Apparently, no one is paying attention to AASU and its fast start, as the Pirates are the only team in the PBC not to receive any votes in the Collegiate Baseball rankings. However, Head Coach Joe Roberts and his charges hope to send a message to the pollsters, as well as the rest of the conference this weekend.