COUNTDOWN TO MAY MADNESS

NOTE: With the release of the first regional rankings for NCAA Division II baseball for 2005, D-II South Sports presents "Countdown To May Madness". Over the next several weeks, we'll break down the rankings in each region where teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports (i.e., Gulf South, Peach Belt, and SIAC) compete. So, without any further ado, let's go.

For a listing of the rankings in all eight regions nationwide, visit http://www.ncaasports.com.

Teams in conferences in covered by D-II South Sports are listed in BOLD type.

SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION

1. North Florida

2. USC Aiken

3. Kennesaw State

4. Francis Marion

5. GC&SU

6. Limestone

Erskine

8. USC Upstate

ANALYSIS: The Peach Belt Conference consistently ranks among the toughest conferences in all of NCAA Division II. And the PBC has met those expectations again this season, as six of the eight teams ranked in this week's poll are current PBC members.

UNF can clinch at least a share of the PBC title with at least one win over Augusta State. However, the Ospreys can win the title outright if they win two out of three games over the Jaguars this weekend.

As for the rest of the postseason hopefuls in the Peach Belt Conference, second ranked USC Aiken has the weekend off before traveling to Armstrong Atlantic State on May 6-7, and finishing the regular season at home against Lander May 11-12.

Meanwhile, third ranked Kennesaw State has a key regional game against Erskine on Friday before finishing PBC play against Lander on May 6-7, and AASU the following weekend. Fifth-ranked GC&SU wraps up PBC action at Columbus State in a three-game series that could decide if the Bobcats earn their first NCAA tournament berth since 2002, or if they end up sitting at home for the third straight year.

Finally, fourth ranked Francis Marion and eighth ranked USC Upstate have already completed their seasons, with the Patriots finishing PBC play at 17-12-1, while the Spartans finished conference play with a 14-16 record. While the other PBC teams are still finishing their seasons, all the FMU and USCU faithful can do now is wait and see if their respective teams will play deep into May, and possibly June.

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION

1. Delta State

2. Abilene Christian

3. Central Oklahoma

4. West Florida

5. North Alabama

6. Texas A&M-Kingsville

7. West Alabama

8. Incarnate Word

ANALYSIS: Defending national champion Delta State appears to be a lock for an NCAA tournament berth, regardless of what happens in the Gulf South Conference tournament. As for the trio of teams in the GSC East Division, West Florida, North Alabama, and West Alabama may have to at least reach the finals of the GSC tourney to have any consideration for postseason play.