MUST SEE GAMES--BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

NOTE: It may be late in the season, but the like the old saying, it's better late than never. Having said that, D-II South Sports will preview the key games and series for the remainder of the 2006 baseball and softball seasons. So, without further delay, let's proceed.

National rankings are courtesy of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper.

Click on the highlighted school name to listen to live audio, or view live stats.

TOP BASEBALL GAMES

#12 Columbus State (26-9, 8-4) at #9 USC Aiken (28-7, 8-4)

Saturday 1 p.m. EST (Doubleheader)

Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

The Pacers host the Cougars in a key Peach Belt Conference series this weekend. Both teams enter the set tied looking to break a tie for third place in the PBC standings, while also trying to stay among the top 15 teams in the Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division II national rankings.

Lander (23-11, 6-6) at UNC Pembroke (21-13, 7-5)--(L)

Saturday 1 p.m. EST (Doubleheader)

Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

The Braves play host to the Bearcats in a series that could decide who advances to the PBC tournament at Aiken, S.C. May 11-14. Keep in mind that only the top six teams will advance to the conference tournament, so this series is very important for both teams if they hope to advance to postseason play.

(L)--Live Stats only

TOP SOFTBALL GAMES

USC Upstate (33-10-1, 9-3) at Columbus State (25-10, 10-2)--Saturday 1 p.m. EST

The Lady Cougars take on the Spartans in hopes of keeping pace with first place Augusta State in the Peach Belt Conference standings. CSU split a twin bill with Georgia College & State University Wednesday, with the Lady Cougars winning the opener 2-1, and losing the nightcap 5-4.
On the other hand, Upstate swept a doubleheader from USC Aiken Thursday, winning both games 6-1 and 3-2.

Augusta State (23-6, 9-1) at Armstrong Atlantic State (28-15, 7-3)--Saturday 2 p.m. EST

The surprising Jaguars will look to stay on top in the PBC this weekend, as they pay a visit to Savannah to face the Lady Pirates. Augusta hasn't played since last Sunday, when they swept Queens 6-0 and 9-1, while AASU split a pair of games with USC Aiken, winning the first game 6-5, but losing the second game 8-4.