D2SS: The Weekend

Another weekend of key conference spring sports match-ups is on tap for this weekend...But first...

There's a coaching change at Arkansas Tech University, as men's basketball head coach Mark Downey has stepped down to take over the reins at the University of Charleston (W. Va.). Downey led the Wonder Boys to their best season ever, going 30-2 overall, and losing to eventual South Region champion Valdosta State in the NCAA Division II tournament. Doug Karleskint is now the head coach at ATU. He was Downey's top assistant coach this past season.

In the Peach Belt Conference, Columbus State University also has a new men's basketball head coach. Robert Moore became that program's sixth head coach last week. He'll take over for Doug Branson, who left CSU after going 50-62 in four seasons at the Cougar helm.

The big match-ups

NOTE: Baseball rankings are courtesy of Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Softball rankings are courtesy of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).

All times are local to home team.

Baseball

Arkansas Tech (30-14, 10-4) at #15 Delta State (31-10-1, 11-3)--Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader) and Sunday 2 p.m. CDT

The Statesmen will put their 13-game winning streak on the line against the Wonder Boys, who have won five straight games going into this weekend.

North Alabama (22-19, 4-5) at West Alabama (21-15, 2-7)--Saturday 3 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader) and Sunday 1 p.m. CDT

The Tigers play host to the Lions in a Gulf South Conference East Division series with conference tournament implications.

#8 Francis Marion (33-9, 12-6) at #21 UNC Pembroke (28-11, 12-9)--Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader) and Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

The Patriots and Braves do battle in a critical Peach Belt Conference East Division showdown. FMU is 8-4 against PBC East Division opponents, while UNCP is 9-3.

#7 Columbus State (32-8, 9-6) at Georgia Southwestern (22-14)--Friday 6 p.m. EDT and Saturday 2 p.m. EDT

The Hurricanes host the Cougars in a battle for positioning for postseason positioning in the PBC West.

Softball

Peach Belt Conference Tournament--at Florence, S.C. (through Sunday)

No. 1 ranked (NFCA) North Georgia (42-0) will take an undefeated record into this weekend.

#12 Alabama-Huntsville (33-7, 18-1) at #3 Valdosta State (34-5, 17-4)--Sunday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

The Lady Blazers face the Chargers in a battle of the top two teams in the GSC East.