D-II SOUTH SPORTS FALL PREVIEW 2006--VOLLEYBALL

Our fall sports preview for the 2006 season starts in earnest with a look at each of the three sports D-II South Sports covers. We start with a look at volleyball.

All predicted orders of finish are courtesy of the respective conferences.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE

EAST DIVISION

1. North Alabama

2. West Florida

3. Alabama-Huntsville

4. West Georgia

5. Montevallo

6. Valdosta State

7. West Alabama

WEST DIVISION

1. Harding

2. Arkansas Tech

3. Christian Brothers

4. Henderson State

5. Ouachita Baptist

6. Arkansas-Monticello

7. Southern Arkansas

Analysis: The GSC may have lost two schools, Central Arkansas and Lincoln Memorial, but one thing that hasn't changed is that North Alabama is still the team to beat. Even so, other GSC programs have gotten better in recent years, including West Florida, which is beginning its seventh season of play. Don't count out Alabama-Huntsville in the GSC East either.

In the GSC West, Harding earned all six first place to get the nod for the favorites role in that division. Don't be surprised if the Lady Lions and Bisons find themselves playing for the GSC tournament title in November.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

1. Armstrong Atlantic State

2. USC Upstate

3. USC Aiken

4. Francis Marion

5. Lander

6. UNC Pembroke

7. Augusta State

Analysis: After missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999, the Pirates hope to make a return trip to post-season play in 2006, as AASU returns its entire starting lineup from a squad that finished 22-12 a year ago. However, the Pirates will have plenty of challengers, with USC Upstate and USCA looking to mount a serious challenge for the PBC regular season title. Defending PBC tournament champion FMU has a new head coach in Paul MacDonald, who replaces Sonny Kirkpatrick.

SIAC

EAST DIVISION

1. Albany State

2. Clark Atlanta

3. Benedict

4. Paine

5. Fort Valley State

WEST DIVISION

1. Kentucky State

2. Miles

3. LeMoyne-Owen

4. Tuskegee

5. Lane

6. Stillman

Analysis: Albany State will look to win its sixth straight SIAC title, as well as advance to its sixth straight NCAA Division II tournament in 2006.

STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 3

NOTE: A little late, but like the old saying goes, "better late than never". Anyway, here is the third and final installment on the "state of the conferences" with a look at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, or the SIAC.

SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE--http://www.thesiac.com

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP

Albany State University (Ga.)

Benedict College (S.C.)

Clark-Atlanta University (Ga.)

Claflin University (S.C.)*

Fort Valley State University (Ga.)

Kentucky State University

Lane College (Tenn.)

LeMoyne-Owen College (Tenn.)

Miles College (Ala.)

Morehouse College (Ga.)

Paine College (Ga.)

Stillman College (Ala.)

Tuskegee University (Ala.)

*--First year in SIAC/NCAA Division II

Analysis: The SIAC will grow by at least one school this academic year, well, sort of. Claflin University of Orangeburg, S.C. will enter their first season in the conference as a provisional member, with just eight sports. With just three women's sports (basketball, softball, and volleyball), Claflin must add at least three more sports to comply with NCAA and Title IX requirements.

On the other hand, Albany State (Ga.) has shown tremenous strength athletically, as the men's teams share the All-Sports trophy, while the Lady Rams won the women's title outright.

STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 2

Our pre-season look at the state of each of the three conferences D-II South Sports covers continues with a look at the Peach Belt Conference.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE--http://www.peachbelt.com

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP

Armstrong Atlantic State University (Ga.)

Augusta State University (Ga.)

Clayton State University (Ga.)

Columbus State University

Francis Marion University (S.C)--(1)

Georgia College & State University

Georgia Southwestern State University (2)

Lander University (S.C.)

North Georgia College & State University (3)

University of North Carolina-Pembroke

University of South Carolina-Aiken

University of South Carolina-Upstate (4)

KEY:

(1)--PBC member in all sports except women's soccer and men's golf. Both sports currently compete at the NCAA Division I level.

(2)--Beginning first season at the NCAA Division II level. Not eligible for NCAA post-season play.

(3)--Beginning second season at the NCAA Division II level. Not eligible for NCAA post-season play.

(4)--Final season in PBC and NCAA Division II. Will upgrade to NCAA Division I, and join the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2007-08.

Analysis: For 10 years, the Peach Belt Conference was probably one of the most stable NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. But the departures of Kennesaw State and North Florida to the NCAA Division I ranks at the end of the 2004-05 academic year changed that. Now the league must brace for more change, as USC Upstate plans to join its former PBC rivals in the Atlantic Sun Conference after the 2006-07 academic year.

But the upheaval may not end there. With its women's soccer and men's golf programs already competing at the D-I level, the rest of the sports at Francis Marion could soon follow suit. Also, with football set to return to the UNCP campus in 2007, the Braves may also find themselves seeking D-I status in the years to come. With Georgia Southwestern and North Georgia being ineligible for post-season play for at least three more years, it's only a matter of time before the quality of competition starts to suffer. Should these moves occur, sports such as volleyball and men's soccer could be hurt the most, as there would only be four current members playing volleyball (AASU, ASU, LU, USCA), and five with men's soccer (Clayton State, GSW, LU, North Georgia, USCA). If this happens, don't be surprised if the PBC expands west into Alabama to replace those departed schools.

STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 1

D-II South Sports begins its fall sports preview with the state of the three conferences the website covers. First up: the Gulf South Conference.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE--http://www.gulfsouthconference.org

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP (15 Schools)

EAST DIVISION

University of Alabama-Huntsville

University of Montevallo (Ala.)

University of North Alabama

Valdosta State University (Ga.)

University of West Alabama

University of West Florida

University of West Georgia

WEST DIVISION

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Arkansas Tech University

Christian Brothers University (Tenn.)

Delta State University (Miss.)

Harding University (Ark.)

Henderson State University (Ark.)

Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.)

Southern Arkansas University

Analysis: The fact that the University of Central Arkansas has left for the NCAA Division I ranks during the off-season came as no surprise to anyone who follows the GSC. But the sudden departure of Lincoln Memorial University (Tenn.) for the South Atlantic Conference did surprise many people. Then again, though, the long trips to far-flung places such as Valdosta, Ga., Pensacola, Fla., and Livingston, Ala. no doubt proved to be a factor in LMU's decision to switch conferences. Could the defection of Central Arkansas and Lincoln Memorial create a domino effect in terms in other schools, most notably North Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia, possibly looking elsewhere? We'll wait and see.

PBC COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT

Marvin Vanover Announces Retirement
Peach Belt Commissioner to End 16-Year Term in June 2007
7.27.06

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Marvin Vanover, the only commissioner the Peach Belt Conference has ever had, announced his retirement at a press conference in Augusta on Thursday. Vanover, who coached basketball at Augusta State University for 25 years before helping found the Peach Belt, will retire on June 30, 2007, bringing an end to a prestigious career in collegiate athletics.

“This is the right time for me to step aside,” said Vanover. “I’ve had a good career, I’d just like to do some other things in my life, travel, spend time with my family. Do a lot of things that I haven’t had an opportunity to do. I’ve enjoyed my work so much through the years I’ll always attend a lot of the events. I guess I’ll just have to start buying a ticket to go.”

Beginning in 1989, Coach Vanover became involved with the initial planning of the Peach Belt Conference and was asked to serve as an interim commissioner in April of 1990 for one year. He was named the PBC’s first full-time commissioner in June of 1991.

“We are immensely grateful to have worked so closely with Commissioner Vanover,” said Dr. Thomas Jones, president of Armstrong Atlantic State University and PBC president for the 2006-07 season. “He has been the only commissioner the conference has had and through his leadership and guidance he has established one of the outstanding conferences in all of Division II. Speaking for the Board of Directors and my fellow presidents, we are sorry to see him go but wish him the best and thank him for leaving such a legacy behind.”

Under his tenure, the Peach Belt Conference has grown into one of the preeminent Division II Conferences in the nation with 24 National Championships in only 16 years. In 2006, the USC Aiken men’s golf team won their third straight national title, bringing the conference its 24th title. The PBC has also fielded 22 national finalists, including the 2006 Armstrong Atlantic State women’s tennis team and the Columbus State men’s golf team, who finished second to USCA. Peach Belt Conference teams have won national titles in men’s basketball, women’s tennis, men’s tennis, softball and baseball. Over 300 PBC student-athletes have been named All-Americans in the conference’s history.

“I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work for a board of directors and an athletic directors council that have been so committed to the development of this conference,” said Vanover. “They made my work so much easier and much more fun and allowed us to reach the stature the conference has achieved.”

As a coach, Vanover led the Jaguars for 23 years including two straight NAIA District 25 championships in 1970 and ‘71. Aside from winning the regional and advancing to the NAIA national tournament, the 1969-70 team was ranked #5 in the nation with a 27-3 overall record, the best by a Vanover-led team. In 1978 he led the team to their first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance, where the Jaguars faced current Division I power Central Florida.

It was also during this time that Vanover produced All-Americans Joe McBride (1970) and Chip Wilson (1971). Coach Vanover also received many accolades of his own including the NAIA District 25 Coach of the Year and the Georgia Collegiate Coach of the Year from the Atlanta Tipoff Club for the 1969-70 season. It was also during this time that “Marvin Vanover Day” was declared in Augusta on February 14, 1970, and he was named a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of his home state. He received a certificate of commendation from the mayor of Augusta and the Georgia state senate, as well as a commendation presented personally by the Governor of Georgia.

He went on to be named Coach of the Year in 1975-76 and in 1980-81 from the South Atlantic Conference as he moved the Jaguar program to the NCAA Division II level. In 1980-81 he was also named Coach of the Year in the NCAA’s south district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. The road leading to ASU’s Fieldhouse was named in his honor on Nov. 18, 2003, which was also declared Marvin Vanover day in Augusta.

Vanover served as the commissioner of the South Atlantic Conference in 1981-82 and was instrumental in moving the Augusta College program up to the NCAA Division I level as a part of the newly formed Big South Conference in 1983.

“This was a difficult decision, but it is my second retirement,” said Vanover with a smile. “You get to know people in athletics in ways you don’t in other aspects of life. And you come away with a lot of respect, the coach or player you battle the hardest against can become your lifelong friend, that’s just the nature of athletics. I am fortunate to have many people who I consider friends at every school I have either coached for or against or who have been a part of the Peach Belt Conference. I will take those friendships with me, its one of the greatest rewards of my career.”

A native of Harlan, Ky., Vanover graduated from Georgia Southern University with a B.S. in Physical Education and has served on the GSU alumni board. He was awarded the Lettermen Club Award from his alma mater in 1980 and also holds a master’s degree in Physical Education from Peabody College. He is the proud father of two children, a daughter, Holly, and a son, Derek.

Dr. Jones stated that the Peach Belt board of directors, comprised of the presidents of the member schools, will convene soon to establish the search and screening process for a new PBC Commissioner. Applications and nominations for the position will not be accepted until an official public notification of the search is announced.

Source: Peach Belt Conference

UNC PEMBROKE SID NAMED

PEMBROKE, N.C. -- Todd Anderson was named Sports Information Director (SID) for the growing athletic programs at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Anderson comes to UNCP from Mississippi State University, where he served as assistant director for athletic media relations for seven seasons. While in Starkville, he served as the primary contact for women's soccer and softball while also assisting with men's and women's basketball.

A sports reporter and editor for the student newspaper at the University of Alabama, Anderson has considerable writing experience, including correspondent work for ESPN.com, Collegiate Sports Partners and The Birmingham News. At Alabama, he was a student assistant and intern for the athletic media relations department.

He reports to Braves' Athletic Director Dan Kenney.

"UNCP is excited to have Todd Anderson join our athletic family," Kenney said. "Our search was focused on hiring a young leader who possesses all the necessary skills that today's sports information director needs to have. Todd's experience will be a plus as we add new sports to UNCP.

UNCP will add women's golf in 2006 and football in 2007 as its programs and facilities grow. Anderson said he is happy to be on board.

"There are significant challenges ahead for Braves' athletics," he said. "We are building all our programs and starting new programs. This is a tremendous career opportunity, and this kind of challenge is very appealing to me personally. My assistant and I will be immersed in the job of putting out top quality sports information.

Anderson was a journalism major at Alabama and he will continue to work on a master's degree at UNCP. His media guides for softball and soccer have won five national awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including a "Best In The Nation" laurel for his 2005 soccer publication.

A native of Sarasota, Fla., Anderson has broad experience in writing, publications and Web management as well as press box management, maintaining statistics and game and tournament management.

Source: UNC Pembroke Athletic Department

PERSONNEL CHANGES ANNOUNCED AT COLUMBUS STATE

COLUMBUS, Ga. -- Columbus State University Athletic Director Herbert Greene is preparing for an active fall semester with some newly announced personnel changes.

Mike Peacock, formerly CSU’s sports information director, has been named assistant athletic director for communications and compliance. Brian Padgett, who was assisting in the sports information office, is now the director.

Peacock was CSU’s first full-time sports information director. Formerly a high school coach in Alabama, he was hired into the position as an experiment in 1995, but quickly became invaluable, producing stories and tracking statistics for all of CSU’s Division II sports.

In his new position, Peacock will oversee the athletic department’s communications efforts, will monitor CSU’s adherence to NCAA compliance policies and monitor the eligibility and progress of CSU’s student athletes.

Previously, this important function was housed outside the athletic department.

“We needed to get compliance and eligibility monitoring within the athletic department, but we didn’t want a coach to do it,” Greene said. “This move will streamline everything. The coaches will have a direct line to the compliance and eligibility official. Most schools are going to this kind of operation.”

Brian Padgett, who started in the athletic department as a graduate assistant in 2000, was assistant golf coach while also helping sports information duties. He will retain his role as assistant golf coach as he moves full time to sports information director.

Additionally Mike Greene, facility coordinator for the Lumpkin Center, will assist with marketing the athletic programs this year.

Source: Columbus State University Sports Information

CSU BASEBALL OFFSEASON UPDATE

Columbus, GA - Several current and former Columbus State baseball players are playing well in various baseball leauges around the country. Four current players are in various collegiate leagues, while two former players are playing professionally in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays' organization.

C.J. Bressoud, a catcher who sat out during the 2006 season at CSU, is playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League for the Torrington Twisters. Teammate Bryan Kilgore, a pitcher, was also on the Twisters roster, but was forced to come home due to an injury problem. Bressoud is hitting .263 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs, and 11 RBI in 24 games. He leads the team with a .447 slugging percentage and his six doubles are also tops on the team. The team is based in Torrington, CT.

Two players, Jonnie Geiger and Drew Candlin, are playing in the Valley Collegiate League. Geiger playes for the New Market Rebels in New Market, VA, and is hitting a solid .338 so far in 22 games. He has four doubles, two triples, a home run, and is 15-17 in stolen bases. He is second on the team in hitting and has yet to make an error defensively.

Candlin plays for the Haymarket Senators in Alexandria, VA. He is hitting .356 on the season with a double, a homer, and 13 RBI. He is 2-3 in stolen bases and is second on his team in hitting.

Rising senior Kurt McKee is playing for the Petersburg (VA) Generals in the Coastal Plain League. Although he is struggling a bit offensively (.186 avg.) he is second on the team in RBI with 10 and is 2-3 in stolen bases in 27 games started. He leads the team defensively with only two errors on the year, good for a .986 fielding percentage.

Former players Garrett Groce and Brian Baker are playing in the Tampa Bay organization and both are at the A level. Groce has spent the entire season playing for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays and is enjoying another solid year in his second season of professional ball. Groce is hitting .281 in 81 games with 16 doubles, four home runs, and 32 RBI. He has stolen 19 bases on the season. He leads the team in hits with 81 and also leads in walks with 30. He is second on the team in doubles, homers, and RBI.

Baker, a right-handed pitcher, left extended spring training and was assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades, a short-season team in the New York - Penn League. The all-time saves leader at CSU has appeared in seven games and has a 0-0 record with two saves in 10.2 innings pitched. He has allowed seven hits, fanned 11, and holds a 3.38 ERA. His save total is tied for tops on the pitching staff.

Source: Columbus State University Sports Information

VSU VOLLEYBALL INKS FIVE

The start of the fall sports season may be weeks off, but the Valdosta State University volleyball program and head coach Sia Poyer are building for the future, as the Lady Blazers signed five recruits for the upcoming 2006 season.

Press Release

NORTH GEORGIA SID NAMED

DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- North Georgia College & State University announced that Travis Jarome has been selected as the Sports Information Director for the upcoming athletic season.

Jarome comes to North Georgia College and State University from LAMP High School in Montgomery, AL where he served as head girl's soccer coach.

Prior to his stint at LAMP, Jarome served as Sports Information Director at Auburn University Montgomery for two years.

During his time at AUM, he promoted Wimbledon doubles champion Wesley Moodie, former NBA player Etdrick Bohannon, and former professional baseball players Aron Andrews and Brett Holmes.

Jarome was responsible for seven intercollegiate sports at AUM, including the national championship tennis programs and perennial national power men's soccer team. He also assisted in AUM beginning a weekly television show that aired highlights of the athletic events, and for getting basketball and baseball games broadcast on the internet.

During his time at AUM, Jarome won numerous NAIA-SIDA awards for his work on media guides.
"I am honored to have been chosen," Jarome said. "North Georgia is a great place to work, and the staff is excellent. I cannot wait to begin work with the athletic department and assist them in their transition to NCAA Division II and the Peach Belt Athletic Conference."

He served as media administrator for the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championships and the NAIA National Tennis Championships in 2005. Jarome also covered the NCAA Division II Baseball Championships for The Championship Daily in 2005 and 2006.

Jarome also wrote for The Montgomery Advertiser covering various high school and collegiate events, and for The Montgomery Independent covering junior high and high school events.

Before his stint as the director at AUM, Jarome served as the Interim Sports Information Director on two occasions, the last being from October 2002 until May 2003.

Source: Peach Belt Conference

FORMER GC&SU PITCHER SIGNS PRO DEAL

SAUGET, Illinois – Former Georgia College & State University pitcher
Christian Castorri has agreed to terms with the Gateway Grizzlies of
the Frontier League.

Castorri, a right-hander from Thomasville, Ga., recently finished his
senior season at GCSU after helping the Bobcats to a 53-12
record and their first ever Peach Belt Conference Championship.

Castorri went 7-3 with a 2.97 earned run average in 18 appearances and 12 starts for the Bobcats in 2006. He struck out 47 batters in 69.2 innings, while allowing only 18 walks and holding opposing hitters to a .258 batting average.

“This is a great opportunity for Christian,” GCSU coach Chris Calciano
said. “The Frontier League is a terrific league which attracts scouts
from major league teams, so this is a good chance for him to continue his baseball career.”

The Frontier League is a very successful professional independent
baseball league with ten teams located in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

Sources: Georgia College & State University Sports Information and Gateway Grizzlies

MORE FROM THE MLB DRAFT

Six more players from D-II South Nation were taken in last week's Major League Baseball draft, five from the Gulf South Conference, and one from the SIAC. Following is the list of players drafted, with position and round listed in parentheses.

KEY:

Player Name (Pos.)
Pick number (Round number)
College/University
Organization of drafted player

James Barksdale (OF)
440th overall pick (Round 15)
North Alabama
Pittsburgh Pirates

Aubrey Miller (P)
685th overall pick (Round 23)
Arkansas Tech
Baltimore Orioles

Andy Jackson (P)
785th overall pick (Round 26)
Central Arkansas
Florida Marlins

Ryne Lawson (P)
913th overall pick (Round 30)
West Alabama
Boston Red Sox

Jeremy Hambrice (OF)
934th overall pick (Round 31)
Southern Arkansas
New York Mets

Sanduan Dubose
1,052nd overall pick (Round 35)
Stillman College
Milwaukee Brewers

SIX PBC BASEBALL PLAYERS TAKEN IN DRAFT

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Six Peach Belt Conference baseball players were selected in the 2006 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, which concluded on Wednesday evening. USC Upstate’s Brandon Williams was the first conference player selected in the draft, going to the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 860th pick in the 29th round. Francis Marion’s Lee Tabor was also selected as were GC&SU’s Mike Deveaux and Michael Antonini. USC Aiken’s Nick Wandless and Robert Davis were also drafted.

Brandon Williams, from Tega Cay, SC, came to USC Upstate as a walk-on and earned a scholarship. Along the way, he worked his way into being one of the top pitchers in the history of the program. After four years in the program, Williams finished his career as USC Upstate’s all-time strikeouts leader with 202, surpassing the old mark of 158 in the first month of the season. He finished his career with an 18-11 record with 52 appearances and 42 starts in 245.1 innings of work.

Lee Tabor was taken with the 894th pick by the Cincinnati Reds in the 30th round. This past season, the Manning native posted an 8-5 record with a 3.19 earned run average. He completed eight of 16 starts with one shutout, and ranked among the NCAA Division II leaders in strikeouts with 118 in 115.2 innings. Opponents batted only .238 against him. Tabor helped lead the Patriots to their most successful season ever with a 41-18 record, earning a No. 6 national ranking, and advancing to the 2006 NCAA Division II College World Series. An honorable mention All-American in 2005, he owns an 18-10 career mark with a 2.84 ERA in three seasons at FMU. He has fanned 230 batters in 243.2 innings.

GC&SU’s Mike Deveaux was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 997th pick in the 33rd round. DeVeaux, a senior shortstop from Statesboro, GA, earned Second Team All-American honors for the second straight year. He batted .347 and was tied for the team and Peach Belt Conference lead with 10 home runs, while leading the league with 78 RBI. He also stroked 18 doubles and three triples, while scoring 53 runs and led the conference with 144 total bases. He also ranked seventh in the PBC with a .556 slugging percentage. He was the PBC Player of the Year as a junior in 2005.

USC Aiken’s Nick Wandless was also selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the 1074th pick in the 36th round. Wandless, a native of Evans, Ga., was named a First-Team All-American at the conclusion of the 2006 season. He became the first Pacer pitcher in a decade to earn All-Conference honors. The four-year closer for USC Aiken turned in a 2-1 record with 17 saves and a 1.56 earned run average, striking out 48 and walking just nine in 34.2 innings pitched. He held opponents to a .137 batting average. For his career, Wandless set a new NCAA record for career appearances with 114, breaking the 17-year-old mark of 109. He is also the school’s, conference’s, and NCAA’s all-time saves leader with 32.

GC&SU’s Michael Antonini was taken by the Phillies in the 41st round with the 1237th selection. A junior left-handed pitcher from Aston, PA, Antonini was named All-American in his first year with the Bobcats after posting an 11-1 record with a 2.93 earned run average in 16 appearances and 15 starts. He tallied 63 strikeouts with only 20 walks in 101.1 innings pitched. He was tied with teammate Michael Newman for second place in the conference in victories.

USC Aiken’s Robert Davis was the final PBC player drafted, taken by the San Francisco Giants in the 50th round with the 1484th pick. Davis led the Pacers in batting average (.345), hits (89), doubles (22), home runs (5), slugging percentage (.488), and RBI (57) in earning ABCA First-Team All-Region honors behind the plate. His 22 doubles ranked second in the PBC while he was fifth in runs batted in. In addition, the senior from Evans, Ga. was third in runs scored with 44. Davis set single season records in 2006 for at bats (258) and games played (64).

Sources: Major League Baseball and Peach Belt Conference

MONTEVALLO BASEBALL SEASON ENDS

The University of Montevallo baseball team saw its run in the NCAA Division II World Series come to an end with a 9-5 loss to Chico State (Calif.) Thursday afternoon. Wednesday, the Falcons (43-18) staved off elimination by ousting West Chester (Pa.) 10-3.

Click here for a recap of the Falcons season-ending loss to Chico State, who will face Tampa in Saturday's national title game.

FRANCIS MARION, MONTEVALLO FALL IN D-II WORLD SERIES

Only one team will be left to be the carry the banner for D-II South Nation in the 2006 NCAA Division II World Series at Montgomery, Ala., as Francis Marion (41-18) saw its record-breaking season come to a heartbreaking end with a 3-2 loss to West Chester (Pa.) in 10 innings in an elimination game Monday afternoon. The 41 wins are the most in school history for FMU in baseball.

In the nightcap, Montevallo also lost a tough game to the top-ranked Spartans of the University of Tampa 5-4. The Falcons (42-17) will face West Chester in an elimination game Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Website

D-II WORLD SERIES

D-II WORLD SERIES--at Montgomery, Ala.

NOTE: Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Francis Marion (41-17) vs. West Chester (39-19)--2:30 p.m. CDT

After a 4-3 loss to Tampa in Saturday's opener, the Patriots face a must-win situation against the Golden Rams.

Montevallo (42-16) vs. Tampa (51-6)--6:30 p.m. CDT

Unlike FMU, the Falcons were successful in their first-ever D-II World Series contest, as they edged West Chester 3-2 Saturday, thanks to pinch hitter Derek Simmons getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the 12th inning. But now UM faces a much tougher task in the nationally top-ranked Spartans in Monday's nightcap.

LINKS

NCAA Division II Baseball Championship Homepage

NCAA Sports.com

UM Internet Broadcast Link

D-II WORLD SERIES PREVIEW

NCAA DIVISION II BASEBALL WORLD SERIES--at Montgomery, Ala.

Saturday, May 27

Francis Marion (41-16) vs. Tampa (50-6)--1 p.m. CDT

Montevallo (41-16) vs. West Chester (38-18)--6:30 p.m. CDT

Both the Patriots and Falcons will play in their first-ever NCAA Division II World Series games after winning the South Atlantic and South Central Regional titles, respectively, in dramatic fashion. FMU might have the tougher of the two assignments, however, as the Patriots face a top-ranked Spartans squad that has lost just a half-dozen games all season, and went a perfect 4-0 record en route to winning the South Regional crown last weekend.

USC UPSTATE TO NCAA DIVISION I--AN ANALYSIS

For those people who haven't heard the news by now, yet another Peach Belt Conference school is leaving the NCAA Division II ranks for the supposedly greener pastures of NCAA Division I, as the University of South Carolina-Upstate became the third current or former PBC member to join the Atlantic Sun Conference. By moving into the A-Sun fold, Upstate will follow in the footsteps of former perennial PBC powers Kennesaw State and North Florida, who not long ago were among the best all-around athletic programs in the D-II ranks.

What is it about NCAA Division II schools choosing to move up to Division I? Is it the perceived national exposure such an institution gets just from competing at the highest level of college sports? Or about the potential revenue a school even from having the school's name show up on the ESPN "Bottom Line" sports ticker during the college basketball season, let alone having a few games carried on regional television? Or is it that Division II is perceived to be a lower caliber of athletic competition? And what factor, if any, did George Mason's improbable run to the NCAA Division I men's basketball Final Four play in the decision of a few schools to leave Division II? Whatever the reasons are, Division I seems to be growing at the expense of D-II, as many powerful programs continue to make the move up.

But it doesn't end there. Francis Marion, whose women's soccer and men's golf programs recently completed their inaugural seasons at the D-I level, may seriously consider moving the rest of their sports to D-I status eventually. Just up the road in North Carolina, UNC Pembroke could be a serious candidate to make the move as well, especially with the school reinstating its football program in 2007, which would give it 15 sports, one more over the required number of sports to compete at the NCAA Division I level.

And the moves aren't limited to the Peach Belt Conference, either. In fact, the University of Central Arkansas has already left the Gulf South Conference for the Southland Conference. Other current GSC members such as Alabama-Huntsville, Delta State, and West Georgia, may decide to follow suit with UCA in the years to come. Even Florida Gulf Coast, a school that didn't open its doors until 1997, will move into the D-I ranks within two years.

So, the question that remains to be asked is this. How much attrition will the NCAA Division II level suffer before the caliber and quality of competition do? Whatever the answer may be, D-II South Nation may very well have a different look in the long run.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES ALL-SPORTMANSHIP TEAM

Release courtesy of Peach Belt Conference

AUGUSTA, GA -- The Peach Belt Conference and commissioner Marvin Vanover are pleased to announce the first-ever PBC All-Sportsmanship from the conference office in Augusta. One male and one female student-athlete from each of the league’s 11 member schools were placed on the team.

Each PBC member institution selected their own representative to appear on the team on criteria set by each school. However, each student-athlete on the All-Sportsmanship team has demonstrated consistently good sportsmanship and ethical behavior in his or her daily participation in PBC athletics and good citizenship outside of their sports setting. Each member of the All-Sportsmanship team will receive a certificate from the Peach Belt Conference.

2006 Peach Belt Conference

Female All-Sportsmanship Team

Alicia Durham, Armstrong Atlantic State

Brooke Southerland, Augusta State

Carlie Anderson, Clayton State

Erin Gibbs, Columbus State

Jamie Wiggins, Francis Marion

Beth Coughlin, GC&SU

Corrie Bessinger, Lander

Katie Williamson, North Georgia

Alecia Hill, UNC Pembroke

Mindy Allee, USC Aiken

Yakeeshia Ross, USC Upstate

2006 Peach Belt Conference

Male All-Sportsmanship Team

Alex Carter, Armstrong Atlantic State

Lindy Blount, Augusta State

Matt Beall, Clayton State

Will Davis, Columbus State

Mike Greenaway, Lander

Michael Antonini, GC&SU

Ryan Peck, Lander

Anders Oster, North Georgia

Tom Martin, UNC Pembroke

Keol Newton, USC Aiken

Diego Sist, USC Upstate

FRANCIS MARION, MONTEVALLO ADVANCE TO WORLD SERIES

D-II South Nation will have two of the eight representatives at the NCAA Division II World Series in Montgomery, Ala. after both Francis Marion University and the University of Montevallo won their respective regional titles Sunday. The Patriots bounced back from a 7-0 shutout loss to Georgia College & State University in the first South Atlantic Regional title game to win the nightcap 7-4 in Milledgeville, Ga.

Meanhwile, hundreds of miles away in Abilene, Tex., the Falcons completed an undefeated run through the South Central Regional by edging Incarnate Word (Tex.) 9-8 in the title game Sunday. It will be the first-ever appearances for both FMU and UM in the D-II national tournament.

Recaps

South Atlantic Regional Final

South Central Regional Final

USC UPSTATE JOINS ATLANTIC SUN CONFERENCE

Seems like the NCAA Division I Atlantic Sun Conference is getting to be very good at raiding the NCAA Division II ranks, especially the Peach Belt Conference, for new members. On Tuesday, the PBC lost its third member in the last two years, as the University of South Carolina-Upstate accepted an invitation to become the 12th member of the A-Sun, joining soon-to-be fellow D-II transplant Florida Gulf Coast University, as well as former PBC members Kennesaw State University of North Florida. Analysis to come.

More coverage:

Peach Belt Conference Press Release

USC Upstate NCAA Division I Website

NCAA BASEBALL SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED

The NCAA Monday morning announced the 48 teams who will compete for the 2006 Division II baseball national championship. And D-II South Nation is well represented, as the Peach Belt Conference, to no one's surprise, earned five of the six bids in the South Atlantic Regional, while Montevallo, Southern Arkansas, and West Alabama were the lone Gulf South Conference teams selected South Atlantic Regional. In the South Regional, Albany State University (Ga.) earned its first-ever NCAA tournament bid after winning the SIAC tournament last month.

Here are the complete pairings for the South, South Atlantic, and South Central Regional tournaments, courtesy of NCAA Sports.com. Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

South Regional at Tampa, Florida

1. *Tampa 46-6

2. Florida Gulf Coast 39-15

3. Catawba 44-12

4. Florida Southern 38-17

5. Lynn 33-21

6. Albany State (Georgia) 23-31

South Atlantic Regional at Milledgeville, Georgia

1. *GC&SU 49-10

2. Francis Marion 37-15

3. Columbus State 41-18

4. Armstrong Atlantic State 39-16-1

5. South Carolina-Aiken 43-17

6. Mount Olive 39-12

South Central Regional at Abilene, Texas

1. *Abilene Christian 43-16

2. Southern Arkansas 38-16

3. Montevallo 37-16

4. West Alabama 41-20

5. Central Oklahoma 40-18

6. Incarnate Word 36-19

CSU WINS PEACH BELT BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

AIKEN, S.C.--The Columbus State Cougars scored four runs in the first and added another in the second as they defeated top-ranked Georgia College & State University 8-4 in the championship game of the 2006 PBC Tournament in Aiken, S.C. With the win, the Cougars improve to 41-18 on the season while GC&SU falls to 49-10.

The Cougars jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning as Kurt McKee led the game off with a double and later scored off an RBI single from Billy Howard. Brad Shea then delivered the big blow of the inning with a two-run double to right. Trent Bianco finished the scoring with an RBI single.

The Cougars built the lead up to five runs in the second inning on an RBI single from Drew Candlin that scored Jonnie Geiger. That was enough to force GC&SU starting pitcher Ryan Tabor (L, 0-1) from the game after an inning and 2/3, allowing five runs on six hits.

The Bobcats struck back in the fourth with a pair of runs. Casey Cullen doubled with one out to score Mike Deveaux, who was one of three Bobcats hit by a pitch in the game. Cullen was moved to third on a Wes Sorrells hit, then the bases were loaded as Kyle Shisler was hit by a pitch. Tripp Burt then grounded out to third, scoring Cullen but leaving runners at second and third with two out. Columbus State starter Bryan Kilgore (W, 1-3) got out of the jam by getting Rich Janofsky to ground out to short.

The Bobcats added another run in the seventh on an RBI line drive by Hans Stancil, but again left two runners on base. The Bobcats stranded nine runners in the game.

Columbus State put the game away in the bottom of the eighth, scoring three runs on a bizarre play that featured two throwing errors by the GC&SU defense that, in essence, allowed McKee to circle the bases for an inside the park home run with two runners on.

Paul Able pitched the ninth inning to close the door on the Bobcats. Johnny Floyd, who was named All-Tournament, pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, his third appearance in the PBC Tournament.

CSU’s Billy Howard was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after going 1-4 with a run and an RBI. Candlin, Linton, Bianco and Shea all had two hits for the Cougars. Shea was also named All-Tournament.

Justin Mills was the only Bobcat with more than one hit as he went 2-for-5. Casey Cullen, named All-Tournament, went 1-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI.

Both GC&SU and Columbus State are all but assured of spots in the NCAA South Atlantic Regional tournament which begins next week. The tournament bracket is expected to be released on Monday morning.

Release courtesy of Columbus State University Sports Information

GC&SU SOFTBALL WINS SOUTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL TITLE!

Columbus, GA - In a marathon pitchers' duel of epic proportions here Sunday night and early Monday morning, Georgia College & State University finally broke through in the 16th inning with four runs and went on to a 4-1 win over Lenoir-Rhyne in the championship game of the South Atlantic Regional. The rally broke a scoreless tie in a duel between freshmen hurlers Mandy Chandler of GC & SU and Casey Hanes of LRC.

"I am so shocked, I just don't believe it," said Lady Bobcat coach Ginger Miller. "Lenoir-Rhyne is a great team and they would certainly represent our region well."Chandler, named the tournament's MVP, fanned 23 hitters (a new school record) and allowed just seven hits in the game. She carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning before Hanes broke it up with a soft single to shallow center field. "Mandy has a lot of heart, in fact our whole team does. She never gave up and we just kept fighting. I am so proud," added Miller.

Hanes was almost as dominant. The freshman fanned 15 and walked just two hitters and did not allow an earned run. She pitched a total of 46 innings in the tournament for the Bears."We played hard and they played hard," said Bears coach Shena Hollar. "Unfortunately I felt we just didn't get the breaks. I am proud of this team, though - it has been a great season.

"GC & SU (44-11) got a single from Diana Baruffa with one out to start the rally in the sixteenth. Heather Jones then dropped down a bunt to move the runner, but the throw was mishandled at first for an error, putting runners at second and third. Keidra Baitey was intentionally walked and then Nikki Smith reached on another error and two runs scored on the play to make it 2-0. Aundrea Baker then tripled down the left field line to plate two more.

LRC (52-12-1) did not go quietly, however. Meredith O'Connor singled to lead off the inning adn Leah Krohn followed with a single an out later. After Angela Beard fouled out, Karie Pushard delivered a run-scoring single and brought the tying run to the plate. Chandler coerced a popup off the bat of Chrissy Lunsford to end the game and start the celebration for the Lady Bobcats.

Baker and Pushard were the only players for either team to collect more than one hit as the pitchers were in complete control of the game. GC & SU now advances to the Division II Softball Championship beginning Thursday in Salem, VA. It is second trip for the Lady Bobcats after the 2003 team finished as national runners-up.

Source: Columbus State University Sports Information

PBC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT UPDATE

AIKEN, South Carolina --Georgia College & State University scored twice in the top of the tenth inning to pull out a 2-0 victory over USC Aiken Saturday night at the Peach Belt Conference Tournament. GCSU (49-9) advances to the championship game of the tournament and will play Sunday at 4 p.m. against the winner of the USC Aiken (43-16)/Columbus State elimination semifinal.

Neither team could push a run across in regulation, forcing the extra frame. GCSU's Mike DeVeaux drew a one out walk and advanced to second and third base on wild pitches. He would score the first run on a fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Wes Sorrells. Nick Waldrip provided an insurance run with an RBI single to bring home Casey Cullen. The Pacers were retired in order in the bottom of the inning to send the Bobcats to the championship game.

Matt Howard (6-0) picked up the win in relief for GCSU after holding the Pacers scoreless for 3.1 innings on one hit with three strikeouts. Nick Wandless (2-1) took the loss in relief for USC Aiken after allowing two runs on one hit with two walks in 1.1 innings.

Brandon Anderson went 2-for-4, while Justin Mills went 2-for-5 to lead GCSU at the plate. Mike Wadowski went 3-for-4 to lead USC Aiken.

Information courtesy of Georgia College & State University.

GC&SU BASEBALL ELIMINATES ARMSTRONG ATLANTIC STATE

AIKEN, South Carolina--Georgia College & State University stayed alive in the Peach Belt Conference Baseball Tournament Saturday with a 14-5 victory over Armstrong Atlantic State University. GCSU (48-9) advances to Saturday night's 7 p.m. semifinal against USC Aiken.

Trailing 4-3 after four innings, GCSU scored three in the fifth and exploded for six runs in the sixth inning for a 12-4 lead. Mike DeVeaux led a 17-hit Bobcat attack by going 5-for-6 with three doubles and five RBI, while Casey Cullen added four RBI in a 2-for-5 performance, and Hans Stancil went 3-for-5 with four runs scored and four stolen bases. Daniel Heflin went 4-for-4 with one RBI to lead AASU (39-16-1 PBC).

Jayson Bennett (1-2) picked up the win in relief for the Bobcats after allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in four innings. Austin Ducey (5-6) took the loss for the Pirates after allowing three runs on two hits with three walks in 1.1 innings of relief.

AASU is eliminated from the tournament.

Information courtesy of Georgia College & State University

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE BASEBALL TOURNAMENT--at Aiken, SC--May 11-14

Thursday's games--All Times EDT

#1 GC&SU vs. #6 USC Upstate--11 a.m.

#2 Francis Marion vs. #5 Armstrong Atlantic--3 p.m.

#3 Columbus State vs. #6 USC Aiken--7 p.m.

Analysis: With five of the six teams currently ranked in the most recent Collegiate Baseball NCAA Division II national poll (GC&SU #1, FMU #5, CSU #15, USCA #16, and AASU #23), and a sixth team (Upstate) also receiving votes, this should be a very competitive tournament. Also, it doesn't hurt that seven of the nine teams in the latest South Atlantic Regional poll also call the PBC home, with five of those aforementioned squads (GC&SU, FMU, AASU, CSU, and USCA) ranked one through five respectively. It's too bad at least one of those teams may end up being left out of the NCAA tournament field come next weekend.

PBC Tournament Web Site

NCAA SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED

The pairings for the 2006 NCAA Division II softball tournament were announced yesterday, and D-II South Nation had a decent showing in the selection process, as eight of the 16 teams in both the South and South Atlantic regional brackets combined came from either the Gulf South Conference, the Peach Belt Conference, or the SIAC. The PBC placed four teams in the South Atlantic Regional, while the GSC sent three teams, and the SIAC one team, respectively, to the South Regional.

Here are the complete pairings for both regionals. Teams in conferences covered by D-II South Sports are marked in BOLD type.

SOUTH ATLANTIC REGIONAL--May 11-15 at Columbus, Ga.

#3 Wingate (45-9) vs. #6 Carson-Newman (40-13)

#2 GC&SU (40-11) vs. #7 Armstrong Atlantic State (37-25)

#4 Lenoir-Rhyne (49-10-1) vs. #5 USC Upstate (41-16-1)

#1 Columbus State (38-13) vs. #8 Queens (33-22)

SOUTH REGIONAL--May 11-15 at Lakeland, Fla.

#3 Alabama-Huntsville (48-15) vs. #6 Saint Leo (37-18)

#2 Barry (37-11) vs. #7 Valdosta State (38-22)

#4 North Alabama (39-18) vs. #5 Florida Gulf Coast (57-7)

#1 Florida Southern (49-5) vs. #8 Kentucky State (26-8)

South Regional Website

NCAA Sports.com

FRANCIS MARION HOOPS COACH NAMED

FLORENCE, S.C. - Francis Marion athletic director Murray Hartzler announced on Wednesday, April 26 the hiring of Gary Edwards of Indiana (Pa.) as the university's new head coach for men's basketball. The announcement was made at a news conference at The Cottage on the FMU campus.

Edwards, 48, replaces John Schweitz, whose contract was not renewed following the 2005-06 season.

The Virginia Beach, Va., native comes to Francis Marion after 10 seasons as head coach at NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He guided the Indians to a 206-88 mark, including five 20-win campaigns, and four trips to the Division II national tournament. Under his guidance, IUP advanced to the Elite Eight twice (2000 and 2002) and participated in the 2002 Final Four. He is the winningest coach in the program's long history.

His career coaching mark stands at 389-256 in 22 seasons on the bench.Edwards returns to South Carolina, where he still ranks as the winningest coach at Division I Charleston Southern University. In nine seasons, he guided the Buccaneers to 121 wins. His 1995 CSU squad won the Big South Conference title, and he twice earned Big South Conference "Coach of theYear" honors.

He also previously coached at Barton College (then Atlantic Christian College), compiling a 62-35 mark in three seasons and leading the Bulldogs to two NAIA national tournament appearances.

Prior to his arrival, the Bulldogs had suffered through 19 consecutive losing seasons.

"We are extremely pleased to have Gary join our staff," Hartzler said. "Given his background at both the Division I and Division II levels, he became the right choice at the right time to lead our program. His career record speaks for itself, and we feel he possesses all the qualities we are looking for to run a complete program, both on and off the court."FMU president Dr. Fred Carter added, "In hiring a new coach, we focused on three key criteria: the necessity for achieving a winning program, recruiting and graduating student-athletes, and cultivating strong support within the community. We feel that Gary will be successful at all three of these."

Edwards received a B.A. degree in English (magna cum laude) from Virginia Wesleyan College, where he was recognized as an academic All-American on the basketball court in 1979. He later earned a master's degree from Old Dominion University.

His coaching career began in 1979 as an assistant varsity coach and head junior varsity coach at his alma mater, Virginia Wesleyan. He then served as an assistant coach at Hofstra University for two years before taking over the Barton program."In many ways, this is like coming home for me," Edwards said. "I am originally from the South, and have had many good experiences in South Carolina. I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to lead this program. Under Dr. Carter's leadership, some exciting things are in the offing, and I am anxious to do what I can to help the cause."

Edwards, who has two teenage children, becomes the sixth head coach in the 36-year history of the FMU men's basketball program.

Francis Marion returns seven lettermen, but no starters, from last season's 12-16 squad that placed eighth during the Peach Belt Conference regular season.

(Source Francis Marion Sports Information)

Additional coverage courtesy of d2basketball.com.

BASEBALL POSTSEASON UPDATE--05/06/2006

The Gulf South Conference baseball tournament got underway at the USA Baseball Stadium in Millington, Tenn. Saturday morning. In the day's first game, East Division third seed North Alabama knocked off West Division second seed Ouachita Baptist 8-4.

For complete coverage of the GSC baseball championships, click here.

In Peach Belt Conference play, the final day of the regular season has come down to just a mere handful of games, as Armstrong Atlantic State clinched a berth in the PBC tournament with a 4-3 win over USC Aiken Friday night. Also on Friday, Lander held on to its hopes of advancing to postseason play with a 22-11 rout of North Georgia. The Bearcats must sweep the Saints, and hope for an AASU sweep of USCA to advance to next week's PBC tournament at Aiken, S.C.

MUST SEE GAMES--BASEBALL

Click on the highlighted team name (s) to listen to live audio, or view live stats.

#22 Armstrong Atlantic State (37-12-1, 13-11) at #19 USC Aiken (39-14, 13-11)

Friday 7:30 p.m. EDT

Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

The Pacers play host to the Pirates in a critical Peach Belt Conference series in Aiken, S.C. this weekend. The team that gets swept either could fall to the #6 seed, or out of next week's PBC tournament altogether.

USC UPSTATE ADVANCES TO PBC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

The field for the 2006 Peach Belt Conference baseball tournament next week is set, as USC Upstate split a doubleheader with #6 Francis Marion at Florence, S.C. Thursday. The Spartans won the opener 7-4 to clinch the sixth and final berth, only to have the Patriots bounce back, and win the nightcap 6-2. With the win, Upstate finished the regular season at 32-22 overall and 13-14 in PBC games.

For more on this story, click here.

MUST SEE GAMES--BASEBALL--05/03/2006

USC Upstate (31-20, 12-12) at Francis Marion (37-17, 17-7)

Wednesday 3 p.m. EDT

Thursday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

It's just that simple for the Spartans, really! Win just one game, and they're in the Peach Belt Conference tournament. If they get they swept by the Patriots, however, their season is over.
As for FMU, the Patriots enter this series knowing they'll finish the regular season in second place no matter what.

BREAKING NEWS-BOBCATS WIN PEACH BELT CONFERENCE TITLE

The Bobcats of Georgia College & State University won the 2006 Peach Belt Conference baseball regular season title with a 6-3 win over Armstrong Atlantic State University in the first game of a doubleheader Sunday in Savannah, Ga. The Bobcats rallied late Saturday to defeat the Pirates 12-6 in the first game of the three game series.

MUST SEE GAMES--04/29-30/2006

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

TOP BASEBALL SERIES:

Georgia College & State University (43-8, 19-5) at Armstrong Atlantic State (37-9-1, 13-8)

Saturday 3 p.m. EDT

Sunday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

The 14th ranked Pirates play host to the top ranked Bobcats in a battle of nationally-ranked teams in Savannah this weekend. GC&SU had its ten game win streak snapped with a tough loss to Erskine on Tuesday, while AASU also has won ten straight. The Bobcats could move one step closer to wrapping up the top seed in the Peach Belt Conference tournament by winning two of three games over the Pirates.

MUST SEE GAMES--BASEBALL--04/22-23/2006

NOTE: Click on the link of the highlighted team to listen to live audio, or view live stats.

North Alabama (34-15, 9-6) at West Alabama (31-16, 9-5)

Saturday 4 p.m. CDT (Doubleheader)

Sunday 1 p.m. CDT

The Tigers host the Lions in this key Gulf South Conference East Division "catfight". Although they lost two out of three games to Lincoln Memorial, the Tigers did save some face in a big way, as UWA banged out 24 hits in a 29-4 rout of the Railsplitters in the series finale last Sunday. As for the Lions, they'll try to rebound after swept by Valdosta State at home last weekend.

Francis Marion (33-11,15-6) at USC Aiken (38-12, 12-9)

Saturday 6:30 p.m. EDT

Sunday 1:30 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

Lander (28-18, 10-11) at Columbus State (33-15, 12-9)

Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

UNC Pembroke (29-19, 10-11) at Georgia College & State University (40-7, 16-5)

Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

Sunday 1 p.m. EDT

It's a "showdown weekend" in the Peach Belt Conference, as these three series will have huge implications as to which teams will make the conference tournament next month. The Bobcats and the Patriots both hope to stay at the top of the PBC standings by the end of the weekend, while the Braves and Bearcats both find themselves in must-win situations in order to stay in contention for postseason play.

GREENE RESIGNS AS CSU HEAD COACH

Monday, April 17, 2006 marked the end of an era at Columubus State University (Ga.), as Herbert Greene announced his resignation as the Cougars head men's basketball coach. Greene won 481 games in a head coaching career that dated back to 1981, when the institution was then known as Columbus College. Assistant coach Doug Branson will take over as interim coach for next season.

For more details, click here.

Analysis: The resignation of Herbert Greene as CSU men's basketball head coach brings an end to one of the greatest eras in Columbus State's athletic history, as he'll now focus on being the athletic director for the longtime Peach Belt Conference school. When he arrived at what was then Columbus College in 1981, the Cougars were barely getting adjusted to the NCAA Division II ranks, ESPN wasn't even two years old, and former President Ronald Reagan was less than a week away from being shot. In 25 years, Greene has helped build Columbus State into one of the strongest D-II athletic programs in the nation. As far as his coaching skills, the fact that he won more than 400 games at a school like CSU is nothing short of phenomenal in an era where most coaches don't even stay at the same place more than five years, if at all. One thing is for sure, whoever eventually does replace Greene on a permanent basis will definitely have some big shoes to fill.

CLAYTON STATE SETS SIGHTS ON COMMISSIONER'S CUP

Article courtesy of Clayton Neighbor (Ga.)

The Clayton State University athletic department is moving one step closer to claiming its first-ever Peach Belt Conference Commissioner's Cup, which is awarded to the best all-around athletic program in the PBC. For more on this story, please click here.

MUST SEE GAMES--BASEBALL/SOFTBALL--EASTER WEEKEND 2006

NOTE: Click on the link of the highlighted school to listen to live audio, or view live stats.

(L)--Live stats only.

TOP BASEBALL GAMES

Francis Marion (29-11, 12-6) at UNC Pembroke (L)--(28-16, 10-8)

Friday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)
Saturday 2 p.m. EDT

Armstrong Atlantic State (28-9-1, 7-8) at Columbus State (33-11, 12-6)

Friday 5 p.m. EDT
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

USC Aiken (35-10, 11-7) at Lander (L)--(26-16, 8-10)

Friday 6 p.m. EDT
Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

The Peach Belt Conference has three key series this weekend, as all of them will have a huge impact on who advances to the conference tournament at USC Aiken May 11-14. The Pirates and the Bearcats have the most at stake, as they are currently battling each other for the sixth and final spot in the PBC tournament.

TOP SOFTBALL GAMES

Columbus State (32-11, 13-3) at Augusta State (27-12, 12-4)--Saturday 1 p.m. EDT

The Jaguars host the Lady Cougars in a twin bill that could decide at least a share of the Peach Belt Conference regular season title. CSU can win the crown outright if it sweeps ASU. On the other hand, a split would force a three-way tie for the championship between Augusta, CSU, and Georgia College & State University.

MUST SEE GAMES--BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

NOTE: Click on the link of the highlighted school name to listen to live audio, or view live stats.

TOP BASEBALL SERIES

Armstrong Atlantic State (27-6-1, 7-5) at Francis Marion (25-11, 9-6)

Sunday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

Monday 2 p.m. EDT

The Patriots host the Pirates in a critical Peach Belt Conference series that was pushed back to Sunday because of the threat of severe weather in the Florence, S.C. area over the weekend. FMU enters the series ranked 12th in the nation at the NCAA Division II level, according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, while AASU is ranked 26th. The series is especially important for the Pirates, who lost two of three games at home to USC Upstate last weekend.

TOP SOFTBALL GAMES

USC Upstate (34-13-1, 9-5) at Armstrong Atlantic State (31-16, 8-4)--Saturday 1 p.m. EDT (Doubleheader)

The Lady Pirates host the Spartans in a key twin bill for positioning in the upcoming Peach Belt Conference tournament. Last Saturday (April 1), AASU split a doubleheader with current PBC leader Augusta State, losing the opener 4-0, but bouncing back to win the nightcap 11-7. On the other hand, Upstate hopes to rebound after being swept by Columbus State in their last PBC contests, also last Saturday. The Spartans lost both games 10-2 and 3-1 to the Lady Cougars, respectively.

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.