Since being eliminated from the S.E.C. tournament by Alabama on Thursday afternoon, the Diamond Dogs have been in a holding pattern while they await Sunday evening’s announcement of the 16 regional host sites for the N.C.A.A. tournament. The full 64-team playoff bracket will be announced Monday afternoon.
While the Red and Black’s hopes for a top-eight national seed were dashed by their poor performance in Hoover, Georgia will be a part of the N.C.A.A. postseason field for the ninth time overall and the fourth time under 2008 S.E.C. Coach of the Year David Perno.
The Classic City Canines are 35-22 all-time in the national baseball tourney, including marks of 21-9 in regional play and 11-3 in regional games played in Athens. The Bulldogs, who expect to host their fourth N.C.A.A. regional of the 21st century next weekend, have never lost an opening-round national playoff series at Foley Field.
On May 14, Baseball America’s Aaron Fitt declared the Diamond Dogs "near-locks to host [a] regional," but the Red and Black have lost four of their five games since then. Those of you interested in the baseball tournament selection process are encouraged to read Corn Nation’s 2007 interview with Damani Leech.
Go ‘Dawgs!