Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Baseball: Davidson

Davidson @ Western Carolina 
GAME 51 -53 | MAY 15-16 | 5:00. - 2:00 - 5:30 PM ET
Cullowhee, N.C. | Hennon Stadium
Catamount Sports Network | Live Stats | Live Video


On Thursday and Friday of this week, the surprise Southern Conference baseball leader, Davidson (28-14, 17-5 SoCon) comes to Cullowhee for the final conference baseball series between the two schools as conference mates. The Cats lead the all-time series, 88-26, which dates back to 1977. Western has claimed the last 13 series, Davidson last won a three-game series in 2000, but has never accomplished the feat in Cullowhee.

This series takes on even more meaning as the two teams will be playing for the SoCon Regular Season Championship. I say surprising leader because in 2013 the Wildcats finished with a 12-18 SoCon record, in 2012 they were 8-22, and in 2011 the Wildcats finished 8-19.  This season, the 28-14 Wildcats have matched their single season wins total at 28 overall. Due to a conference scheduling quirk this season, the Wildcats started conference play a week earlier than the Catamounts, therefore have sat in the conference leader position most of the season.

It all comes down to this weekend's series, with the Southern Conference Regular Season Championship as the prize, along with the #1 seed in the conference tournament. Whoever wins the series, wins the championship, the loser will receive the #2 seed in the tournament. The Wildcats are 17-5 in conference play, giving them a half game lead on the 17-6 Catamounts.

To repeat as the regular season champion, the Cats must win two games. In a full three-game series, Davidson will also need to win two, to win the championship. However, with potential inclement weather on Thursday, should the Thursday game be cancelled, and the series ends up becoming a 2 game series, the Wildcats will need only to win one of the two games to claim the Championship.

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