May 26, 2008

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Atlantic 10 champion Charlotte will face South Carolina at 2:00pm on May 30 in the opening round of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship as the 64-team field was announced on Monday on ESPN.

The 49ers edged Xavier, 4-3 (11 innings), in dramatic fashion on May 24 to become the first A-10 program to win consecutive league crowns since Virginia Tech in 1999-00.

Third-seeded Charlotte will square off against the Gamecocks (38-21), in Raleigh, N.C., while host North Carolina State meets No. 4 James Madison in the double-elimination Raleigh Regional. The 49ers won a pair of contests in last year's NCAA tourney versus North Carolina State but dropped a pair of games to South Carolina. This marks Charlotte's second consecutive trip to the postseason and fourth in program annals.

Led by sophomore designated hitter Rob Lyerly, the Most Outstanding Player of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Championship, the 49ers (43-14) are one of just 27 teams out of 286 Division I programs this season to win at least 40 games.

Each of the 16 regionals feature four teams, playing a double-elimination format. The regionals are scheduled to be conducted from Friday, May 30, to Monday, June 2 (if necessary). Selection of the eight super regional hosts will be announced on www.ncaa.com, Monday, June 2, at approximately 11:00pm (EST).

The 62nd Men's College World Series begins play Saturday, June 14, at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.

Raleigh Regional
Friday, May 30
#2 South Carolina vs. #3 Charlotte - 2:00pm
#1 NC State vs. #4 James Madison - 7:00pm

Saturday, May 31
Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 - 2:00pm
Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 - 7:00pm

Sunday, June 1
Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 - 1:00pm
Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5 - 6:00pm

Monday, June 2
Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (If necessary) - 1:00pm