May 25, 2009

From Army Athletic Communications

WEST POINT, N.Y. - Patriot League champion Army has visited two of the meccas of college baseball during its last two trips to the NCAA Regionals, traveling to Louisiana State and Florida State in 2004 and 2005, respectively. The Black Knights learned Monday they will travel to another of college baseball's most hallowed grounds when they battle Texas at the Austin Regional on Friday.

The field of 64 for the NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament was announced on ESPN, Monday at 12:30 p.m. It took little time for Army's faithful to learn where the Black Knights were headed as the four-team Austin Regional was the first site revealed.

In addition to top-seeded Texas (41-13-1), second-seeded Texas State (41-15) and third-seeded Boston College (33-24) will join No. 4 seed Army at the Austin Regional.

In the midst of one of its most successful seasons in school history, the Black Knights (34-19) will head to Austin, Texas, on Wednesday to gear for their first-round matchup with the highly regarded Longhorns. Texas is currently ranked fifth nationally by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball magazines and garnered the overall No. 1 national seed in the 2009 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament. Texas State and Boston College will square off in the other first-round contest.

It is the second time a Patriot League representative has been sent to the Austin Regional, with Bucknell losing games against Texas and Arkansas in 2003. That is the only matchup for a Patriot League team against the Longhorns in regional play. Patriot League teams have won four games in NCAA Regional play, including Bucknell's upset of No. 4 seed Florida State in the opening game of last year's regional. Army owns one of the four victories, an 8-5 win over South Alabama in a loser's bracket game in 2005. Army is making its fourth NCAA appearance as a Patriot League member, tying Bucknell for the most in League history. Army is making its third trip in the past six years, and fourth this decade.

The four-team, double-elimination tournament begins Friday and continues through Monday (if necessary). The winner of the Austin Regional will advance to face the winner of the Fort Worth Regional. Top-seeded Texas Christian (36-16) will serve as host for that regional, which includes No. 2 seed Texas A&M (36-22), No. 3 seed Oregon State (35-17) and fourth-seeded Wright State (33-28).

AUSTIN REGIONAL SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)

Friday, May 29
Game 1: #3 Boston College vs. #2 Texas State - 2 p.m.
Game 2: #4 Army vs. #1 Texas - 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 30
Game 3: Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game 1 - 1 p.m.
Game 4: Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 1 - 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 31
Game 5: Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 - 1 p.m.
Game 6: Regional Championship Game (Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 5) - 7 p.m.

Monday, June 1
Game 7: Second Regional Championship Game - 2 p.m. **Played if Game 5 winner wins Game 6**