Top-seeded Tigers enter their first SAA Tournament
 
Trinity entered last weekend needing just one more win than Rhodes to clinch their first SAA regular season title. Despite the series loss to Centre, that's exactly what happened. Trinity dropped their first two games against Centre in walk-off fashion, losing 8-7 and 13-12. The Tigers won the third game of their series 14-8, and that win alone proved to be enough for the regular season title.  
 
Preview 
 
With Trinity's series finale win against Centre and Berry's sweep of Rhodes, the Tigers were crowned SAA regular season champions. Along with a trophy, Trinity received the number one seed in the SAA Tournament that begins on Thursday. Trinity's first game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. and games will continue over the weekend. Here are the teams they could face. 
 
On the Rhodes College Lynx: The Lynx controlled their own destiny for the number one seed heading into last weekend, but were swept by the Berry Vikings. Now, Rhodes enters the tournament as the two-seed and still owns a coveted first round bye. Rhodes was coming off a series victory against Trinity when they entered their regular season finale against Berry. The Tigers and Lynx exchanged blow out victories in the first two games, while Rhodes took the third game 5-4. Trinity rued the eighth and ninth innings of that game, where they left the bases loaded in each frame. If Trinity and Rhodes do face off in the tournament, the Tigers will once again have to face first-year Corbin Martens, who broke the Rhodes single-season home runs record in game two against Trinity. 
 
On the Berry College Vikings: After their sweep against Rhodes, the Vikings elevated themselves to the third seed in the SAA Tournament with a 12-9 SAA record. That was their second consecutive sweep to close the regular season, and they have won seven games in a row. This winning streak comes on the heels of a ten game stretch where the team only won two games. The ten game stretch started against Trinity, as the Vikings were swept at home in three games. Berry lost the final two games of that series by a run each. Despite not having a first round bye, Berry does have home-field advantage with the tournament being in Rome, GA. 
 
On the Centre College Colonels: Centre enters the SAA Tournament with a 11-10 conference record and are the number four seed. The Colonels have a strong 27-13 overall record, which was backed by an even stronger 25-5 record on their home field. With 25 of their 27 wins coming at home this season, the Colonels will need to find a recipe to win on the neutral site. Centre enters the tournament with momentum as well, as they had won six straight games prior to the finale against Trinity. 
 
On the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels: Oglethorpe finished their regular season two games above .500 overall, and with an 11-10 SAA record. They concluded the year by winning two of their final three series, including a series win against Sewanee last weekend. The team will try to keep their offensive momentum going, as they have scored at least seven runs in four straight games. Two of the Stormy Petrels' 11 SAA wins came in a series victory against Trinity earlier this year, including their comeback victory in game two of the series. 
 
On the Sewanee Tigers: Sewanee is making its second straight SAA Tournament appearance, and are the six seed in the tournament this year. The team is coming off a series loss to Oglethorpe, but swept their series against Southwestern the week before that. Sewanee fell in their series against Trinity two games to one, despite having at least a two-run lead in every inning. One thing to watch out for this season with Sewanee has been the bunt, as they have the 13th most sacrifice bunts in the nation. 
 
Next week
 
Trinity will need to win the SAA tournament in order to secure a spot in an NCAA regional. If they fail to do so, the only way Trinity will make the postseason is if they take an at-large spot. If Trinity manages to grab a spot in the NCAA postseason, they will play in a regional starting on May 15th this coming weekend.