The defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) champion Bethune-Cookman Wildcats earned the top seed in the 2008 MEAC Baseball Championship. The tournament begins May 15-18 at the Marty L. Miller Baseball Field on the campus of Norfolk (Va.) State University.
The Wildcats dominated conference play en route to the 2008 MEAC regular season title with a 17-1 conference record, 33-20 overall. Winners of 11 MEAC baseball crowns, Bethune-Cookman will compete for their third consecutive title.
North Carolina A&T tallied a 11-6 conference mark, 27-27 overall to secure the second seed. Florida A&M and Delaware State finished the regular season tied at 11-7 in conference play. The Rattlers of FAMU secured the number three seed while the Delaware State Hornets claimed the four seed following the conference tie-breaker.
Norfolk State finished fifth and the Hawks of Maryland Eastern Shore finished in the sixth and final position for the second straight year.
Only the top six teams qualify to compete for the MEAC tournament title. The winner will earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Division I Baseball Regional scheduled for May 30- June 2. Coppin State (0-18) was eliminated from tournament play based on their conference finish.
The 2008 MEAC Baseball Championship Tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, with Bethune-Cookman against Maryland Eastern Shore. North Carolina A&T drew Norfolk State for game two at 2 p.m. while Florida A&M will take on Delaware State in game three beginning at 6 p.m. The championship game is set for Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m.
Admission is $5 per day for adults and $3 for students, military and seniors with identification. Tickets prices are discounted for the entire tournament at $15 for adults and $9 for students, seniors and military with identification.
2008 MEAC Baseball Seedings Conference, Overall
1. Bethune-Cookman 17-1, 33-20
2. North Carolina A&T 11-6, 27-27
3. Florida A&M 11-7, 19-20*
4. Delaware State 11-7, 16-31*
5. Norfolk State 7-10, 21-22
6. Md. Eastern Shore 4-12, 6-48
*seeding based on MEAC tie-breaker