May 27, 2002

With a 43-18 record, Florida Atlantic University was hoping that 43 wins would be enough to receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Regionals. The team found out Monday their season will continue in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. FAU will join host Alabama along with Southeast Missouri State and Auburn at the four-team regional, one of 16 nationwide.

FAU, the no. 3 seed, is familiar with one team in its regional, the host school and no.1 seed, Alabama. The two teams met March 3 at the Hormel Foods Classic in Minneapolis, Minnesota when the Crimson Tide defeated FAU 8-3.

Southeast Missouri State is the no. 4 seed entering the regional and will play Alabama on Friday while FAU will take on no. 2 Auburn at 1:30 pm, Friday. Florida Atlantic last played Auburn in 1998 when they dropped two contests to the Tigers.

Regional action begins Friday and continues through Sunday. The winner of each regional will advance to the Super Regionals, June 7-9 and eventually to the College World Series in Omaha, June 14-22.

FAU has had an exciting season thus far after holding the nation's longest winning streak at 27 games. FAU will be making its third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last four years.

2002 Tuscaloosa Regional Bracket Friday, May 31 Game 1--1:30 pm--no.2 Auburn (34-24) vs no. 3 Florida Atlantic (43-18) Game 2-6:30 pm--no. 1 Alabama (48-13) vs no. 4 SE Missouri St. (36-18)

Saturday, June 1 Game 3-11:00 am--Game 1 Loser vs Game 2 Loser Game 4-3:00 pm--Game 1 Winner vs Game 2 Winner Game 5-7:00 pm--Game 3 Winner vs Game 4 Loser

Sunday, June 2 Game 6-2:00 pm--Game 4 Winner vs Game 5 Winner Game 7-If Necessary (45 minutes after the conclusion of Game 6)