Sunday, May 20, 2007

DELAND, Fla. - The Atlantic Sun Championship presented by Progress Energy begins on Wednesday with three games being played on day one at Melching Field at Conrad Park on the campus of Stetson University.

The No. 1 seed Stetson Hatters open their quest for a third Atlantic Sun Title in a row against a newcomer to A-Sun postseason play. The No. 6 seed Lipscomb Bisons make their frist appearance in the Atlantic Sun tournament Wednesday at 7 p.m. versus the host Hatters. The Hatters aim to complete the conference's first three-peat since UCF did it from 1995-1997. Gardner-Webb beat No 1 seed Troy as the six seed in 2005. Jacksonville was the last six seed to win the championship, in 2003.

The Mercer Bears enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed for the second year in a row. Mercer lost twice to eventual champion, Stetson, in 2006. This year the Bears will take on the No 5 seed Gardner-Webb Bulldogs. Gardner-Webb secured a berth into the tourney in the final week of the regular season thanks to Mercer's sweep of ETSU. The Bulldogs made the A-Sun tournament from 2003-2005, but return to postseason play after a year hiatus.

The No. 3 seed Belmont Bruins are making their second appearance in the conference tournament. The Bruins went 1-2 in 2003 as the No. 4 seed. Their opponent this year is preseason favorite and No. 4 seed, Jacksonville. The Dolphins are making a fifth appearance in the A-Sun tournament. Jacksonville won the championship in 2003 as the No. 6 seed, the last year Belmont participated.

Stetson, Mercer and Jacksonville have all won multiple A-Sun tourney titles. The Hatters lead the way with six titles. Mercer has won three titles, the most recent coming in 1983. Jacksonville's most recent of their two titles came in 2003.

Every game of the championship will be videostreamed (available on a subscription basis) through a partnership of Stetson University, XoS and the Atlantic Sun Conference. Fans can purchase a subscription for the entire championship for just $9.95.