By now it should come as no surprise when you hear that once again, UT Permian Basin athletics has achieved another historic feat.  

On Sunday (May 12), the UTPB baseball team found out that they earned the No. 5 seed in the NCAA South Central Regional tournament – making them the seventh sport at UTPB to make it to the NCAA tournament this year. Even better, with this success, the baseball team breaks a 15-year drought of making an appearance in the NCAA tournament.  

"To be the five seed, it's awesome for our guys," said Head Baseball Coach Gabe Grinder. "Just to be in the NCAA tournament at this point from where we were two years ago is great. I'm happy for the dudes because they believed in something that wasn't here and they had a vision for what we could make happen. It takes a special person and team to do that. I think it's a great reward for these guys, to be playing baseball a little bit longer this year." 

Since Lubbock Christian earned the No. 1 seed, they will be hosting the South Central Regional tournament #1, meaning the Falcons are headed back to Lubbock. 

"We are fired up. I like our bracket. We know Regis is a good team and we have had all week to prepare," said Coach Grinder. "We've played this team six times. They know us, and we know them. Now it's going to be hey can you prepare for Regis and find a way to beat those guys. We like our bracket, and our guys are excited to get going." 

The NCAA South Central Regional bracket is divided up into two brackets: #1 and #2. UTPB, Regis and Lubbock Christian are in bracket #1. Colorado Mesa, West Texas A&M, and Angelo State are in bracket #2. 

The Falcons will kick off the first round of the NCAA South Central Regional double elimination tournament, taking on No. 4 Regis on Friday (May 17) at 2 p.m. The loser of that game will face No. 1 Lubbock Christian that same day at 6 p.m. 

Additionally, The Falcons are 3-3 against Lubbock Christian this season and will face Regis for the first time since making the move to Division II. 

NCAA South Central Regional #1 Schedule 

Friday, May 17

• Game 1: (4) Regis vs. (5) Texas Permian Basin | 2 p.m. 

• Game 2: (1) Lubbock Christian vs. Loser of Game 1 | 6 p.m. 

Saturday, May 18

• Game 3: Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 4 p.m. 

Sunday, May 19

• Game 4: Loser of Game 2 vs. Winner of Game 3 | 2 p.m. 

• Game 5 if necessary: Loser of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 30 min after Game 4