CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Walters State (Tenn.) slugged its way to 55 wins this season and the No. 1 seed in this year's Alpine Bank Junior College World Series. The Senators (55-6-1) boast a .389 team batting average and have hit 125 home runs.

They'll play the second game of the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series at noon at Suplizio Field, facing No. 10 Eastern Oklahoma State (31-25).

Defending national champion Blinn College (Texas) drew the No. 2 seed and faces No. 9 Lake Land at 3 p.m. Saturday. The Buccaneers are 45-13, the Lakers 42-19.

Seeded third is first-time qualifier Florida SouthWestern State (44-15), which plays No. 8 Salt Lake (43-10) in Saturday's feature game at 7:30 p.m.

Fourth-seeded Johnson County (Kan.) opens the tournament against No. 7 McLennan (Texas). The Cavaliers bring a 51-11 record to Grand Junction, with the Highlanders of McLennan 45-16.

In the final first-round game, scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, No. 5 Shelton State (Ala.) faces No. 6 Florence-Darlington Tech (S.C.). Shelton's Bucs are 48-12, the Stingers from Flo-Dar are 51-10.

Tickets for the JUCO World Series are on sale here, with tickets for Friday night's banquet at the Grand Junction Convention Center available here.