CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Playoff season has started in junior college baseball, and Walters State (Tenn.) opens as the No. 1 team in the nation.

The Senators (49-6-1) won their Tennessee Community College Athletic Association/Region 7 tournament opener 12-2 over Jackson State on Monday, May 5, and face fourth-seeded Southwest Tennessee on May 6. The tournament is being played at Chattanooga State, with the championship game set for Tuesday evening. The if-necessary game is Wednesday, May 7.

LSU Eunice remains No. 2 in the nation at 51-3, with Weatherford College (Texas), 44-11, up two spots to third. Johnson County (Kan.) moved into the top 5, ranked No. 4 at 45-11, just ahead of defending national champion Blinn College (Texas), 40-12.

The final four teams in the South Atlantic playoffs in Florida have been determined, with No. 22 State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota facing No. 6 Florida Southwestern on Friday, May 9. In the late game at Port Charlotte, Fla., the No. 24 College of Central Florida plays No. 11 Gulf Coast State in the opening round of the double-elimination tournament that runs through Sunday, May 11.

District playoffs run May 9-18 across the country to determine the 10 teams that will play May 24-31 in the Alpine Bank Junior College World Series at Suplizio Field. Purchase tickets here.