AMERICUS — It was first thought Southland could win Friday at Deerfield and sow up the 3-AAA baseball title.

But the situation has become clear.

If the Raiders win today, there will be a third game for the region championship.

Coach David Cochran said two things can happen after a coin flip takes place. He said the winner could either choose to be the home team and bat first or vice versa, be the away team and bat last.

“At least it’s settled on the field,” he said. “Putting the second game as more important of a two game series shouldn’t be that way. I would like it to be what we thought it was, sure. But the fairness of it, it should be settled on the field.”

At first, it was thought the scenario would be the same as it is for basketball — whoever wins the last contest of the two games would be the region champion.

So the Raiders have to win two games to claim the crown. Michael Swain takes the hill today with a 5-0 record.

The Knights escaped with a 5-2 win in eight innings in Americus on April 18 when an error eventually led to a three-run triple.

“We know it’s going to be a gigantic task playing in their backyard being the top team,” said Cochran. “Our guys feel like they’ve gained a lot of confidence over the last two weeks, especially with a big win over Westfield. We’ve got to have pitching and defense first, and we have to do a better job of putting the ball on the bat in clutch situations.”

Today’s game is slated to start at 4:30 p.m. in Albany.