The third-seeded Missouri State Bears will be meeting the second-seeded UCF Knights in the first round of the 2012 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship on Friday afternoon in Miami. It will be the first time that the Bears have played in a NCAA D1 Baseball Championship game since 2003.

After posting an impressive 39-20 record during the regular season, Missouri State will be making its eighth appearance in the NCAA D1 Championship this year. The first round consists of double-elimination games that will be played through Monday, beginning with Friday's game against UCF.

Expect some impressive pitching from the Bears in the tournament, as they lead Division I in team ERA, shutouts and strikeouts this season. The other two teams in their regional bracket are the top-seeded Stony Brook Seawolves and the fourth-seeded Miami Hurricanes.

Game Date & Time: Friday, June 1, 1:00 p.m. CT

Location: Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, Miami, Fla.

Radio: KBFL 1060 AM

For a complete 2012 NCAA Baseball Tournament bracket, click here.

For more on this series, stick with SB Nation St. Louis.