The Augusta GreenJackets' locker room shifted into celebration mode for the second time in eight days Friday night.
The first party came after Augusta clinched a playoff spot at home on Aug. 28; Friday's road win over the Asheville Tourists completed a 2-0 sweep in the South Atlantic League Southern Divisional Series to spark another festive atmosphere.
While handshakes, high fives and hugs filled the visitor's locker room at McCormick Field in Asheville, it didn't take long for the players to realize a bigger celebration may be in the near future.
"We can't go crazy yet. We have to stay focused on the task at hand," GreenJackets starting pitcher Scott Barnes said. "Just win a championship -- that's the goal."
The GreenJackets advanced to the SAL Championship Series for the second time in three years.
They spent Saturday playing the waiting game.
While the SAL Southern Division series wrapped up Friday, the Northern Division series between the West Virginia Power and the Lake County Captains went to a deciding Game 3 on Saturday night.
No one on the GreenJackets' roster offered a preference of opponent for the championship series. No matter which team claims the Northern Division title, the GreenJackets will head into the finals with an extra day's rest over their opponent.
"I think anytime you don't have to expend all your energy in a series it's going to help," GreenJackets manager Andy Skeels said. "It's the end of a long season, and an extra day won't hurt."
The GreenJackets, who will play host to the Northern Division champions in Games 1 and 2 on Monday and Tuesday, won't get home field advantage in the best-of-five series.
But they will have the edge of a rested pitching staff.
Starters Madison Bumgarner and Scott Barnes went eight and seven innings, respectively, in the divisional round, which limited the GreenJackets' bullpen to only three innings of work.
The bullpens for West Virginia and Lake County have thrown more innings than their starters through the first two games of their series.
Reach Billy Byler at (706) 823-3216 or billy.byler@augustachronicle.com.
CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Augusta will face the winner of the West Virginia/Lake County series in Game 1 of the SAL Championship Series on Monday. The opener of the best-of-five series is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

