Trisden Williams has a 1 p.m. World Civilizations class starting on Monday at the University of Nebraska-Omaha that he may not attend.

The Pinnacle Bank outfielder is hoping he won’t make class that day — his first day of college — but his excuse will be better than most used by college students each semester. Williams hopes to skip class because he’ll be playing in the American Legion World Series.

Williams and seven of his teammates are expected to begin college classes in the next week to 10 days. While the thought of falling behind in classes and getting moved into dorms is weighing on their minds, the players know that playing in the World Series is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and they say they’ve been living a dream the past month. (For a Q&A with Williams, click here.)

And, boy, has it been a good dream. Pinnacle (43-12) has not lost since the game before the area tournament. The Lincoln Southwest team swept the area, state and regional tournaments — 15 straight games.

Pinnacle plays Sumter, S.C., (32-6) in the first round of the World Series on Friday morning in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The championship game of the eight-team double-elimination tournament is Tuesday.

“I don’t think it will set in what we’ve accomplished until it’s all over,” Pinnacle coach Doug Kaltenberger said. “They talk about how we’re the first Lincoln team to make the World Series since the 1955 Optimists. Well, the next time a team makes it they’ll say it’s the first time since 2006, when the Lincoln Southwest team made it.”

Williams says his family has been in contact with administrators and the baseball coach at UNO, and likely will move some of his belongings into his dorm room before they travel to Cedar Rapids. He’s unsure if he’ll return to Lincoln before starting college.

Seven of Pinnacle’s eight graduated players plan to play college baseball. Andy Cotton will miss some scheduled team activities with the Nebraska baseball team this weekend, but has received the blessing of coach Mike Anderson to stay with the team.

“I talked to Coach Anderson after we won the regional on Monday and he sounded really excited and said to just keep winning, and not to worry about missing anything in Lincoln,” Cotton said.

Some perks have come along with the postseason success. The American Legion flew the team to Denver and bused them to Casper, Wyo., for the regional. Pinnacle was also treated to a banquet and activities while there.

But because the Legion pays for travel, the team did not get to return to Lincoln after winning the regional on Monday afternoon. Instead, they did some rock climbing and sightseeing near Casper on Tuesday. Then they had a 6 a.m. flight to Cedar Rapids, including a stop in Minneapolis, on Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, Pinnacle continued its preparations and began taking part in festivities for the World Series in Cedar Rapids.

“It’s kind of fun getting paid meal money every day we win, flying and getting free hotels,” Jereme Johnson said. “I guess it’s a little taste of the major leagues.

“That stuff is great, but we look forward to getting on the field and trying to win ballgames … that’s what we’re here for.”

Williams says the response to Pinnacle’s success has been great despite being so far from home. Pinnacle had a strong contingent of friends and family in Casper, and more are expected at the World Series this weekend.

Before the regional championship game, Kaltenberger posted a sheet of more than 50 responses from a message board on the Casper Star-Tribune Web site wishing the players good luck.

The responses were hanging in the dugout for the championship, and each player read them before the game.

“Some of the girlfriends have been calling and telling us how Lincoln is buzzing because of how well we’ve been playing,” Williams said. “I guess what we’ve accomplished is the talk of the town.”