March 10, 2008

SLIAC Basketball is officially over. The Fontbonne University men made a good showing in the NCAA Division III Tournament, losing a tough 65-62 battle to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Maryville University's women's squad also lost in first round NCAA Tourney action, as they lost to Illinois Wesleyan, 111-77.

The end of basketball season marks the beginning of spring, and hopefully warmer weather. Westminster College's baseball squad is off to a strong start at 4-2 after defeating both Robert Morris College-Springfield and Earlham College in double header action. The Maryville University baseball team is the only other SLIAC school to have recorded a victory thus far. The Saints defeated Tri-State University in a double header at the RussMatt Invitational in Tampa, Fla.

Softball has seen much more time on the field so far this spring, with Webster University, Eureka College and Maryville combining for 26 games played thus far. The Gorloks stand at 4-4 overall after picking up four victories in their first two days at the Tucson Invitational Spring Games in Tucson, Ariz. Maryville is 6-8 overall and recently posted a 3-3 record at the Sun West Invitational in Orange, Calif. The Saints recorded two victories in extra innings, including a 10-7 win versus Chapman University, who was nationally ranked in the NFCA Pre-Season Poll. Eureka has one win, after splitting a twinbill with Hendrix College in their season opener.

Men's and women's tennis are just starting to get their seasons rolling. Some SLIAC schools have played a few matches, but Westminster's women are the lone tennis squad to have recorded a victory. The Blue Jays defeated Stephens College, 5-4.