March mindedness

Tis the season of March madness--in like a lion, out like a lamb. Not only NCAA basketball, but also high school basketball tournaments and college baseball and softball. (Not to mention men's tennis and golf, and women's tennis and golf.)

For Carbondalliers, the madness led to the local high school Terriers beating Simeon Academy on Friday, but falling to Peoria and Aurora West on Saturday to take 4th place in Illinois State AA championship series.

Also this weekend, Saluki women's softball swept the series vs. Northern Iowa, making the team 10-0 at West Stadium so far this season. Next: a doubleheader vs. Southeast Missouri State at West Stadium on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

I didn't see any of the women's games, nor did I witness the Saluki men's baseball team (3-13) upset No. 8 Notre Dame on Saturday, but I did get over to Abe Martin Field to catch some of today's game vs. the nationally-ranked Fighting Irish*, which they lost .

Man, with the low-30s wind, it was nippy at Abe Martin Field, but the Salukis failed to nip visitors, losing 5-3, despite the heroics of team captain Greg Andrews, who had "a stellar two-game series against the Irish, hitting a blistering .750 with four runs scored, two home runs and four RBI. Also, his homer today marked the 21st of his career, which put him in a tie for ninth with Aaron Jones (1996-97) on SIU's all-time career home run list. He has homered in each of the Dawgs' last four games."

SIU continues its seven-game homestand on Tuesday, when it also hosts Southeast Missouri State at 2 p.m. I wonder if Greg will hit #22.

*Blogitor's note: What kind of mascot name is "Fighting Irish" in today's "politically correct" day and age? A pugnacious lepricaun? Why not "Angry Italians" or "Bellicose Brazilians" or "Irate Iraqis"? Readers and comedians are invited to come up with their own amusing variations.