Checking in on baseball season

Fourth-ranked SUNY-Cortland defeated Ithaca College 9-5 today at Freeman Field in a battle of two of the premier Division III baseball schools in the northeast. As has been the trend over the last few years in the Route 13 rivalry, the Red Dragons emerged victorious.

Ithaca, which now sits at 20-7 overall, is still in position for a deep playoff run, while Cortland remains one of the favorites to win the National Championship. A quick look at the latest rankings shows the top few teams in the country, including undefeated Trinity University and Carthage College. Defending National Champion Kean University sits in the No. 8 spot, having already lost six games.

Wrapping up basketball season

Congratulations to Washington University and Howard Payne University. The two schools claimed the National Championships in men’s and women’s basketball, respectively, this season.

I had pegged Howard Payne as my National Champ on the women’s side, which helps explain why my bracket was impressive. The men’s side? Not so much. On the D3hoops.com Pick ‘Em, I finished with 120 points (13th overall) on the women’s side, but only 75 points (134th overall) on the men’s side. Overall, they’re in much better shape than my Division I men’s bracket, so I guess that’s positive.

But seeing how it’s April and all, it’s time to get into some baseball. Check back this week as I update on early-season news around Division III baseball.