Saints Baseball

After winning the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference title the last 10 years, it shouldn't come as much of surprise to anyone that the College of St. Scholastica baseball team is favored to win the conference championship again this year. Last week the preseacon coaches poll was released with the Saints getting 49 out of a possible 50 points, making them the team to beat in the UMAC. This is the third consecutive year the Saints have been favored to win the conference.

The Saints have been practicing inside the wellness center for almost a month now, waiting to take the playing field. It isn't exactly ideal baseball conditions inside the wellness center, but atleast they have somewhere to practice. Before the opening of the wellness center, the Saints had to have their early season practices inside the Reif Gymnasium next door. The wellness center gives them much more space and a better playing surface to get prepared for the upcoming season.

The wait for the season to start isn't much longer. The Saints open up tomorrow, February 28th, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis against Bethel College. Junior outfielder/pitcher Blake Eller says, " they (Bethel) should provide a good test for us, they were picked 3rd or 4th in the MIAC (Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference), we'll be ready to go though." The Saints return to the Metrodome on March 5th when they will play Wisconsin-Stevens Point and St. Thomas. Head Coach John Baggs said in a preseason interview, "we will know a lot more about our NCAA chances on March 6th," referring to their chances of making the NCAA tournament.

The Saints look to be headed for another successful year, so try and make it out to Wade Stadium and see a game as soon as the snow melts. The home opener is scheduled for April 17th against Northland College.