Over the weekend, the Chippewas improved their record to 4-13 by winning
three of five games in the Akron Invitational, following a tough stretch
of games in the South. Now, with the Mid-American Conference season on the
horizon, the Chippewas will look to contain Saginaw Valley and its potent
offense.

"They’re good, they’re very offensive oriented," Central coach
Judd Folske said. "They’ll pull the trigger. They had a 27-2 win over
Alma. Plus they’ve got quality pitching."

To combat the Cardinal offense Folske said the Chippewas will use a multitude
of pitchers.

Adam Bolthouse, 0-1 record, 3.68 earned run average, and Chad Pleiness,
1-1 record, 8.64 ERA, need the most work, according to Folske, and will
see significant action on the mound. Dan Schell, Eric Kipling, Wayne Hesselink,
Kevin Smoot and Phil Roberts will also be ready for duty, if needed.

Central will also need to bring the bats if it wants to keep pace with
the Cardinals. With only three players hitting over .300, the big concern
for Folske will be producing runs.

"Hopefully our offense gets on track," he said. "We’re
just not getting RBI’s. We’re leaving too many guys on base."

Jake Sanborn has been the most consistent from the plate to start the
season. Sanborn is second on the team with a .314 average, has two home
runs and has 12 RBI.

First baseman Matt Keim has provided the Chippewas with power in the
lineup. After entering the season with only five career homers, Keim has
stepped up and banged four out of the park, including three at last weekend’s
Akron Invitational.

With its first 18 games coming on the road, Central will welcome a game
in the friendly confines of Theunissen Stadium. A dose of warmer temperatures
can’t hurt either, as the Chippewas look to take advantage of its home field
with a large crowd.

"We’ve been on the road for 18 games, so we’re anxious to be home,"
Folske said. "I don’t worry about the weather, because the weather
doesn’t bother me and it doesn’t bother the players, as long as it’s dry."

CMU lost to Michigan on Tuesday, 7-3.

Once again the Chippewa bats went cold with only six hits.

Hudson Whitmore went 2-4 with 2 RBI and Sanborn knocked in the other
Central run.

Mike Fawcett, Kevin Smoot and Sage Jackson saw action from the mound
for CMU. Fawcett took the loss, dropping to 1-3 and Jackson pitched two
scoreless innings, striking out three while giving up three hits. The loss
drops the Chippewas to 4-14.

The greatest sporting spectacle in all the world. It started this past
weekend with ESPN’s Championship Week and culminates with the Final Four
in late March. If you are a basketball junkie (and I profess to be one
of the biggest) this month is a dream.

How can you beat it? On a nightly basis, America gets the chance to watch
one million basketball games featuring teams from all over the country.

Over the course of the next few weeks, fans will be introduced to such
obscure schools as Weber State and George Mason.

Students from these schools will flood the court after winning their
prospective conference tournaments, proclaiming themselves number one,
and calling for the opportunity to take on Duke in the NCAA tournament.
You’ve got to love the pageantry.

I’ve never really been into politics, but if by some freak accident I
was ever elected president, I would declare March Madness a national holiday.
If there were ever a reason to break out the egg nog and exchange holiday
cheer, it would have to be for basketball.

Think about it. To have an entire month devoted to college hoops. Even
if you don’t give a hoot about basketball, wouldn’t you like a month off
anyway?

Besides, employers and professors need to understand that no one can
go to work or class when you need to spend the entire day in front of
the television taking in all the games.

At least the leaders of our esteemed university have got their wits about
them and scheduled spring break around the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament
so no one has to miss any classes.

For this year at least, the Final Four should be declared the Duke Invitational.
Let’s be honest with ourselves people, Duke is cruising through one of
the toughest schedules in America.

Except for a fluke, last second loss to Cincinnati back in November,
the Blue Devils have an unblemished record. To crown the Dukies is inevitable.

Now that I’ve got that business out of the way, I’ve polished off my
crystal ball and will supply you with some very valuable information -
my Final Four picks. (Caution: Use these picks at your own risk).

·Duke: Like I mentioned before, the Blue Devils have way too much
talent to be beaten. When your 10th man is a McDonald’s All-American,
it’s pretty much academic.

·Michigan State: I make this pick despite being scoffed at by
my fellow workers every time I mention them as a Final Four team. The
way I look at it, State is nearly undefeated in arguably the best conference
in the country. (Sorry Gargaro) Plus, they play outstanding defense.

·St. John’s: I pick the Red Storm because they have given two
of the better teams in the country, Duke and UConn, a run for their money
before falling short. With Ron Artest, Bootsy Thornton and company, SJU
surely has enough talent to win four games.

·Utah: I guess you could say this is my sleeper pick of the four.
The Utes haven’t lost since December and feature the Player-of-the-Year
in Andre Miller. Miller almost single-handedly led the Utes to the title
last year, so why can’t he do it again?

With that said, let the Madness begin. Or should I say Merry Madness?