SEMO BASEBALL TEAM GOES TO NCAA TOURNEY

The transition from Division II to Division I of the NCAA is not easy for any university. Many of the roadblocks are put there by the NCAA to discourage the process. Schools with extraordinary Division II teams find themselves struggling as they launch into a larger division.

But persistence pays off.

Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team made history last week. They became the first Southeast team to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The sixth-seeded Indians traveled to the Midwest Regional in Wichita, Kan.

The outcome wasn't exactly what Indian fans had hoped. The team pulled top-seeded Wichita State on Thursday and fell 7-4. The Indians were eliminated Friday 14-5 by second-seeded Georgia Tech.

But the disappointment should not overshadow the accomplishment. Their historic season ended with an commendable 32-24 record. And fans will never forget the fact that the baseball Indians accomplished something that no other Southeast team had done. Coach Mark Hogan and the entire team should forever relish this achievement.

Fans can hope this is just the start of NCAA tournament play for Southeast teams.