THE LATEST LINE: PLAYING IN A REGIONAL COULD OPEN DOORS FOR INDIANS

Realistically speaking, Southeast Missouri State University's baseball team was not going to win the NCAA Midwest Regional in Wichita, Kan.

Maybe, if everything had broken right, the Indians could have won a game. But they simply didn't have the overall pitching depth to actually challenge for a regional title, which is generally the case among the lower-to-mid-level Division I programs.

But, even though the Indians went two-and-out, just qualifying for the regional was certainly a major step and a major accomplishment for SEMO's young Division I baseball program.

As far as opening recruiting doors, SEMO coach Mark Hogan was quick to point out that making the NCAA Tournament field of 48 teams could prove to be a major boon for his program.

By earning a regional berth, the Indians in the future could have a shot at landing the types of players that normally wind up at bigger programs -- the types of players a program like SEMO's needs in order to not simply qualify for a regional but to actually make some noise in one.

In any event, here's one final tip of the cap to the Indians for a tremendous season.

* Being in a car for the nearly 600-mile trip to and from Wichita (each way) notwithstanding, covering the Midwest Regional was certainly a treat for me.

Wichita State baseball is a big-time operation, with a beautiful collegiate stadium and some extremely enthusiastic fans.

More than 6,000 fans turned out for Thursday night's game between the host Shockers and SEMO. And attendance was good even for the games that did not feature Wichita State.

And about being in that car for so long going out and coming back, the trip was actually quite enjoyable, thanks to riding along with Capahas manager Jess Bolen and Barry Gresham, a pair of great guys.

Gresham is the voice of SEMO baseball on KAPE while Bolen is his color analyst and also does some play-by-play.

There's certainly never a dull moment listening to the many great baseball stories -- and just stories in general -- that Jess has filed away over the years.

* Speaking of the Capahas, they're scheduled to open the 1998 season today with a doubleheader at Goreville, Ill.

The Capahas will play at Fairview Heights, Ill., Wednesday night before opening the home season Friday night against Valmeyer, Ill.

Bolen said he is still in the process of finalizing his roster so a season preview of the Capahas will run in the Southeast Missourian later in the week, prior to the home opener.

* Congratulations to Cape Central High's girls swimming team for finishing sixth in the state over the weekend despite having only four state qualifiers.

* Also kudos to the Cape Central girls soccer team for its undefeated regular season and fourth consecutive district championship.

* Okay, so maybe the Bulls hit a bump in the road Saturday by losing to the Pacers.

But don't worry, Bulls fans. Chicago will win yet another NBA championship this year. Michael just won't allow it to turn out any other way.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian