Friday, May 05, 2006

The Road to the NCAAs Starts Here

It's the final weekend of competition in the Centennial Conference and five team championships are on the line.

Men's Lacrosse

When you stop and think about it ... this could be the ACC basketball tournament of Division III lacrosse. The Centennial has certainly made a case as the best conference in small-college lax this spring and today's semifinals should be outstanding. #2 ranked Gettysburg (14-1) plays host to Haverford (10-5) in the opener at 1:30, while #8 Washington (12-3) and #15 Dickinson (11-3) tangle in the 4 p.m. nightcap. The semifinal winners meet Sunday at 1 p.m. for the championship. You can listen to all the action on the Centennial Conference Broadcast Network starting with today's games at 12:50 p.m.

Baseball

Defending champion Franklin & Marshall (26-9) looks to repeat as it hosts the annual baseball championship tournament this weekend. The tourney gets underway today with a first-round game as Haverford (20-17) travels to Ursinus (18-17). The winner advances to the semifinals Saturday morning at F&M where Johns Hopkins (28-8-2) awaits. The best 2-of-3 Centennial Championship Series begins Saturday afternoon as the elimination survivor takes on the Diplomats (26-9). The CCS continues Sunday at noon with game 2 and, if necessary, a deciding game.

Softball

The surprise team of the 2006 season - Haverford - welcomes Ursinus, Swarthmore and McDaniel to the Main Line for the double-elimination championship tournament. The defending champion Bears (28-6) take on the Garnet (22-15) in the opener Saturday at 10 a.m., while the host Fords (23-15) square off with the Green Terror (20-18) in the second game. There will be four games on Saturday and a minimum of two on Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m.

Outdoor Track and Field

The 13th annual Centennial outdoor track and field championships begin today at Scott S. Bair Stadium on the campus of McDaniel College. The Haverford men are favored to win their 13th consecutive title, while the women's competition should be fierce with Dickinson, Gettysburg, Haverford and Muhlenberg battling for the crown.

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