Baseball opener washed away

Three days of steady rain forced the cancellation of the three-game series with Illinois State. The weekend washout will push the home opener back to Friday, when Wright State will visit Nick Denes Field.

The Toppers (2-1) were hoping to build from their season-opening momentum surge stemming from a series win at then 26th ranked Central Florida.

Friday’s home opener is slated to begin at 2 p.m., followed by Saturday and Sunday games both starting at 1 p.m.

—Michael Casegrande

Softball opener rescheduled

The Western softball team’s home opener with Tennessee Tech was canceled due to weather conditions. The Hilltoppers were scheduled to open their home slate Tuesday afternoon against the Golden Eagles, but the doubleheader will be rescheduled for a later date.

Western travels to Chattanooga, Tenn., this weekend to play in the Frost Classic. The Hilltoppers (1-4) are scheduled to play six games over the weekend, opening with Samford on Friday at 10:15 a.m.

—Kyle Hightower

Women’s golf has good weekend

Golf coach Chuck Eison received top-25 finishes from all five of his players as the women’s golf team opened the spring season with a third-place finish at the Bethune-Cookman Spring Invitational. Senior Jennifer McGill led the charge with a two-day total of 159, earning a share of seventh place.

Sophomore Jennifer Taylor carded a 79 in the second round to tie for 13th place with a 161 total. Sophomore Casey Manion and junior Sarah Lilly tied for 19th place after posting two-day totals of 166. Lilly rebounded from an opening-round 88 by carding a 78 in the second round. Senior Crystal Anglea rounded out the squad with a 168 total to tie for 24th place.

Host Bethune-Cookman captured the team title with a 622 total, 11 strokes better than second-place Daytona Beach Community College. The Wildcats placed all five of their golfers in the top seven, while Daytona Beach’s Jessica Trein captured medalist honors, thanks in part to a tournament-low round of 73 on the opening day.

The Lady Toppers return to action March 10-11, when they play in the Lady Racer Classic hosted by Murray State.

—Kyle Hightower