On a cold and windy Wednesday, the Co-Lin versus SouthwestCommunity College baseball rivalry began heating up. During a pressconference at the Country Fisherman restaurant, plans wereannounced for a Heart Challenge Baseball Classic, sponsored by theCardiovascular Institute of Mississippi.

Co-Lin and Southwest are natural rivals in athletics andacademics. Co-Lin baseball broadcaster Robbie Hamilton hatched theidea of an annual trophy presentation. The Heart Challenge Trophywould go to the winner of the 4-game series.

Certainly, it’s good for baseball, especially junior collegebaseball. Interest will be peaked by several promotions at the twodoubleheaders.

A CIM representative will throw out the first ball, Wednesday,March 29, at Co-Lin; and Saturday, April 22, at Southwest. Moreimportantly, each school will receive a check from CIM to helpfinance the respective baseball programs.

Radio, TV and newspaper media were present for the newsconference, plus coaches and athletic directors from the respectiveschools. Also present were CIM representatives and administratorMichael Torn.

“We look forward to seeing these two baseball programs inaction,” said Torn. CIM is based in McComb, with clinics located inBrookhaven, Meadville and Monticello.

Southwest athletic director Larry Holmes said CIM’s sponsorshipwould benefit the baseball team. “We appreciate everything theCardiovascular Institute is doing for us.”

Co-Lin athletic director Gwyn Young agreed. “This sponsorshipwill bring good, positive publicity for both schools. It’s alwaysbeen a big rivalry between Co-Lin and Southwest.”

Southwest baseball coach Pete Young said he appreciated theadditional interest. “I want to thank everybody for their support.Thanks for helping promote our sport.”

Co-Lin baseball coach Keith Case echoed Young’s sentiments. “Weare excited about it. These are two great community colleges whocompete in academics and athletics. We want and expect an intenserivalry.”

Case’s Wolfpack won the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament, the SuperRegional and placed fourth in the NJCAA Division II World Serieslast year. The South Division series with Southwest will helpdetermine which of the top two South teams advance to the 2006State Tournament.

Under the new playoff format, the top two teams out of theSouth, Central and North Divisions advance to the state tourney.Five of those advance to the regional which will send the winner tothe World Series in Millington, Tenn.

Baseball teams from Co-Lin and Southwest probably are closerlinked than other sports because of the summer youth baseballprograms across this area of Mississippi. Young said 75 percent ofthe players on the teams have been playing against each other sinceyouth or T-ball leagues.

The Co-Lin series with Southwest will start at 4 p.m. nextWednesday on Sullivan Field. Southwest’s twinbill on April 22, willstart at 1 p.m.

The Heart Challenge Trophy will be kept one year by the serieswinner. In the event of a deadlock at 2-2, arm or Sumo wrestling athome plate could determine the champ.

Baby, it’s cold outside!

Fans watching spring sports this week need a blanket to shieldthemselves from the chilly, nightly breezes. Hopefully the warm sunwill smile on Saturday’s collegiate tennis match at Brookhill onNatchez Ave.

Samford (Ala.) University will tackle Southern Miss, starting at11 a.m. with three doubles matches. Singles play begins at 1:30p.m., with six matches.

Samford is led by Brookhaven product Stuart Misner who isplaying either No. 1 or No. 2 singles, and doubles, too. Misner isa junior at Samford, majoring in a medical career.

Samford will make it a weekend set, meeting the Alcorn StateUniversity Braves Sunday afternoon, starting at 1:30. Alcorn hasfive international players on the roster.

Northeast’s Lady Tigers got a rude welcome to the NJCAA NationalWomen’s Basketball Tournament in Salina, Kan. They encountered athunderous Texas whirlwind, falling to Trinity Valley 122-64Tuesday, in the opening round. It was a tournament-record pointproduction by Trinity Valley (31-1), located outside Dallas.

Northeast (24-5) didn’t have the horses to compete with thenational powerhouse. The Lady Tigers had defeated Co-Lin’s LadyWolves 74-73 two weeks ago in the regional finals.

The Northwest men (29-3) also lost their opening round test atthe national tourney in Hutchinson, Kan., falling 84-76 to IowaWestern (32-4). Northeast and Northwest are in consolation roundgames today.

Write to sports editor Tom Goetz, c/o The DAILY LEADER, P.O.BOX 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602 or e-mailsports@dailyleader.com