Both the baseball and softball teams went 1-2 this weekend to start the Ohio Valley Conference season, but neither team has a reason to hang their heads.

The baseball team dropped its first two games against Eastern Kentucky before finally grabbing a 14-12 win for a 5-11 mark on the season. The softball team mustered a win against Morehead State on their home turf for an even 9-9 overall record.

While this weekend may not have kicked off league play quite the way either team hoped, there is still hope for the Panthers to clinch the OVC tourney title and earn an NCAA berth- without winning the regular season.

By no means should either team lose hope on that regular season after the first weekend but when it comes down to it, the tournament is all that really matters.

Wearing that tournament ring and making an NCAA appearance will mean more to the baseball and softball players than any claim to the regular season title ever would.

The volleyball team and women’s soccer team both made a nations appearance without winning the Ohio Valley Conference regular season.

In baseball, the past two seasons have had different regular season winners from the tournament winners. For softball, on the other hand, every season since 1995 has been dominated by the same team in both regular and tournament play, most recently with Tennessee Tech.

But this season can be different.

The losses are never fun, for either then team or the fans, but its a learning experience. With every game and team the Panthers are faced with allows for new fame opportunities and time on the field.

Both teams have also battled harsh weather conditions, including rain and frigid temperatures. While the weather is bound to improve over the next few weeks, practice time can be more productive without frozen fingers.

And while both the baseball and softball team have a combined 14-20 mark, they’re improving. By the time the tournament time arrives, both teams should be ready to claim their tournament title – and continue their quest to the NCAA tournament.