Southwestern Oregon’s men opened the 2023 NWAC Basketball Tournament Saturday with a 73-70 win over Green River at Pasco, WA. The Lakers (19-11) advanced to the quarter-final round to play Columbia Basin (21-6) Sunday. SWOCC’s baseball team opened the NWAC season with a pair of splits. Southwestern split a doubleheader with Clackamas, 10-3 SWOCC, and 9-5 Cougars. On Saturday, at Winchester (north of Roseburg), the Lakers beat Umpqua 3-1, but lost the second game 6-5. Southwestern (2-2, 9-5) is scheduled to play at Chemeketa, Salem, Thursday, March 16. Southwestern’s softball team was in Ontario, OR. The Lakers beat Treasure Valley Saturday 7-0 & 12-4. On Sunday, SWOCC downed North Idaho 7-6. No score on the second game. Southwestern (12-2) opens NWAC play Friday, March 17, home to Clackamas, 1 & 3 p.m.