10
Thursday, April 6, 1978
University Daily Kansan
Long wait pays off for Hernandez
Determined pitch
Staff Photo by TIM ASHNER
Senior Paula Hernandez has blossomed into one of the Jayhaws best softball pitchers. After pitching just a few innings for KU the past two seasons, Hernandez had her chance this season. She has taken advantage of it and is 7-0 with a perfect game to her credit.
By NANCY DRESSLER
Sports Writer
The long wait seems to be over. She still does not smoke fast balls past batters nor is she known for striking them out, but Paula Harvey came into her own for the Miami Jayhawks.
Hernandez, who in the past two seasons had pitched just a few innings for KU, already has won seven games for the Jayhawks this season. She has yet to lose a game and pitched a perfect game earlier in the year.
A transfer from Kansas Wesleyan
Denver latermendez is in her third season
with the Jasper team.
HER SUCCESS this season, the Salma senior said recently, results from a change in style that has made Hernandez KU's No. 2 pitcher.
"I started improving playing summer ball and this year during the fall I decided to work on a different approach. That sort of chaned my style and I better," she said.
Active in summer softball programs since she was 11 years old, Hernandez pitched every third game last summer for the Wichita Arrows—a fast-pitch team.
"Somehow I matured and got things going and that's why I'm so much better this year," she said. "I've been on teams where I've played in almost every game or every second game and I still wasn't that much better."
HERNANDEZ SAID films made of her pitching two years ago needed the need for a change. The films were made and discussed with Coach Sharon Drydale. Drydale since has been replaced by Coach BobStanclift.
"We sat down and talked about it and she (Drysale) pointed out things to me that I was doing that were different or might help me. So that's gotten me to try to do something to change my style of pitching." Hernandez said.
She said she changed her pitching to put more foot into each throw rather than using the backhand.
"When you're taught, pitchers are told it’s the arm that does it, especially when you’re pitching a fastball."
"GLORIA GRAVES has been trying to use more body than arm and it got me to thinking about that." Graves, who has graduated, was KU's top pitcher last spring.
Improvement came slowly after Her nandez's change in pitching style and she played on last year's KU team behind more players, teachers, Graves and junior Sheila Sinclair.
Playing behind Graves and Sinclair was intimidating, she said, but the changes in her pitching style helped to ease the feeling of disappointment.
"Now that I've changed my style and now that I'm pitching better, I realize I cann't compare myself to them because I throw a different psychological game, he said.
ASSUMING THE RHEA as KU's No. 2 pitcher this season behind Sinclair has not been a problem.
and I are almost completely different type patches, she said in different types
Hernandez throws three types of pitches—a change-up, a fast ball that rises as it moves toward the plate and a drop pitch that also curves.
if you have an off day, the No. 1 pitcher can come in and take charge of the situation.
The drop pitch has been the toughest to learn, she said, and will curve if the ball is rolled only halfway in the hand when it is released.
The pitches are not overpowering, but instead the runner's philosophy of philosophy of the teams in the league.
"A lot of people say if you have a good pitcher in a fast-pitch situation you don't need a team. But all a pitcher can do is tie the score 0.0.
"I don't go out there to try to get batters to strike out. I try to get them to ground out because with the team we have, the fielding experience, why do all the work?" she said.
THE JAYHAWKS are an experienced team and have compiled a 13-5 record, winning their last 11 games. Hernandez last week matched one-and-twelfth wins for the Jayhawks.
The importance of softball to Hernandez goes back to her family. Her father, the first person to show her how to pitch, is himself a fast-pitch pitcher.
"I wanted to learn to pitch and he taught me." Hernandez said. "I would also catch for him so that made a big difference. I'd make him teach me."
Hernandez said she had considered continuing to play softball after her eligibility ended this year, perhaps professionally.
"The only reason I have thought about it if could professional was because I love the sport so much that I don't want to stop," she said.
But for now at least, Hernandez is more concerned with this season and a winning streak.
She realizes her role, which includes being there to help younger pitcher who must be scouted.
"I'm going to help them because it's well worth the wait," she said. "It's just the fact that you don't get down on yourself and just cool it."
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Freshman flanker David Versier frac tured his left hand at football practice Tuesday and will be out for the remainder of spring practice.
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Injury sidelines Verser
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Verser landed on his left hand, trying to break his fall from a tackle. According to head trainer Dean Neasmith, a cast or metal plate will be put on for approximately three weeks. He said Verser probably would be able to do some running after a few weeks.
the football team yesterday. Anderson, a 6-7, 240-pound forward on the KU basketball team, had been trying to make a comeback after an injury and end his senior year in high school in Illinois.
Sophomore Scott Anderson decided to quit
"IT'S NOT so much I disliked football, I just like basketball better," Anderson said yesterday. "I like to catch the ball and there problem there, but I didn't like to block."
"I felt I owed it to myself to at least try it, but I'm through with football now."
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3 years added to Owens' pact
Kansas head basketball coach Ted Owens has been rewarded for the Jayhawks' 24-5 season with a three-year extension on his existing contract.
RU athletic director Clyde Waleer announced that Owens, who had one year remaining on his present contract, received a letter from the coach which will run through the 1981-82 campain.
"Ted Owens has done a fine job of putting out basketball program at a level of national prominence," Walker said. "I'm confident he can accomplish and I am pleased to an- ticipate."
ACCORDANCE with KU athletic department guidelines, no salary announcements.
This past season Owens guided Kansas to its 12th appearance in the NCAA tournament after winning the Bowl game. It marked the time in his career that the Jayhawks gained the league title. They also won the conference championship in seventh time that has occurred under Owens.
In 14 seasons, Owens has won 285 and lost 119 at KU - a .690 winning percentage.
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PCI2 PARENTAL GUARDANCE SUGGESTED
Frl., April 7, 7:00 p.m.
Sat., April 8, 3:30 & 9:30 p.m.
$1.25 Woodruff Aud.
Fri., April 7, 7:00 p.m.
"THE DAY OF THE LOCUST"
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IN HOLLYWOOD
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A JOHN SCHLENBERGER FILM
THE DAY OF THE LOCUST
DONALD SUTHERLAND
KAREN BLACK
WILLIAM HILLMAN
BUSINESS MEREDITH
NIKHAR STAART, JOHN HILLMAN
GERARDINE PAGE as Big Sister
NATHANIEL WILSON
NATALIE HILLMAN
JOHN SCHLENBERGER
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A SOHN SCHEINGER FILM
Fri., April 7, 3:30 & 9:30 p.m.
Sat., April 8, 7:00 p.m.
$1.25 Woodruff Aud.
MIDNIGHT MOVIES "Don't Miss This One!" Andy Warner's
Fri. & Sat., April 7 & 8 $1.25 Woodruff Aud.