Sports
University Daily Kansan / Thursday, October 23, 1986
11
Carter's bat helps New York even Series
United Press International
BOSTON — Gary Carter hit two home runs and Ron Darling, pitching in a stadium filled with boyhood memories, threw seven shutout innings last night, helping the New York Mets defeat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 and even the World Series at two games apiece.
The victory assured the best-of-seven Series will return to New York this weekend for Game 6 and, if necessary, Game 7. Game 5 is tonight and Gooden pitching for the Mets and was 1 winner Bruce Hurst for Boston.
Carter, eager to attack Fenway Park's famed left-field wall, went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs for the second straight game. He hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning off loser Al Nippier and added a solo homer off reliever Steve Crawford in the eighth.
"I was looking to drive the ball with runners on." Carter said of his first homer "Fortunately, he Nip" left the ball hanging up on the plate.
Lenny Dykstra, a singles hitter turned slugger in the post-season, also homered for the second consecutive night. He had a two-run homer as the Mets had 12 hits, beating the Red Sox at home for the second straight night.
Darling, who grew up in nearby Worcester, Mass., and spent many days at Fenway Park rooting for the Red Sox, stopped the American
Wasted chances spell doom for Red Sox
The Associated Press
BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox had the scoring chances. They just couldn't get the big hit.
"Lack of hitting, that's the whole story."
Boston Manager John McNamara said last night after the Red Sox left 11 runners on base in New York Mets in Game 4 of the World Series.
"The same thing happened to the Mets in the first two games in New York. We are not getting base hits to put ourselves close when we get an opening," he said.
"We had the chances early and we just didn't capitalize. A hit at the right time might have made a big difference," said McNamara, whose team met with the Mets at 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.
Second baseman Marty Barrett, who had two of Boston's seven hits, agreed.
"All we needed was a hit at the right time," Barrett said. "A key hit would have put us on top
or closed the gap. We just couldn't get any runs."
One of the biggest Boston culprits was American League batting champion Wade Boggs, who was 4-for-5 and five men on base, including three in scoring position.
Veteran Bill Buckner also was 0-for-5 and stranded five runners.
Asked if he was concerned about the lack of production by Boggs and Buckner, Nemarama
"Of course. I have to be concerned but what can I do about it? These are two fine players and they will come out of it. They have come out of it before."
McNamara said he was satisfied with the effort from right-hander Al Nipper, who gave up seven hits and three runs in six innings in his first post-season appearance.
"Nipper gave us just what we wanted, he got us into the seventh inning with still a shot to win," McNamara said. "He also gave us the opportunity to have our other starting pitchers ready with a full complement of four days" rest for the next three games."
One of the mistakes, Nipper said, was a fastball that Gary Carter hit for a two-run homer with one out in the fourth inning.
"I felt good the whole time and I was putting the ball pretty much where I wanted it," Nipper said. "I only made a couple of mistakes, but they really hurt me. It's too bad that it came down to a couple of mistakes."
Just before Carter's home run on the first pitch to the Mets catcher, Boston catcher Rich Gedman went to the mound to talk with Nipper.
"It was a mixup in signs," Nipper said. "I didn't get the signs too well, so he came out."
"But it's all even and we have a few more games to play. There is no need to panic now. We have our two best pitches (Bruce Hurst and Jon Foster) in the next two games, so everything is all right."
League champions for seven innings before giving way to Roger McDowell. The Red Sox chased McDowell with a two-run eighth inning and Jesse Orosco got the final four outs for a save
Darling, a 26-year old right-hander who was the losing pitcher in Game 1, allowed only four hits while striking out nine. He also gave up only one run in 14 innings.
The Red Sox had Darling in trouble numerous times but he made excellent pitches in situations with men on base. He was especially effective against left-handed hitting Bill Buckner, whom he got out three times with runners in scoring position.
know what it was," Darling said. "I pitched better in the first game at (Shea) but fortunately there were better results in this game."
"I had problems tonight — don't
Buckner is 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position in the Series and has left 16 runners on base overall. His performance has been typical of the Boston offense. They left 11 runners and scored only three runs, leaving 38 on the bases in the Series.
"Darling pitched a good seven innings. It was a great team effort."
Boston lineup. the best part of the order — Buckner, Don Baylor, Jim Rice and Dwight Evans — managed no hits in 10 at-bats.
When Darling struggled he did so against the lesser hitters in the
Nipper faced only one batter above the minimum over the first three innings. Meanwhile, the Red Sox blew some opportunities.
Boston loaded the bases in the first but Darling escaped by getting Evans to ground into a force play. Rich Gedman doubled to lead off the
The Mets took a 3-0 lead in the fourth Wally Backman led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout. Carter then hit the first pitch over the left-field wall. Darryl Strawberry followed with a double to left and scored on Ray Knight's single.
second but Darling got the next three batters out.
Carter's only mistake came on a base-running error in the sixth. After taking third on a double and sacrifice fly, he was thrown out at the plate as he attempted to score on a liner to left.
Gedman replied with his own baserunning mistake in the bottom of the inning. After Evans walked with two outs, Gedman lined a pitch off at the end and Wilson played the carom and threw into the slow-footed catcher at second
Dykstra made it 5-0 in the seventh with a two-run homer. Steve Crawford relieved Nipper to start the inning, and with two out and Wilson on second, Dykstra hit a drive to deep right. Evans had the ball in his glove for a moment but it fell from his glove over the fence. The veteran right field draped his arm atop the wall with his head drooped as Dykstra circled the bases.
NCAA, Kansas State differ over Coleman's eligibility
Dykstra, who hit only eight homers this season, has three during the post-season.
Carter led off the eighth with his second homer and gave the Mets a 6-0 lead.
United Press International
MANHATTAN — Kansas State athletic officials said yesterday that a revised National Collegiate Athletic Association ruling will allow basketball standout Norris Coleman to play this entire season, but the NCAA contends the University is wrong.
Larry Travis, Kansas State athletic director, announced the NCAA, in a letter dated Oct. 13, advised the school that Coleman had two years of eligibility left beginning with the 1986-87 season.
Travis said based on the letter, Kansas State athletic officials, attorneys and Coleman agreed the player could begin the regular season Nov. 29 as a junior instead of a sophomore.
Jim Marchiony, director of media services for the NCAA, said Kansas State misinterpreted the letter and the NCAA stands by its ruling that Coleman is not eligible to play until Feb. 27, 1987.
Coleman, 24, was the country's leading Division I freshman scorer
Travis said Kansas State's interpretation of the letter written by
Douglas Johnson, the NCAA's director of legislative services, hinges on a paragraph that states:
"It is apparent that the young man utilized one season of competition during the 1985-86 academic year and is charged with one season. Therefore, he has two years of competition ... beginning with the 1986-87 academic year."
Marchiony said that statement simply means Coleman may play with the Wildcats beginning Feb. 27, 1987.
"If he does play at that point, he has one year of (eligibility) left," Marchony said. "If he waits out the entire season, he has two full years
"What Kansas State is trying to make out of that letter, I don't know," he said.
Jeffrey Schemmel, Coleman's attorney, said Coleman would definitely take the matter to court if the NCAA refused to abide by Kansas State's interpretation of the letter.
"If their position now is that they are not standing by this letter, we are
On Feb. 27, Coleman was declared ineligible for most of the upcoming season after the NCAA ruled he did not have the required 2.0 grade-point average when he graduated from Paxon High School in Jacksonville, Fla. in 1979.
The NCAA said Coleman would have to sit up the outgoing season for as long as he had played and finished his season. The 1965-66 season — until Feb. 27, 1967.
Coleman's attorney maintained yesterday that the NCAA's original ruling said Coleman could play with the Wildcats after Feb. 27, 1987, then would have two full years of eligibility remaining.
Schemml said he reviewed the Oct. 13 letter and agreed it was a revision of the CAA position and the code for the entire 1968-67 season, but as a junior.
Marchiony declined to say what the NCAA would do if Kansas State tried to play Coleman.
Jayhawks look to stop streak
in a big mess -a big legal mess," he said.
"Quite frankly, I took it to mean it has been reviewed by the NCAA and this is their final decision and this is where they stand," he said.
By JANE ZACHMAN
Volleyball
Oklahoma at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow at Allen Field House.
Kansas volleyball team members will try to recover from two straight losses as they' face Colorado and
The Jayhawks, 18-5, fell to Nebraska Oct. 14 and lost Monday to K-State for the first time this season. Kansas is now 3-3 in conference
"Nebraska is just dominating,"
Kansas head coach Frankie Albitz said yesterday, "and K-State played really well."
Kansas won the first game of the match against K-State, but failed to maintain control and lost in five games. 15-9, 12-15, 12-15, 15-11, 9-15
Albitz said the Jayhawks might have relaxed too much after the first game since they had already beaten the Wildcats three times this season.
Kansas middle hitter Julie Ester said the team had been working to improve its blocking for the upcoming matches.
"Blocking is one of the biggest fac
tors right now'. Ester said,
"I'm in big team, so blocking
will be important."
Albitz said the team had been trying to speed up its offense for more effectiveness.
In preparing for the match against Colorado, Albizt said she wasn't sure what to work on because Kansas had never played the Buffaloes.
This is the first year Colorado has had a volleyball team. The Buffaloes have a 4-10 record and are 0-3 in Big Eight Conference play.
Oklahoma is 9-12 and 1-1 in conference play.
Rich Reith, KU punter, practices at Memorial Stadium. Reith is ranked third in the Big Eight Conference with a net average of 40.7 yards per punt.
Roster will change, regardless
United Press International
BOSTON — Some members of the New York Mets will not be with the club next season, regardless of how well the team does in the World Series.
"I guarantee you, whether I win this thing or lose it, I'm going to change this ballclub around after
World Series Notebook
the season," said General Manager Frank Cashen. "You have to improve your ballclub. Every morning I wake up, I think of waves to improve the ballclub."
Darryl Strawberry, who struck out 141 times during the regular season, struck out 17 times in his first 32 post-season at-bats. He collected his first World Series hit in the eighth inning of Game 3.
World Series schedule
Among the players the Mets might trade are outfieldier Mookie Wilson, shortstop Rafael Santana and relief pitcher Jes Osrico.
"Sometimes you try too hard a*-try to do too much, and I think that is what I have been doing."
best-of-seven series
Series tied 2-2
Saturday's result
Boston , New Yi
Sunday's in
Boston 9, New York 3
Tuesday's result
New York 7, Boston 1
Yesterday's result
New York 6, Boston 2
Today's game
New York Gooden 17-6) at Boste
(Hurst 13-8), 7:35 p.m.
Today's game
Boston at New York, 7:35 p.m.
Sunday's game
x Boston at New York, 7:35 p.m.
x — if necessary
"I'm not embarrassed about the way I'm playing. I feel like I'm going to do some big things yet in this game," she said, one hit to get going and I got it.
said Strawberry, who singled against Joe Sambito and scored New York's seventh run.
'When you're a key man on a ballclub, everybody expects you to produce. I feel very confident and I
feel I'll play a big role in things to come."
■ New York's relief pitching has shone in post-season play, allowing only six earned runs in 29 innings, spanning nine games. That computes to a 1.86 ERA. Of those 29 innings, Roger McDowell had 11 scoreless ones.
How close is the left-field wall at Fenway Park? Boston Mayor Ray Flynn once hit three balls in a game, practicing in practice as a teenager.
Mayor Ed Koch, your turn at bat,sir.
Boston center fielder Dave Henson says shooting for the left-field wall at Fenway Park can be a hit. He right-handed hitter after he leaves.
"You come in and play the Monster for three days," Henderson said. "You turn into a pull hitter for two or three days and then it hurts your swing for five or six days."
Punter quietly gets job done
By ANNE LUSCOMBE
Sports writer
In an extroverted sport, he remains an introvert.
In an exit overcrowd spot, the student quiet and unassuming. Kansas punter Rich Rieth rarely initiates conversations unless the issues concern him in particular.
Interviews especially are regarded with skepticism. When a photographer appeared at practice to take his picture, Rieth was shocked. He can't fathom why he would make an interesting story.
would make an interview today.
"I see myself as an average person," Rieth said yesterday.
"I don't like interviews because I don't feel like I have anything much to say."
Interviews fall into the category of things to be avoided, mostly for superstitious reasons. He is leary to talk about himself in fear of spoiling his success.
"I'm superstitious about a lot of little things," he said.
"Like my roommate Mac Smith (Kansas placekicker) and I always sleep in certain beds at the Holidome every time before the game."
the best of the genius. Kicking is primarily mental, as most kickers will agree. However, some God-given talent is necessary as well. Rieth said.
Still, a certain amount of mental preparation must exist before he steps out on the field.
"I don't think as much as people probably think I do," he said of his preparational steps before punting. "I just go out there and try to kick it over 40 yards and not get any return out of it."
"I close my eyes and think of the perfect drop," he said. "I see my leg go up and then I see the ball turn over and over."
Special teams coach Joe Pannunzio described Rieth as very quiet and conscientious.
"He really wants to be a great punter." Pannunzio said. "he goes out there and does the job."
Confidence is not a problem. Rieth knows he can go out and meet the expectations of the coaches and team.
He currently ranks 16th in the nation with a 40.7 yard net average and third in the Big Eight Conference. Rieth has punted 35 times for a total of 1,428 yards. He also has two pints of more than 70 yards.
The high national ranking surprised him because he didn't think his 40.8-yard average was impressive. He says he should do better, and that is the attitude he takes to practice.
suit, he is confident in his ability — something shared by his teammates and coaches. He knows they trust him to do his best.
"We've had to punt quite a few times and he came through with flying colors," Pannunzio said. "The team has a lot of faith in him, which is important."
However, in Rieth's mind, there are many more elements to successful punting than simply his kicking. He gives a lot of credit to his teammates.
"Rob Foster (long snapper) does really well." Rieth said. "The whole Pride team does, especially the line. If they weren't blocking so well I wouldn't have such a low rate of return on my puns."
Opposing teams have returned Rieth's punts for only 56 total yards.
Rieth, originally from Milwaukee, was a walk-on at Arizona and then transferred to West Los Angeles Community College in Los Angeles. From there he was recruited by Kansas.
However, staying in the Midwest is not part of his plan. He wants to give professional football a try, partly to satisfy his curiosity and also to know he tried. If that falls through, Rieth wants to return to the hustle and bustle of
"Coming from there to here was like going from everything to nothing," he said.