University Daily Kansan / Monday. October 26, 1987
Sports
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It's 'dome sweet dome' as Twins win Series
The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Twins rode the determination of Frank Viola and the decibels of the Dome to their first World Series championship by beating the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 in game seven last night, becoming the first team to win four home games.
The Twins, with the best home record in baseball, won each game in their own wreck room. They rallied in the final two games, and Greg Gagne's infield single with two outs and the bases loaded in the sixth inning put them ahead to stay.
Viola, who won game one and lost game four, settled down after allowing two runs in the second inning. He gave up only two more innings and innings and denied St. Louis its 10th title.
Viola gave up six hits, struck out seven and didn't walk a batter before giving way to Jeff Reardon. Viola was named Most Valuable Player, but the team's most important ingredient again was the Metrodome.
The Cardinals, the top road team in the majors, were swallowed up by a raucous record crowd of 55,376. A couple of controversial calls by bumps at first base — which haunted St. Louis in 1985 — and some maneuvers by Manager Whitey Herzog that went wrong left the crippled Cardinals one game short.
This was the first Series in which the home team won every game, and it came in a season in which the Twins were nearly invincible at the Metrodome. They finished
to win the Series in 10 years. They scored 72 runs in beating Detroit in the playoffs and then St. Louis, the most ever scored by a club in the postseason.
Minnesota also managed to overcome the Cardinals' success in do-or-die situations. St. Louis is now 8-3 in game sevens, still the most victories by any team in seventh games.
The Twins became the 10th different team
In this, the Year of the Home Run, the Twins manufactured the winning run Cardinals-style.
1985, when Cardinals pitcher Joaquin Anduja was tossed from game seven, in which he gave up two runs.
Danny Cox, pitching on two days' rest and in relief for the first time since 1984, walked Trom Brunansky and Kent Khrebe leading off the sixth with the score 2-2. That finished Cox, who failed to retire any of the five batters he faced, and he was ejected by home-plate umpire Dave Phillips as he exited. That brought back more memories of
Todd Worrell walked pinch-hitter Roy Smalley, playmate on his 35th birthday, before striking out Dan Gladden with the bases loaded for the second out. Gagne followed up with a third out, third baseman Tom Lawless backhanded, and Gagne beat the one-hop throw to first.
The Twins, whose starting lineup ousted St. Louis' 183-32, scored an insurance run in the eighth when Tim Lauden singled and came home on Gladden's double.
The Twins came back despite getting two runners thrown out at the plate by left fielder Vince Coleman and possibly losing a run on Phillips' call in the second.
Trailing 2-1. Minnesota tied it in the fifth
Joe Magrane, who lost the opener and was the ninth rookie to ever start a game seven, got the first out and Gagne followed with a grounder to first baseman Jim Lindeman. Magrane covered first and replays seemed to show he tagged the bag after getting Lindeman's throw, but umpire Lee Weyer called Gagine safe.
Herzog brought in Cox, and Kirby Puckett hit the first pitch for an RBI double to right-center. Gary Gaetti walked, but Puckett was caught trying to advance to third on a pitch in the dirt and Gaetti was thrown out at the plate on Don Bavlon's single to left.
The record crowd of 55,376 began cheering 30 minutes before the game began, and both teams were aggressive from the start. Vila Bittar was able to win, as the hitters came out swinging at first pitches.
Turnovers come home to haunt 'Hawks
By CRAIG ANDERSON
Staff writer
It all seemed so perfect for the Kansas football team in the first half Saturday against Iowa State. Gone were the many turnovers, penalties and the offensive woes that had been the Jayhawks for most of the season.
Then Kansas' playing partner, the turnover, reared its head.
After a 14-10 halftime lead, the Jayhawks turned the ball over three times during the first 10 minutes of the third quarter. Suddenly, the hopes of a potential homecoming victory were turned into memories of what might have been. The three turnovers led to 18 quick Cyclone points, and the game's outcome was never in doubt the rest of the way.
"The same old bug bit us again with all the turnovers." Kansas coach Bob Valesente said. "We're not playing junior high teams. We're playing good teams that can capitalize on our mistakes."
What made the turnovers even more frustrating was that they overshadowed the performance of a Kansas offense that amassed 548 yards in total offense. The yardage total was the most in a game by the Jayhawks and the second in the second game against Vanderbilt in the second game of the 1985 season.
The Kansas miscues also helped deny Valesente from notching his first victory in 10 games against Big Eight Conference opposition. A loss at home to an Iowa State team that
entered the game with the same record as the Jayhawks left Valesente frustrated.
"This loss is really tough to take because we were playing a team that was equal to us in numbers," he said. "We had some good teamwork out there, but we just killed ourselves with turnovers."
For the first time this season, Kansas was able sustain offensive drives throughout the game. All told, Kansas had six drives that covered 60 yards or more. The trouble was that the Jayhawks came up empty on two of three long drives in the second half.
In the third quarter, junior tailback Arnold Snell snuck deep in Iowa State territory. That killed a 76-yard Kansas drive that could have resulted in the Jayhawks retaking the lead. Instead, the Jayhawks were stymied and didn't have another sustained offensive drive until the fourth quarter, when they trailed 35-14.
Snell's fumble typified what was a bittersweet day for him and his teammates. The 6-foot, 200-pound junior rushed for 154 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns. In the end, though, he said he had that same empty feeling that accompanied yet another Jayhawk loss.
“it’s hard to feel good about anything I did because we lost,” Snell said. “Sometime, all this adversity has been going through is going to end.”
Another Jayhawk offensive standout was sophomore wide receiver Quintin Smith, who gained 120 yards on six receptions Smith said he had had the best game ever in a Kansas uniform.
"It was a good day, but it was good for notching," he said. "We came back and didn't give up."
Sophomore quarterback Kelly Donhoe made a comeback of sorts, retaking the starting signal-calling job from freshman Kevin Verdung. Donhoe played the entire game, completing 18 of 27 attempt for 281 yards. The yards passing were a career high for Donhoe.
Donoho also threw two interceptions, the first of which was returned by Cyclone linebacker Anthony Hoskins for a touchdown in the third quarter. The score gave Iowa State a lead it would never relinquish.
The Kansas offense may have been impressive, but the Jayhawk defense left a little to be desired. The injuries that Valentees had talked about all week became evident when Iowa State started to pound the ball right through the middle of the Kansas defense. Iowa State junior fullback Joe Henderson gained many of his 226 yards rushing on dives through the heart of the Kansas defense.
"Coming into the game we felt like we were going to beat them." Donohoe said. "We can't make turnovers we did, though, and expect to win."
Kansas' top four defensive tackles
seniors David White and Von
Lacey, junior Tim Adams and sophomore Mark Koncz, didn't record a single tackle. White and Adams played sparingly. Lacey and Konz played sparingly.
As a result of the injuries, Kansas started freshmen David Gordon and Mike Dinnel at the defensive tackle spots. In all, Kansas started five freshmen on its defensive unit — Gordon, Dinnel, linebackers Curtis Moore and Kyle Schenker, and cornerback Michael Page.
Valesente said the heavy playing time for the youngsters on defense was just another adjustment the team had to deal with.
"I make no excuses for the young guys that had to play," he said. "But doesn't make a difference. They beat the best players we had at the time."
Next week, Kansas will need everyone healthy if it is to have even a glimmer of hope of sticking with top-ranked Oklahoma. Valesente will be about what kind of threat the Sooners would pose to the Jahvaws.
"We've got to come back this week and get ourselves going because we've got a heck of an opponent coming in next weekend."
Donohoe sounded less than optimistic when he talked of going up against Oklahoma.
"I don't know what we can do against Oklahoma, but I expect us to win the last three games (against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Missouri)."
Jeff Klein/Special to the KANSAN
Joe Kern speciell if the kafka KU strong safety, Marvin Mattox, wipes off the heat and frustration of the game against Iowa State.
Kansas tailback finds nemesis in tough third quarter of game
Associate sports editor
By ANNE LUSCOMBE Associate sports editor
Kansas junior tailback Arnold Snell would prefer football games with just two quarters — the first two. It's the third quarter that proves to be his downfall and often the downfall of the entire team.
"It's the third quarter, that's the main adversity spot right there," Snell said after Saturday's 42-28 loss to Iowa State. "If we would go out after the first half and really play, we could win games. Adversity hits hard. I don't know when it's going to stop. We were up 14-10 at the half, and the adversity struck again and struck hard."
In KU's second offensive drive of that trying third quarter, Snell carried the ball five straight times, only to fumble it on the Iowa State 13-yard line. Cyclone defensive back Jeff Dole recovered the ball, and Iowa State scored on the drive that resulted from the turnover.
Despite some bad luck and poor plays, Snell turned out his best career performance, adding up 154 yards rushing. It was the first time
any KU running back had gone over 100 yards this season. Snell also scored two of Kansas' four touchdowns.
"I'm just real proud of him," said offensive coordinator Gary Huff. "There has been a lot of competition for his spot this year and that has really pushed him. He runs hard. The one thing that he has to work on is holding that ball."
Snell started against Auburn but lost his starting role to Southern Methodist transfer Darryl Terrell in the Kent State game. He returned to his starting berth against Colorado last week.
Although he was pleased with his performance Saturday, recognizing it as his best so far this year, Snell said that the statistics are of little concern to him.
"I don't care about individual status. I just go out and do what I have to do," he said. "I felt every time I got the ball I wanted to take it to the end zone and not let them stop me. I just want to win. I don't care if I get hurt because I know there are more backs that can come in and do the job."
Snell's 100-yard plus performance impressed Kansas senior tailback Mike Rogers.
"That's the most yards anyone's had in a long time," Rogers said. "Anytime a back gets over 100 yards it's a great effort on his part."
Snell scored his first touchdown in the second quarter with 13:19 left to play. He went around the left end for a three-yard touchdown run that put the game back at 14:10. It was the last time Kansas would enjoy a lead in the game.
His second touchdown came in the fourth quarter with 12:40 left. Snell ran around the left side again, this time for 10 vards.
But despite Snell's performance, he was not the most productive back on the field. Iowa State running back Joe Henderson run for 228 yards on 33 carries — 72 yards more than Snell and Kirk Cousins. The Cyclone rushing corps combined.
This is the third time this season Henderson has topped the 100-yard mark. His previous career high was in against Wyoming earlier this season.
KU tailback Arnold Snell goes over the top to gain yardage for the Jayhawks. Snell scored two touchdowns in Saturday's game against Iowa State.
KU volleyball team 1-2 for the weekend
By ROBERT WHITMAN
Staff writer
In the finals of the tournament, Northwestern, ranked 19th in the nation, defeated the Jayhaws 15-2, 15-2, 15-11 in the championship game. Kansas had advanced to the championship game of the four-tournament with a 15-2, 15-2, 15-17, 5 victory over Illinois-Chicago.
The Kansas women's volleyball team placed second Saturday night in the Northwestern tournament in Chicago and lost another match outside of the tournament earlier that day.
Kansas coach Frankie Albizt said Northwestern had a team deserving of its ranking, but had to play with the Jayhawks in the final game.
"In that third game, he had pulled his starters and we started catching up really fast," she said.
"They were big, they could hit really hard, and they could serve well. We had a really hard time passing. We have two or three hitters, they had six hitters. Their teammates had thought she was their best blocker."
"He had to put his starters back in to finish us off.
The Jayhawks, with a 9-16 overall record and 2-6 record in Big Eight Conference matches, do not play again until Nov. 4. They will play host to Missouri at 8 p.m. in Allen Field House.
Albizt said she was disappointed the team won only one of the three matches.
Before the tournament final, the Jayhawks played that afternoon at Loyola University in Chicago and lost 12-15, 15-17, 15-10, 1-15.
Senior outside hitter Judy Desch was the only Kansas player to make the all-tournament team.
Woodard leaves 'Trotters for business interests
By a Kansan reporter
Lynette Woodard said Friday that she would not play with the Harlem Globetrotters this year because she was unable to reach an agreement with the team for a new contract.
Woodard, who made the announcement at a news conference at the Parrott Athletic Center, said she would pursue business interests, which include sports management and the fundamentals of basketball, writing a book on
her two years with the Globetrotters and giving speeches.
Woodard said the freedom to pursue those business interests prevented her and the team from reaching an agreement on a new contract. Woodard's two-year contract with the Globetroters expired about three weeks ago. She said she was offered a contract.
"Money was not a big problem, and playing time was not a big problem," Woodard said.
Woodard said she met with Globetrotter president Earl Durva last week.
"I thanked him for that, but told him not to include me in their plans." Woodard said.
She said Duryea told her the team had been set for the season and invited Woodard to try out for it.
"I did ask if there was anything we could work out for the domestic tour," Woodard said. The domestic tour begins Dec. 28.
Kansas men sweep tennis tournament
By DARRIN STINEMAN
Staff writer
Freshman John Falbo won the singles title and sophomores Craig Wildey and Chris Walker won the doubles title, giving the Kansas men's tennis team a sweep at the Inter-Collegiate Tennis Coaches of America tournament in Wichita this weekend.
The event was strictly an individual competition. No team scores were recorded.
Falbo, undefeated in nine singles matches this year, defeated Franz Kaiser of Oklahoma State 6-3, 4-6.
"I was extremely pleased and proud of the way John Falbo played," Kansas tennis coach Scott
The ICTA tournament is played to determine who will advance to the national tournament to represent region five. The region includes the NCAA Division I colleges in Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Iowa. Schools playing in the tournament included Nebraska, Oral Roberts, Tulsa, Iowa State, Colorado, Wichita State, Southwest Missouri State, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Southern Illinois, Creighton, and Illinois State.
Perelman said. "He established himself not only as the best player in the region, but as one of the best players in the country."
By reaching the finals, Falbo and Kaiser qualified for the national indoor tournament, which is to
be played in Minneapolis next February. Wilday and Walker also earned a berth in the nationals by winning the ICTA tournament.
In the doubles semifinals, Wildey and Walker advanced by defeating Kaiser and Salerno and the team of Falbo and senior Larry Pascar defeated Williams and Christian Schatz to reach the finals.
Wilday and Walker defeated their teammates 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 in the finals.
Wildey and Walker will be in Los Angeles this week playing in the Volvo All-American Tournament as a doubles team and in the singles edition. The tournament begins this afternoon.