SPORTS
University Daily Kansan/ Thursday, October 24, 1991
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Atlanta wins 3-2, ties Series
Mark Lemke scores winning run for Braves; is 5-for-12 in Series
The Associated Press
ATLANTA — Maybe Mark Lemke isn't such an unlikely hero after all.
Less than 24 hours after his 12th inning single won the longest World Series game in 14 years, Lemke hit a triple in the ninth inning and scored the winning run as the Atlanta Braves beat the Minnesota Twins 3-2 last night and tied the Series at two games apiece.
"You wanted to be excited." Lemek
wanted. "And you just
want to get someplace quiet."
Fulton County Stadium was anything but quiet as Lemke's hit off Mark Guthrie hit the base of the fence in left wing. The ball bounced into a net and made him 5-for-13 in the Serbia.
"This is great, but it's happening so fast you just can't think about it." It sounds like a child's voice.
After Guthrie intentionally walked Jeff Blauer, Steve Bedrosian relieved Jerry Willard, who had 14 at-bats all season.
Guthrie then hit a fly to Shane Mack in medium right. Lemke tied the sage and sid to the foul side of the tag by catcher Brian Harper.
"I kind of bumped him on the shoulder and went around him," Lemke said. "I was able to get around him and touch the plate with my hand."
"I didn't get a real good jump, but I wanted to make sure I didn't leave third base too soon."
Umpire Terry Tata made the safe call, and Lemke popped up as Harper argued the call.
"After I saw the safe sign, I wasn't too concerned about what Harper was saving." Lemke said.
All of a sudden, he was the heriot twice in two nights. Not bad for a kid who almost didn't make the team. The decision to keep the 26-year-old team is the team's last moves before heading home from spring training.
"I know there was one man out." Lemke said. "I hoped and prayed it wasn't me. They made some roster moves and things worked out well."
Lemke was charged up after Game 3 did it! 'have much time to prepare for'
"I didn't feel like going to sleep," he said. "I was a little tired (last night). Maybe that good."
Willard was just as unlikely a hero as Lemke was — before this week. Willard's been in pro baseball since 1980 but has just 293 career at-bats in the majors. He didn't play in 1988 because of an injury.
"I wasn't thinking about the pressure," said the 32-year-old signed by the Braves in January as a minor league free agent. "I wasn't thinking about the pressure, the crowd — just doing my job."
In 1988, Willard almost quit, but baseball meant too much to him.
"I hurt my back and almost gave it up," Willard said. "But I didn't like it, but you always think about it and then you come true with the Atlanta Braves."
The Associated Press
Twins' Glavine has rested for days since last start; says he's ready to pitch
ATLANTA — Tom Glavine really doesn't care if he gets three or four days off between starts.
By dropping Charlie Leibrandt from the starting rotation, the Atlanta Braves will bring back Glavine for Game 5 of the World Series tonight. And that's the way he likes it.
"I feel fine now," he said yesterday before Atlanta and the Minnesota Twins played Game 4. "I threw on the side yesterday and I don't see any reason I won't feel fine tomorrow."
Glavine, who will pitch against Game 2, winner Kevin Tapani, made four starts on three days' rest during the season.
April 23, he pitched a four-hit shutout and struck 10 players out at Los Angeles.
June 29, he allowed one earned run in eight innings and got a no decision in a 2-1, 11-inning loss to the Dodgers.
July 25, Pittsburgh rocked him for six earned runs in five innings and beat the Braves 7-4. Seven, 2 he had 4-3 despite pitching a five-hitter.
"To me, it was a simple thing of not feeling fit," he said of those late-season losses. "I was much stronger in April, and I was in my Septer beers start I would have put it out because my arm was tired. I feel
fine now "
In Sunday's second game, Glavine, 20-11, pitched a four-hitter. But two of the hits were Chili Davis' two-run homer in the first inning and one homer in the eighth. That was enough to give the Twins a 2-victory.
"I learned from the mistakes I made a couple of things I want to stay away from, "Glavinsaid. "By reporting reports were right on the money."
Tapani, 16-9, won that game, allowing seven hits and two runs in eight innings. He said he didn't learn much from facine them once.
"You have all those books of scouting reports but I kind of pitch you feel," he said.
Tonight's game
Game 5-7.29 p.m.
Minnesota at Atlanta
Tapati (16-9) Glavine (20-11)
Notes: Atlanta defeated Minnesota last night. 3-2. Tonga's game will be the last of the series in Atlanta.
Source: The Associated Press
KANSAN GRAPHIC
Mason worried despite Sooners' losing streak
Bv David Mitchell
Kansan Sportswriter
Oklahoma has lost two games in a row, but Kansas coach Glen Mason said there was no good time to play the Sooners.
The Jayhawks beat Iowa State last weekend 41-0 and are averaging almost 400 offensive yards a game. However, the Sooners have the Big Eight Conference's top-ranked run defense.
"They're competitors, and they'll bounce back," Mason said. "To be honest, they scare the heck out of me. I'm not afraid of offense moving the ball against them."
Oklahoma has held its opponents to an average of 83 rushing yards a game, according to his stats.
The Kansas offense has depended heavily on the run. The Jayhawk ground attack is averaging 247.2 yards a game. Tailback Tony Sands is averaging 168.3 yards a second to Nebraska's Derek Brown in the Eighth and 1st in the nation.
Junior quarterback Chip Hilleary will start Saturday's game. Backup quarterback Nate Florell started last week.
But Sands has not been unstoppable. Kansas State held him to 29 yards two
Hilleary sparked a second-half rally in last year's game against Oklahoma when he scrambled for a 45-yard touchdown.
The Sooners led 24-74 half time, but the Jahayhaws dominated the second half. Kansas had more yards rushing, and Oklahoma had more yards rushing in Oklahoma, but had four turnovers.
Mason said that last year's 31-17loss
had been important for the Jayhawks.
"The second half of that ball game was the first time I thought our team was competitive on the Big Eight level," Mason said.
Glen Mason
Junior offensive tackle Keith Loneker said that the offense was ready for the rematch.
"I're really looking forward to playing Oklahoma this year," Lonerek said. "We played them tough game last year for the first time in a while."
Kansas has not beaten Oklahoma since a 28-11 upset in 1984 at Memorial Stadium. The Jayhawks have not won seven games since 1975, the national champions 23-3 in 1975.
SIDELINES
- With four victories this season, Kansas has won more games than it did a year ago when it was 3-7-1.
Sands needs 34 yards to become the Jayhawks' all-time leading rusher. He is 12th on the Big Eight's all-time list.
Sophomore Dan Eichloff leads the nation in field goals, averaging 1.8 a game.
Lady Jayhawks picked first in poll
- Oklahoma leads the all-time series 59-23 and has won 14 of the last 15 games.
When Kansas shut out Iowa State last week, it was the Jawhacks' first shutout in 107 games. The Sooners have not been shut out in 92 games.
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas edged three other Big Eight women's basketball teams for first place in the conference coaches' preseason poll.
State and Kansas State with 15 each.
Three Big Eight coaches predicted a first-place finish for Kansas, which compiled a total of 43 points. Colorado was second with two first-place votes and 40 points and defending champion Wisconsin with two first-place votes and 39 points. Nebraska was picked fourth with one first-place vote and 38 points.
Nebraska forward Karen Jennings, who last year led the big Eight in scoring with 20.5 points per game, was picked presser player of the-year
Picked to finish in the conference's second division were Oklahoma with 10 points and Kansas with 8.
Others selected for the preseason all-conference team were junior forward Lisa McGill, Oklahoma State; sophomore forward Jamilian Lang, Alabama; senior Terlivan Johnson, Kansas and senior forward Ericka Fields, Missouri.
Freshman Angela Aycock of Kansas was predicted to be the new comer of the team, as he a 6-foot-2 player in Texas, was the top-rated recruit in Texas last year.
Men's tennis team goes indoors to prepare for qualifying tourney
By Steve Hudson Special to the Kansan
The Kansas men's tennis team will begin qualifying play today for the third leg of what is known as college tennis' Grand Slam.
The Jayahawks' Rafael Rangel, Paul Garvin, Carlos Fleming, Pat Han and Rhain Bate are slated to play this season. The Mexican qualifying tournament in Wichita.
The indoor tournament ends Sunday after the singles and doubles finals are all in.
Coach Scott Perelman said that in college tennis, there are four main events during the year: the Clay Court Championships, the Volvo All-American Indoor Tournament and the individual Championships and the NCAA Championships.
The top two singles players and the top doubles team from the Rolex qualifying tournament will advance to the National Indoor Individual Championships, which will take place in February in Minneapolis.
All the Kansas players will play singles this weekend. In doubles, Rangel and Han will form one team and Garvin and Fleming will be the other.
The tournament will feature a singles draw of 64 players and a doubles bracket of 32 teams. Although not team awards will be given, Perelman emphasized the importance of the tournament.
“It’s the premier regional event of the fall,” he said. “Everyone will show up. The event establishes who are the top teams in the region.”
The top team from each region is headed to the NCAA championships in Nashville.
The team also has been involved in a vigorous exercise program since the team was hired. The man said he thought the physical assault could be a factor in the tournament.
For the past week, the Jayhawks practiced indoors so the players could see it.
Entry fees and pledges will provide educational help for children with autism through the Early Childhood Autism Project.
"We have to play well for four straight days. From the stamina standpoint, it's a difficult tournament, but we're physically in good shape," he said.
SPORTS BRIEFS
Theriet City Dife Golf Club, along with several local businesses, will sponsor a Frisbee golf tournament from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Frisbee golf to help autistics
The entry fee is $10 a contest. The tournament will have 2 18-ole rounds. Contestants will be broken up into divisions based on age and skill
The tournament will be held at the Centennial Park disc golf course, 9th and Iowa streets.
Players can register with event organizer Chris Breit at 841-7596.
Angels release aging stars
- From staff and wire reports
Outfielder Dave Winfield and pitcher Bert Blyleen, longtime major league players who are in their 40s, are being let go by the California Angels.
The Angels said in a statement yesterday that they would not pick up the 1992 options on the contracts of the pair, clearing the way for them to become free agents.
Blyleen, a right-hander, spent the season on the disabled list after having shoulder surgery April 16.
Winfield, who came to the Angels from the New York Yankees in 1990, hit 28 homers and drove in 68 runs this season. He hit .262 in 150 games.
Cindy Lewis [living down] and Helena Hafstrom stretch out before an afternoon cross country practice. The team is ranked 16th in the nation.
Surprising women's cross country team confident heading into Big Eight meet
By Jeff Kobs
Kansan Sportswriter
No one expected it.
The success of the women's cross country team during the 1991 season has been a flip-flop from
The Jayhawks this season have won three of their five meets and have placed second in the league.
in both second place finishes, the Jayhawks in both runners-up to top 25 team nassas has knotted up in the playoffs.
After placing higher than four top 25 teams Oct. 5 at the Minnesota Invitational, Kansas earned some respect and a No. 18 national ranking. They placed 16th going into the Big Eight Conference meet.
"We've done well in big meets and have won our share of the others." Kansas Coach Gary
Schwartz said. "And the athletes are improving." "There are all the indicators of a good season."
Nothing indicates that things won't continue."
Other Big-Bright characters apparently agree.
Other Big Eight coaches apply eight degrees Kansas recently was picked in a coaches' poll to finish second in the conference meet behind Kansas State.
"I knew we would be better, but I never thought we would be in a position to win the Big Eight Championship," senior Cathy Palacios said. "We had to play hard and have tried to keep things in perspective."
Junior Julia Saul, a transfer from Oregon, said the team's attitude was good.
"We've gone into meets thinking we could win and that's how we're going to go into the Big Eight," Saul said. "We have the confidence we need going in, but we're not too confident."
The team has less than two weeks to prepare for the conference meet.
Palacios said the team was determined to continue its success through the Big Eight, districts and nationals.
"We're a do-team more than a talk-taell, 'she said. "The big meets are yet to come. Those others are nice, but no one will remember who won the Simon-Fraser meet."
Schwartz said the team was not satisfied with just a little success.
"It's a tribute to the women's team because they've taken the success they've had and turned it into more success," Schwartz said. "They are excited about what their doing."
"They have the right attitude and enthusiasm and those things can't be manipulated by a coach."
Cross country team gears up for Big Eight meet
Team plans to use weekend break as preparation period for conference, district and NCAA meets
By Jeff Kobs
Kansan Sportswriter
The little things are out of the way for the Kansas men's cross country team.
The Jayhawks, ranked 17th nationally, are ready for the championship leg of the season, which will begin Nov. 2 with the Big Eight Conference Championship at Rim Rock Farm north of Lawrence.
"The conference is the first of the championship meets and is a very important one," Coach Gary Schwartzsaid.
The other two championship meets are the district meet Nov 16 and the NCAA meet Nov 25.
The Jayhawks' last meet was Saturday at the Iowa State Classic, where they placed second behind No.14Texas.
The t e a r h a s t i s w e e k e n d o f f. The t e a r h a s t i s w e e k e n d o f f.
**Thermambule**
So you said Michael Cox, who has the team's **No.1** runner in one but one meet, said the break would be a good preparation period.
"I wish it would hurry up and get
her the aid. I cannot hurt you."
Schwartz said the season was designed to provide a break between competition.
"We had a really good meet, and now we've come back and hammered it this week," he said. "Then next week we'll get our feet back under us and focus on the mental aspect."
Senior Sean Sheridan said he was
excited about the coming meet.
"It's a time to make adjustments," he said.
The road to the championship part of the season hasn't been easy.
Kansas has faced No. 1 Arkansas,
No.2 Iowa State, No.5 South Florida,
No.6 Wisconsin, No.14 Texas, No.16
Washington, No.17 Portland State
University, No.20 Weber State and
No.22 Bucknell.
"It's great to run against teams like Arkansas and Iowa State," Sheridan said. "We're not in this league." He is here to be hete of those team's.
Schwartz said the strong competition would help down the stretch.
"The only way to improve is to run against tough opponents, but you have to do it in an orderly fashion," he said. "It's like I told them, we
haven't put it all together yet and that excites me.
"It encourages me as to what we can do."
Cox said the team was ready to bring all the elements together.
"We haven't had a best race as a team yet this season," he said. "It's now time.
"We want to win the Big Eight. That's been a team goal for a long time."
The Big Eight meet will have an extra incentive for Kansas' runners because it will be on their home course.
Sheridan said having the Big Eight meet at Rim Rock Farm would make it special.
"It's like a dream," he said. "This is my last chance. Whether I finish first or dead last, I'm going to run as hard as I can."
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