SPORTS
University Daily Kansan / Thursday, September 5 1991
13
Athlete reaches for gold
Picked from a field of 55 players who tried out, Kansas third baseman Camille Spitaleri was one of 18 softball players who represented the United States at the Pan American games in Cuba this summer.
By Jeff Kobs
Kansan Sportswriter
Ever since she began playing softball at age 13, Camille Spitaleri has dreamed of playing for a gold medal.
Spitaleri, Kansas' senior third baseman, realized that dream this summer when she played second baseman. U.S. Pan American softball team.
The Americans were undefeated and beat Canada 14-1 to win the gold medal.
"It was an incredible experience," she said. "I remember looking down and seeing my uniform with U.S.A. across it and I just stopped and thought about how lucky I was."
Spit, as she was nicknamed by her Kansas teammates, said she could not believe she was playing for the gold.
The Sunnyvale, Calif., native was one of 18 players selected from a field of 55 at the Pan American Softball Tournament in the Colorado springs. Colon, June 15-21.
To be invited to the trials, players had to have All-American status. Spitaleri is a two-time All-American third baseman at Kansas.
"I was real proud of her accomplishments this summer with the Pan Am team," Kansas softball coach Kalum Haack said. "But I was also scared she might get hurt."
Haack said that if Spitaleri had not had the opportunity to play in Cuba, she might have taken some time off.
But Spitaleri was on the diamond for what seemed to be the entire summer.
She played fast-pitch softball for the California Knights during the summer and helped that team get to the Olympic Festival in Los Angeles.
Up next were the Pan American games. Then Spitalier returned to play with the Knights in the National Tournament in Decaler, Ill.
Now back on the field for Kansas, Spitaleri, who led the Jayhawks with a .377 batting average and a .574 slugging percentage last season, is concentrating on this year's Jayhawkteam.
"I want our team to win the Big Eight and then go on to the World Series," she said.
Spitalier said she hoped the end of the 1991-92 season wouldn't be the end of her career. She has her sights set on an Olympic gold medal.
"I'll be about 25 in 1996, but I think I'll still be able to play. I love the game and will play it as long as I can," she said.
'Hawks primed for invitational after UTEP trip
ByJeffKobs
Allen Field House is best known for being the home of Kansas basketball, but the Kansas volleyball team hopes to make their presence known tomorrow when they play host to the Kansas Invitational Tournament.
Kansan Sportswriter
The Jayhawks head into their home opener with a 3-1 record after winning the Texas-EI Paso tournament last weekend.
"We were playing pretty smooth and by the end of the tournament we were controlling the games," senior outside hitter Adrian Powell said. "We really like going into our tournament coming off three wins."
Kansas will open play in the round-brown tournament at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow against 'Tulsa On Saturday, the team is scheduled to play at 10:00 a.m. and Nevada-Raio at 5:00
"We are excited to play at home."
"Alzze, it will be nice not having
to play with you."
She said that the early season tournaments were crucial for the team as they prepared for the conference race.
"It will be important for us to keep the momentum and the intensity going," she said. "Right now we look pretty good, but we have to keep working toward the Big Eight matches."
Powell said that the team was excit
ed to play at home and expected to do well.
"One of our team goals is to win three of our four tournaments, including our final against the N.C. State."
Albizt said who started tomorrow would depend on this week's practices, but that she was considering the use of a bench he used in last weekend's tournament.
If so, the woodstars would be seniors
Julie Woodruff at rutter, Kris Kleinschmidt and Adrian Powell at outside hitters, Mary Beth Bella at middle blocker and Cyndee Kanabel at off-hand hitter.
The last position would be filled by either junior Kim DeHoff or senior Lisa Seigle, who trade off depending on rotation position. DeHoff plays front line and Seigle, a defensive specialist, plays backline.
The Jayhawks put in a new offense during spring practice. Last week's loss to 10th ranked New Mexico was the first chance they had to try it against an opposing team.
"We have so much experience with our seniors, so the new offense just adds to the team," Kanabel said. "We need to keep developing it, but I really
Albizt said the loss to New Mexico couldn't be blamed on the new offense.
"Everyone was tight, even the seniors," she said.
Punchless Royals fall to Chicago 4-1
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Alex Fernandez's goal of getting his first career shutout continues to remain just out of reach.
timer was hit by Fernandez pitched two-hit ball for seven-plus innings yesterday, leading Chicago past the Royals 4-1.
Fernandez (7-12) gave up a single to Danny Tartabul in the first inning and a home run to pinch hitter Kurt Stillwell leading off the eighth. Scott Radinsky then relieved and finished the eighth. Bobby Thiggen worked the ninth for his 28th save in 35 chances.
The White Sox won for just the seventh time in 24 games. Bo Jackson lined out as a pinch hitter, making him 0-for-8, all against Kansas City, since returning to the majors.
Hal McRae, Kansas City manager.
complained that his offense was slug gish.
"It it's tough to win when you get only two hits," he said. "The guys are pressing. They have to be more relaxed and get the base hits."
Chicago's Jackson said he also needed to relax.
"My base hits will come," he said. "I'm not worried. After all, nobody hits a homer every time up."
Mike Boddicker (11-10) gaveup four runs on six hits in six innings. Chicago loaded the bases in the first inning on two walks and an infield single before Vance Johnson's single made it 2-0.
Chicago made it 3-0 in the second when Tim Raines was hit by a pitch, stole his 47th base and scored on Robin Ventura's single.
Rejuvenated Navratilova to face Graf in semifinal
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Martina Navratilova had Jimmy Connors on her mind as she scamped around the court against a panton, weary teen-ager and surged into the U.S. Open semifinals.
"Ikept coming in," she said after her 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 comeback against Arantx Sanchez-Vicario on yesterday. "I saw Ijmw do it over the course of five sets. I said, 'Gosh, you keep it up for almost five hours?'
"But I thought if he can do it for that long, I can do it for half the time."
An incredulous look crossed Sanchez-Vicaro's face when she was asked if she thought Navratiova was old.
"No-oh!" the 19-year-old from Spain said with a laugh.
Navratilvna broke Sanchez-
Vicario's last five services to win the 2-hour, 12-minute match, reaching the
The men's match between fifth seeded Ivan Lendi and Michel Stich, the tournament's number three seed, was delayed by rain last night.
semis for the 12th time in 17 years and setting up a match tomorrow against No.1 Steffi Graf.
Graf, who beat Conchita Martinez6-1, 6-3, has beaten Navratilova in their last four matches and has breezed to the semis without dropping a set. But Navratilova won seven of her first 10 matches against Graf and has improved after knee surgery. Navratilova also two years ago. Navratilova also has a new and better serve since she upset by Jennifer Capriati at Wimbleden in June.
Navratilova struggled in her second straight three-setter of this tournament, but got some gifts from Sanchez Vicario, none more welcome than a forehand volley dumped into the net at the court wide open on the final point.
KU football team picked to win opener
By David Mitchell Kansan Sportswriter
Players get ready for sold-out 'Battle in the Bowl' at the University of Toledo
While the Kansas football team is favored to win its season open opener Saturday against the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio, the game is not a contest that the Jayhawks can afford to look past.
"I've heard they have commercials and they're making this out to be the biggest game in Toleo history," junior quarterback Chip Hillary said. "We can't take them lightly at all."
Kansas Coach Glen Mason, who coached Toledo's conference rival Kent for two years, said that the conference was unaccustomed to playing Big Eight Conference-caliber opponents at home.
The Rockets finished the 1990 season with a 9-2 mark, tied for first in the Mid-American Conference.
"They've built it up a big game," Mason said. "There's been a lot of hype around it. It's really setting the ball up in the Mid-America Conference."
Toledo, whose home field is called the Glass Bowl, has billed the sold-out game as "the Battle in the Bowl."
the Rockets set a record for season-ticket sales this fall. The Rockets have sold 9,550 season tickets in the 26,248-seat stadium.
roedo Coach Gary Pinkel said that besides Washington, Kansas would be the biggest team the Rockets would play this season. Kansas outweighs Toledo at all positions except the offensive backs.
Last year the Jayhawks lost the season opener 59-10 against Virginia, a preseason top-10 team. Mason said that beginning this season as the favorite put some added pressure on the team.
"When we were picked to finish last in the conference and the consensus vote was probably that we wouldn't win one game, there's no pressure in that situation," Mason said.
"People in this area are not familiar with the Mid-American Conference or the University of Toledo," Mason said. "They assume you should win. If you don't win you'll hear about it."
While he said it was important to start the season on a winning note, Mason said that Toledo was not a must-win game.
"One game does not make a season, win or lose," he said.
`mr season the Jayhawks have been picked to finish fourth in the Big Eight. Mason said that the team has a good start to meet those expectations.
Mason said that he was pleased with the team's performance in fall camp.
"We're just polishing up and getting ready to go," he said.
Vinnie Johnson cut by Pistons
Jennson, a 12-year NBA veteran and Detroit's leader in games played, was cut because the Pistons are awash in guards and players being up against their jets' cap.
SPORTS BRIEFSE
DETROIT — Vinnie Johnson, called the "Microwave" for his ability to come in hot off the bench, was waived by the Pistons yesterday.
The 35-year old Johnson has played in 798 games for Detroit and is fifth on the team's scoring list with 10,146 points.
coach
Under NBA rules, only half of Johnson's guaranteed $1.5 million salary for the 1991-92 season would coul
Other NBA teams have two days to claim Johnson, but any team doing so would be obligated to meet the terms of his current two-year contract. One year and an option year remain on the contract.
Detroit has a large, if largely untried, corps of backup guards. Behind starters Isiah Thomas and Joe Dumars, there are second-year pro Lance Blanks and five off-season acquisitions.
against the Pistons' salary cap. That would free the remainder for additional signings or trades.
Surgery set for Cunningham
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham underwent major surgery on his left knee yesterday, and his replacement, Jim McMahon, was named the NFC's offensive player of the week.
Dr. Clarence Shields, Cunningham's surgeon, said Cunningham should be ready to return by next year's training camp.
the first play of the second quarter against the Green Bay Packers. He suffered a torn medial collateral ligament and posterior cruciate ligament.
Cunningham was injured Sunday when hit by linebacker Bryce Paup on
"The prognosis is very good," the shields said. "One advantage is that Randall is very outstanding athlete. He's been injured once before and knows how much work it takes to get back your confidence as well as well as your strength. And he's very committed to doing that."
McMahon, who threw just 12 passes last season after leading the Chicago bears through the mid-80s, completed 17 of 25 passes for 257 yards sunday as the Eagles beat the Packers.
McMahon's tea,tea, Reggis White was named NPC defensive player.
Thurman Thomas of the Bills and Albert Lewis of the Chiefs won AFC honors.
KANSAS CITY, Mo — The Kansas City Chiefs reinstalled running back Bill Jones from the reserve list yesterday and placed linebacker Tracy Rogers on the injured reserve with a strained hamstring.
Bill Jones returns to Chiefs
The Chiefs suspended Jones for last weekend's game against the Atlanta Falcons after he was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and careless driving, both misdemeanor charges.
Jones, 24, was released from custody after posting a $1,050 bond.
Rogers, 24, played in 10 games for the Chiefs last season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Rogers backed up both inside and outside linebacker position and was one of two top coverage men on special teams.
ESPN, ABCstart radio station
NEW YORK — ESPN and ABC Radio will jointly launch an all-sports national radio network in January 1992, the two networks said yesterday.
The Chiefs waived defensive end Scott Miller from the practice squad in exchange for a forward. Pickens from injured reserve to make room for Rogers and Weatherspoon.
The network will provide 16 hours of programming weekly, with weekend shows and weekday reports during morning and afternoon drive times.
The team also announced the signing of free agent backer Stephen Weatherpoon to the practice squad
weather spooper.
Weatherspoon, 23, was waived by the San Diego Chargers during the preseason. The 6-foot-2, 245-pound from Lubbock, Texas, played his college football at Texas Tech.
The weekend shows will run from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Eastern time with a Sunday show from 7 to 9a.m. The weekend programming will concentrate on live news, interviews, game reports and magazine-style programming, ESPN said.
The network will be called "ESPN Radio Network" and network officials expect to have 200 stations signed by January. ESPN said 25 stations in the top 50 markets already were committed to the network.
"The ESPN Radio Network will enhance ESPN's position as the leader in electronic sports news and information," said Steve Bornstein, president of ESPN.
"Our sports expertise, combined with ABCRadio's network experience, makes this a rewarding venture for all sports fans," he said.
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