Sports University Daily Kansan / Friday, May 4, 1990 13 Kansas looks to tournament E. Joseph Zurga/KANSAN Christy Arterburn shows an umpire the ball after tagging Creighton's Brenda Konfrst at second base. Season record brings top seed By Paul Augeri Kansan sportswriter Kansas softball In this, Haack's third year, the much-improved Jayhawks escaped to 4-15 and won the Big Eight title with a 9-1 conference record. Top-seeded Kansas will play the winner of the Oklahoma-Missouri game in its first game of the Big Eight softball tournament at 7 tonight at Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City, Okla. "It is the Cadillac of softball fields," Haack said. "And I'll let you know Sunday at about 5 p.m. whether we are the Cadillac of Big Eight teams." The title game of the double elimination tournament will be played at 3 p.m. Sunday. Top-seeded Kansas is followed in order by Nebraska, Oklahoma State. Missouri, Oklahoma and Iowa State. The Jayhawks last won the Big Eight tournament championship in 1979. The鞍 finished fifth last year. The Cowgirls won last year, and the Cornhuskers won the previous four titles. "In years before, one team was dominating," shortstop Christy Arterbunn said. "Now there are a couple of teams who can beat any one." Sixth-seeded Iowa State and third-seeded Oklahoma State play at 1 p.m. today in the opening game. The winning team will play Nebraska. "Oklahoma State has got their hands full if they win and have to play Pelbaska." Hack said. "Nebau has finally started hitting the ball." Although Oklahoma State is the sixth-ranked team in NCAA Division 1 softball, Kansas backup second baseman Kim Doyle said the team must be concerned with the play of a much-improved Nebraska team. The Cornhuskers finished second in the Big Eight with an 8-2 record, winning seven of their last eight conference games. "They are peaking at the same time we are," Doyle said. "We are going to have to come out and play aggressive like we've been playing. Everything else will take care of itself." Kansas pitcher Roanna Brazier, 26-5 and 5-1, will start today for Kansas. Brazier lost to Nebraska 6-1 conference opener four weeks ago. Since that opening conference loss, the Jayhawks have won their remaining nine Big Eight games. they are going to hit the crap out of me again." "Nebraska has come on strong," Brazier said. "If we are not careful, "The team believes it can win." Horyk said. "When I was here two years ago, the team we had then didn't know what it took to win." and jayhawks won 20 of their final 21 games, and assistant coach Brad Horky said that the team never doubted its ability. "We are playing right well now," he said. "We knew we wanted to the No 1 seed; that's what we were and It puts us in the best situation." Horky said Kansas had no added pressure from being the No. 1 seed in the tournament. Because they are the No. 1 seed, the Jayhawks were put into a bracket that included the middle seeds — No. 4 Missouri and No. 5 Oklahoma. "We can't overlook Oklahoma or Missouri, but the stronger teams are going to be playing each other before they get to us." Haack said. "That's the beauty of being the No. 1 seed. At the team's last practice Wednesday, Haack said he told his team to play with a relaxed attitude. "I don't want us to feel like there is pressure on us," Haack said. "I just want us to relax. be confident and happy with football. And then, I think we'll win." "I think that is why we finished No. 1, because we've had all three of those," he said. "and then we lose all those three we are susceptible to being beaten." In Haack's first two seasons with the Jayhawks, they finished in fifth place in the tournament. He said his team must balance its hitting, pitching and defense to play well in Oklahoma City. Jayawks prepare for championships By Miriam Reid Kansan sportswriter Jayhawk Invitational is final home meet While most Kansas sports programs are finishing their seasons, the Kansas track team still is preparing for the Big Eight Conference Championships on May 20-22 in Norman, Okla. This weekend, Kansas will play Kansas track host to the Jayhawk Invitational, its second and final home meet of the outdoor season. Assistant coach Troy Himmel said the significance of the meet was minor and that it was created to prepare the athletes before the "It's a pretty low key meet," he said. "It's just to keep the kids going." While the majority of the team will be in Lawrence preparing for the meet, Kansas coach Gary Schwartz and three members of the coaching staff participated in Gatorade Invitational this weekend in Knoxville. Tone Triple jumper Johnny Brackins and distance runner Steffe Heffernan and Jon Joslin have the opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships May 30-June 2 in Durham, N.C., if they perform well in Tennessee, Hamilton said. "He puts too much pressure on himself." Hamilton said. "If he would just let the chips fall where they may, he would do great." "They're doing better than they've ever done," said assistant coach Steve Guymon. "This is a meet. It will be good for them." Hamilton said Brackins did not qualify because he had been a victim of circumstance, which prompted him and his personal expectations. Hefnerham and Joelin will run in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and the 1,000-meter run respectively. the 1,500-meter run respectively. Guymon said they both were still learning the events. Javelin thrower Vince Labosky was the only Jayhawk to qualify for the NCAA championships earlier this season. He qualified for the meet with a 229-8 throw at the LSU Purple Tiger Invitational meet in March. Since the LSU meet, Labosky threw a personal best mark of 242-1 at the Kansas Relays. '(Brackins) puts too much pressure on himself. If he would just let the chips fall where they may, he would do great.' Theo Hamilton Kansas assistant coach "Now, I don't have any pressure," said Labosky, who was unsure of whether he would compete in the Jayhawk Invitational. "It's not really a highly competitive meet. I'm trying to conserve my energy. You can get burned out, and I need a little time to rest in order to concentrate on technique and not on competition." Hamilton said final week would give the team an opportunity to modify their training to prepare for the Big Eight competition. He said the season would end for most of the Kansas track team in two weeks, despite the possibility of mutual meets for select athletes. The only other athletes who Hamilton said might still qualify for nationals were middle distance runner Julie Howerton and spinner Sherla Brooks. Kansas softball statistics Record: overall 41-15, Big Eight 9-1. BATTING **DKY1** G G AB G R H HR HI RB AVG 15 Sacco G 16 18 32 58 0 8 349 15 Antruban G 187 18 43 64 5 8 342 40 Spalten G 187 18 31 65 2 8 344 10 Henning G 163 15 15 49 0 16 287 16 Brazer G 160 14 14 49 0 16 287 16 Branze G 119 10 20 31 0 15 237 3 Sack G 51 11 11 26 10 14 218 16 Hill G 119 48 11 30 10 14 218 16 Doyle G 43 29 14 4 0 2 207 12 Edwards G 29 18 6 14 0 2 207 12 Edwards G 29 18 6 14 0 2 207 12 Frost G 55 101 10 15 0 9 149 4 Balay G 23 15 15 0 0 9 149 0 Sports briefs KANSAS 56 1416 217 382 5 139 .270 111 **Orlando** 56 140 100 117 274 5 68 196 128 Doubles — Splits — Hening B, Hening E, Briewers 5. Atherton 4. Back 4. Ackay 4. Hoyer 3. Sacoo 3. Hill 2. Randall 1. Kansas 4. Documents 36. **Strikeouts** — Bazel 19, Frost 17, Jack 16, Sack 20, Armen 13, Arboren 18, Ewen 9, Heath 9, Hibie 8, Bayle 8, Gatzen 6, Stanford 6, Doyle 4, Kansas 128. Opponents 18. 2. Spartan 1, Kansas 4 Triples — Spartan 2, Edwards 2, Brazer 1, Doyle 1, Hennig 1, Hill 1, Kansas 9, Opponents 4. Walka ==Hover 23, Sack 13, Spalte 14, Anerunbe 12, Braten 12, Braten 10, Heaven 6, Boney 8, Doyle 6, Edwards 5, Edwards 4, Hill 1, Bailey 1, Kansas 117, Decumbers 76 PITCHING PLAYER G W 26 L ERA S I P 290 H K 131 Brauner 30 W 26 5.94 0.94 20.90 H 161 Sack 11 4 3 1.10 1 51.0 43 12 Bayley 12 11 4 1.14 1 21.6 92 15 Shutouts — Brazier 12, Bailey 6, Kansas 20, Doncents 1. KANAS 56 41 15 1.12 1 0.58 309 2,194 Opponents 56 11 15 1.12 5 0.39 371 182 Opponents' batting average = Brazer 182 Baira 204, Back 229, Karien 196, Opponents' Opponents' batting average — Brazer 192, Bailey 204, Sack 229, Kansas 196. Opponents 270 Runs — Brazer 48, Bailey 44, Sack 18, Kansas 110. Dougencris 217. Walks — Brazier 40, Barley 2019; Sack 16 Kansas 75. Opponents 117 MEN'S GOLF WRAPS SEASON: A week after its last tournament, the Kansas men's golf team will return to action when it begins first round play in the Midwestern invitational tournament in Cawartha Country Club in DeKalb, Ontario. DEKALI. in. Kansas took third place out of 15 teams in the tournament last year. The tournament, which consists of 19 teams this year, will finish play tomorrow. This is the last tournament of the year for the Jawhayks. However, there is a possibility that Kansas could receive an All-Star qualifier, the NCAA Regional Qualifiers, which take place May 24-26 in Columbus, Ohio. The Jawhawks are coming off a disappointing fifth-place finish at the Big Eight Championships, Kansas, which was picked to finish third in a Big Eight coaches' poll, was tied for third place with Colorado after 27 holes. Kansas, 7-9 in Big Eight play, is tied with Nebraska for fourth place in the conference. The Cyclones are just one game ahead of the Hawkeyes and JAYHAWKS TIED FOR FOURTH: The Kansas baseball team will continue its quest for one of the four berths in the Big Eight Conference postseason tournament when it begins a four-game series with conference rival Iowa State at 7 tonight in Ames, Iowa. the huskers. Iowa State is 8-8 in the Big Eight and is in third place. Kansas took three of four games from Oklahoma in last weekend's Big Eight series and moved out of the conference cellar. Iowa State lost three of four games to Oklahoma in the Big Eight split a four-game series with Missouri in Columbia, Mo. last weekend. CHIEFS' SIGNINGS: The Kansas City Chiefs signed three rookie free agents yesterday. Wille Davis, a 6-foot, 159-pound player from Central Arkansas, caught 63 passes for a 20.5-yard run during his collegiate career. Howard Huckaby, a 9-9, 180-pound wide-out retiree specialist from Florida A&M, holds school records with 74 backpacks, and 74 kickoff returns for 1,810 yards. The Chiefs also announced the signing of rookie free agent Rich Schonewolf, a defensive tackle from Schweinfeld, who is 6-4 and weighs 278 pounds. Wide receiver Tony Jeffery, a 12th-round draft pick of the Chiefs, also signed a two-year deal with the club. Jeffery was the 1990 Chiefs' draft pick to agree to a contract. Jeffery, a 5-foot-10, 173-pounder, plaved one season at San Jose State after making the squand in 1988 as a walk-on. In the 1989 season, he caught 11 passes for a 29.2-yard average and two touchdowns. MUSBURGER IN, MICHAELS OUTT? Brent Musburger has arrived at ABC. Now the question is whether Al Michaels will depart. Musburger and ABC on Wednesday announced a deal reportedly worth $11 million over six years. He will broadcast college football games, but was also said was speculation that Musburger's arrival would hasten Michael's exit. "We've got AI under contract, and we expect AI to do Monday night football this year and be involved in the 25th anniversary Super Bowl," ABC Sports president Dennis Swanson said. "I consider Al a friend. And I'm hopeful that he'll be at ABC for as long as I am." Musburger said. Nonetheless, speculation continued in the television industry about a possible Michael moves to CBS. Michaels, who met with CBS last month, has filed an arbitration grievance against ABC because it suspended him for using his daughter as a runner during a skating broadcast. a Filmer during a skating Michaels, the play-by-play announceor for Monday night football, did not return a telephone message left on his answering machine in Los Angeles. Missouri receives official letter of inquiry COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Athletic Director Dick Tamburo said yesterday he was relieved to finally receive an official letter of inquiry from the NCAA into the men's basketball program. "I was pleased to get it just from the standpoint of getting the response prepared for it and getting our program moving forward. We're in the process of evaluating it right now," he said. from the NCAA on Wednesday. The letter lists charges against the program and "officially informs you that they've looked at your program and anks you to respond accordingly." Tamburo said. The Associated Press the university scheduled a news conference for Monday afternoon, when it will distribute the letter. Stewart recovered and led Missouri to an NCAA tournament appearance this year. Missouri lost in the first round to Northern Iowa. The basketball program has been under investigation since February 1989, the same time Coach Norm Stewart collapsed on the team plane and later underwent cancer surgery. Sunvold was suspended in February 1989 for allegedly buying tickets for recruit P.J. Mays of Cincinnati. Mays' mother, Yvonne, tapped a telephone conversation with Sunvold. The NCAA investigation is believed to have focused on recruiting violations, including assistant coach Bob Young, buying airline tickets for recruits. Sundvold was reinstated in April 1989, but his suspension was the first of a series of events at Missouri that included allegations that players were given cash and charges of recruiting violations. NCAA officials have said that violations in the Missouri program are a priority of the NCAA but probably will not be considered at the next scheduled infractions hearing in June. The university has six weeks to respond to the letter. Kauffman to regain full team ownership There is scant possibility, Kauffman said, of the American League club leaving Kansas City. The Associated Press Missouri received the official letter KANAS CITY, Mo. — Seven years after an ailing Ewing Kaufmann sold half-interest in the Kansas City Royals to Avon Fogelman, a health care polished to regain full ownership from a financially sick Fogelman. club leaving Harvey. "His financial situation has deteriorated," Kaufman said of Fogelman. "I feel sorry for the man. But he is drowning and trying to stay alive." Fogelman, a Memphis real estate developer and devoted baseball fan, bought into the team in 1983 when Kaufman, the team founder, was thought to have serious health problems. In the past two years, Fogelman's financial situation has markedly deteriorated and Kaufman admitted their personal relationship also has soured. "Obviously, I feel different about him than I did," Kauffman said at a news conference at Royals Stadium yesterday. Kauffman said under the proposal, which he is considering, Kauffman would loan the club $34 million and the club would then loan the money to Fogelman, who is best by banks and other creditors. The loan would be secured by Fogelman's 50 percent interest in the club. Fogelman would then give Kauffman an option to buy out Fogelman's interest for the outstanding balance of the loan. Kaufman said he would not require much time to make a decision. "hopetally, it will be this month," he said at the news conference. "Then an investment banker will be hired to receive bids. The bids will be taken by Oct. 15 and closed by Jan. 2 of next year." At that point, the Royals would be offered for sale to the highest bidder acceptable to Major League Baseball, and Kauffman would be allowed to match the offer. He had a quick answer when asked if he was prepared to meet "any bid." "No, sir," he said. "There may be some wild bids. If somebody came in with an outlandish bid and has the right to pick the of the owners, it might happen." Under their original agreement, Fogelman has the option to purchase Kaufman's half of the club. Kauffman noted that Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent has promised not to let the team leave Kansas City. And in addition, the Royals and Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL recently signed 25-year leases, and voters in April approved a new financing measure with Jackson County guaranteeing the teams certain financial help. "He has the right to buy me out if he pays the $10 million. But there's no way he's going to do that," Kauffman said. "You're talking about hundreds of millions of dollars in real estate, of unsecured loans without collateral." It is anticipated, the Royals said in a statement, that Kaufman's option would be exercised immediately after his purchase actual purchase would occur later. An acceptable bidder would have to repay the $34 million loan, as well as all amounts owed by the Royals to Kauffman, and assume all other liabilities, including the new stadium lease. If a itd is received by a third party, Kauffman would have the right to meet it but should not be obligated to. The closing of the sale would occur on Jan. 31, and no such event was received, Kauffman would purchase Fogelman's interest on Jan. 3, 1991. Kauffman said he does not expect anyone in Kansas City to purchase the club. Pitcher scheduled for more surgery GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Dave Drawecky, who broke his arm pitching just days after returning to the mound during his rehabilitation from cancer surgery, is scheduled for more surgery next week, the publisher of his book said yesterday. The Associated Press A cancerous tumor was diagnosed in the former San Francisco Giants left-hander's throwing arm at the height of his career in 1986. In October 1988, a malignant tumor and nearly half the deltoid muscle were removed during an eight-hour operation. Doctors said his career was over, but less than a year later Dravecky returned. Aug. 10, 1989, he pitched eight innings against Cincinnati and led the Giants to a 4-3 victory. But five days later, while pitching against the Montreal Expos, Dravecky broke his throwing arm. "Dave's attitude through all of the ordeals remains consistent," said Scott Bolinder, publisher of Zondervan General Trade Books. "He is truly an inspiration to overcoming obstacles and tragedies. As a Christian, his testimony is a shining example." Favorites face Kentucky Derby jinx The Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Summer Squail is the early favorite for Saturday's Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, where he has already demonstrated his winning ways. "Hun Howard, the once-beaten colt's trainer, however, thinks the betting public would loot her. Then he, a trainer Laz BarRerie "will have in worry about those superstitions." *Derby favorites have been jinxed. The last one to win was Spectacular Bid in 1979.* The third choice, at 8-1, was the D. Wayne Lukas-trained entry of Land Mister Frisky, winner of all 16 of his races, was next at 8-5. Oddsmaker Mike Battaglia rated Summer Squall the 7-5 favorite in the field of 16 3-year-olds entered Thursday for the Derby. Rush, Real Cash and Power Lunch, followed by Thirty Six Red, 10-1, and Silver Ending and Unbridled, each 12-1. "I picked Summer Squall because of his Kentucky connections," Battaglia said. "He's won twice at Churchill Downs, and Pat Day is a winning jockey on this track. This may be the year he gets rid of his Derby jinx."