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^ COfcLEGLAN SPORtS 6—Daily Collegian Wednesday, April 14, 1993 FREE SHOTS BY DANNY EVANS Who the hell isSparky? The Masters is widely recog¬ nized as one of the most majestic events in sports. Having been a golf fan for only a few years, I'm still learning how to watch golf, but even a moron like me can see why this tournament is unlike any other: the nasty green jackets, the fairways lined ten-deep with rich, snobby, pastel-wearing amateurs. It's really quite a sight. But as this year's version was winding down Sunday afternoon, I heard something so slight but so tearfully funny, I nearly lost it. Quiet please . - * Golf is supposed to be a quiet sport. Except for the occasional "Fore!," most courses ask for com¬ mon courtesy and silence on the course so that uncoordinated hack¬ ers — in other words, everybody —can concentrate on their shanks and slices. As leader Bernhard Longer, who also won the event in 1985, teed off at the 16th hole — one of the rnost beautiful on any golf course, the fairway lined with people and a water hazard to the left of the fair¬ way shimmering in the Georgia sun—the eerie silence was broken just after contact by a hilarious outburst. "Sparky!" Sparky?Whotheheckis Sparky? Some dweeb standing close to the microphone that records the whack of ball and club promised his pal, the Sparky in question, that he would hear his name on-the air at The Masters. Was I the only one in America who noticed that? Probably. While other golf fans were paying atten¬ tion to Ben Wright's magnificent commentary or the spring in bloom in Georgia, I heard some drunk foolon the course calling "Sparky." Maybe I should stick to watch¬ ing basketball. Is that you Magic? Magic Johnson has done a great job as a color commentator for the NBA on NBC this year, but during Sunday's Lakers/Sonics game at the Great Western Forum, Johnson repeatedly wondered aloud why L.A. head coach Randy Pfund re¬ fused to take advantage of a height mismatch inside. With Seattle's Shawn Kemp out of the game, the overmatched Sonics enlisted point guard Gary Payton and Ricky Pierce to guard' , 7-1 center Benoit Benjamin in the low post Johnson alluded to the mismatch on three differentpcca-. sions and chastised Pfund for not pushing the ball into Benjamin. Hmmm. I respect Johnson's eye for the game, but as a lifelong See Evans/page 7 'Dogs' win streak halted at five Division II Cal Poly-SLO spoils , FSU party with 4-2 win at Beiden By Danny Evans Staff writer . C The old cliche is that baseball games aren't won on paper. Need proof? Take a good, long look at Tuesday night's clash be¬ tween 23rd-ranked Fresno State and Division II challenger Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo at Beiden Field. The Bulldogs.ridingafi ve-game winning streak, started the non- conference game with a lineup con¬ sisting of nine .300-or-better hit¬ ters and the Western Athletic Conference's strikeout leader, jun-^ iorright-handerSteveSoderstrorh, standing stoically on the nioiuid. On paper, the Bulldogs looked like a lock.'On the field, they looked like, well, use your imagination. The Bulldogs (25-13) commited three costly errors and uncharac¬ teristically failed to come through with clutch hits in a 4-2 loss to the 21-HMustanes before 1.6441ess- than-thrilled red-clad fans. "We just didn't hit with people on base tonight," said Bulldog Head Coach Bob Bennett matter-of- factly. "We didn't have a lot of chances, but we had enough chances to win the ball game. We just didn't do it." . Soderstrom, considered one of the top Major League prospectwn college baseball, pitched well, but the Mustangs lit him up for three runs c)n three hits in the pivotal fourth inning. Still, his final line Aaron Riggs/The Daily Collegian Bulldog shortstop Ben Reynoso went one for four in last night's 4-2 home loss to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. was impressive: seven innings, four hits, three runs (one earned), and eight strikeouts. He did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. TheBulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the third when rightfielder Bill Thrasher scored on Mike Roe's infield grounder. But in the fourth, Cal Poly unloaded on Soderstrom. "After leftfielderPhil James beat- out a close throw from second for the Mustangs' first hit. Bulldog second baseman Eric Greene mis¬ handled a possible double-play grounder, leaving runners at first and second with one out. Grant Munger then ripped a line drive off the shoulder of FSU shortstop Ben Reynoso and into left field, scor¬ ing James from second. Mustangs third baseman Jon Macalutas then delivered the inning's biggest Mow, a towering ground-rule double to center field that brought home one run and left runners at second .and third. The final run of the frame came across on Kevin Tucker's sacrificelly.. "Soderstrom pitched well except for one inning, but to win you have to get the 'except for' out of there," Bennett said. Said Soderstrom (5-5), "It was just one of those innings where (they were hitting the ball really well. We had an error or two mixed in there and it just got out of hand. There didn't seem to be much I could do about it." The Bulldogs came back with a run in the fifth on a double by Roe and a single by left fielder Brad Dandridge, but failed to capitalize with the game on the line in the final two innings. _; ■ "I really didn'tteel like we came into the game flat or cocky," Bennett-said. "It's happened be¬ fore; we've been on a roll and lost to somebody who we perceived to be less than what they really are. I don't think we've done that with Cal Poly in the last couple of years because they' ve been really tough." Mustangs starter Scott Mollihan struggled with his control early, but went a strong 7 1/3 innings to earn his fourth win without a loss. He walked four, struck out two and allowed two earned runs. For Cal Poly head coach Steve McFarland, wins like the one his squad earned Tuesday-night have become commonplace at Beiden Field. Last year, the Mustangs crushed the Bulldogs on their home turf, 15-2 and 9-8. "I wouldn't call it a habit," McFarland said, "but every once in a while we're fortunate. We get fired up to play here in a great ballpark against a good Division I opponent. I dink we're doing fairly well right now, but we've been struggling with injuries. This is a nice win for us." Strong pitching a tradition for FSU After slow start, pitching stabilizes to take pressure off hot Bulldog bats By Dave Donnelly Staffwriter Since Beiden Tneld opened for business in 1984, the Fresno State baseball team has seen 19 of its pitchers drafted by major league teams. The list of Bulldog draftees is a veritable Who's Who in FSU his¬ tory: K.C. Royal Mark Gardner, N.Y. Met Bobby Jones.Steve Buckholz, Florida Marlin Jim Patterson and John Salles. Two of the playenr. drafted are still with the Bulldogs. Steve Soderstrom and Mike Salazar turned down potential big money and fame to attend FSU. It's usually so hard for a high school or college baseball player to make the decision to turn pro¬ fessional, but, according to coach Bob Bennett it's easier these days to make that d&ision to attend college. "They're giving a lot of money to college pitchers now, probably more money than they are to high school pitchers," Bennett said. "Unless the gify is a No. 1 draft choice out of high school, he's smarter to go to college because if he plays well in college he'll get more money after his junior or senior season." Soderstrom was drafted after his senior season at Turlock High School in the 15th round of the June draft while "Sally", as he is . known to fans and teammates, was chosen last season by the Oakland A's in the 27th round. | Both players feel they/made die right decision by coming to Fresno State but at the same time the deci- BULLDOGS'BIG THREb Mike Salazar 8-1,2.95 ERA Steve Soderstrom 5-5,3.27 ERA Mark Cruise 3-3,3.99 ERA sion was by no means an easy one. "I didn't think I was ready out of ready out of high school and I'll probably get more money this year," Soderstrom said. After finishing the 1992 cam¬ paign with seven wins in his last nine regular season starts, all eyes focused on Soderstrom when he was tabbed a preseason All-Ameri- can. But Soderstrom started slowly, losing four of his first seven decisions despite his typical pro¬ lific strikout numbers. He also missed two starts, one because of stiffness in his elbow. Since returning to the starting , rotation against Santa Clara, the junior righthander is 2-1 with-a 2.91 ERA, raising his season record to 5-5 and lowering his ERA to 3.35. Soderstrom is strik¬ ing out batters at an alarming pace for opponents, averaging 10.3 whiffs each nine innings. "He's had a couple of bad out¬ ings and he's pitched well at times. Today he pitched real well except one inning," Bennett said after last night's game. "He's pitching bet-" ter now than he was earlier." Soderstrom was expected to be the ace of the staff but it is Salazar who is in the midst of his finest season as a Bulldog. Salazar has started 12 games and boasts an 8-1 record, 3-0 in the WAC. He has won eight consecu¬ tive starts. • He has kept opposing batters i See Pitching/page 7
Object Description
Title | 1993_04 The Daily Collegian April 1993 |
Alternative Title | Daily Collegian (California State University, Fresno) |
Publisher | Associated Students of Fresno State, Fresno, Calif. |
Publication Date | 1993 |
Description | Daily (except weedends) during the school year. Microfilm. Palo Alto, Calif.: BMI Library Microfilms, 1986- microfilm reels; 35 mm. Vol.1, no.1 (Feb 8, 1922)- |
Subject | California State University, Fresno -- Periodicals. |
Contributors | Associated Students of Fresno State. |
Coverage | Vol.1 no.1 (Feb 8, 1922)- to present |
Format | Microfilm reels, 35 mm. |
Technical Information | Scanned at 600 dpi; TIFF; Microfilm ScanPro 2000 "E-image data" |
Language | eng |
Description
Title | April 14, 1993, Page 6 |
Alternative Title | Daily Collegian (California State University, Fresno) |
Publisher | Associated Students of Fresno State, Fresno, Calif. |
Publication Date | 1993 |
Description | Daily (except weedends) during the school year. Microfilm. Palo Alto, Calif.: BMI Library Microfilms, 1986- microfilm reels; 35 mm. Vol.1, no.1 (Feb 8, 1922)- |
Subject | California State University, Fresno -- Periodicals. |
Contributors | Associated Students of Fresno State. |
Coverage | Vol.1 no.1 (Feb 8, 1922)- to present |
Format | Microfilm reels, 35 mm. |
Technical Information | Scanned at 600 dpi; TIFF; Microfilm ScanPro 2000 "E-image data" |
Language | eng |
Full-Text-Search | ^ COfcLEGLAN SPORtS 6—Daily Collegian Wednesday, April 14, 1993 FREE SHOTS BY DANNY EVANS Who the hell isSparky? The Masters is widely recog¬ nized as one of the most majestic events in sports. Having been a golf fan for only a few years, I'm still learning how to watch golf, but even a moron like me can see why this tournament is unlike any other: the nasty green jackets, the fairways lined ten-deep with rich, snobby, pastel-wearing amateurs. It's really quite a sight. But as this year's version was winding down Sunday afternoon, I heard something so slight but so tearfully funny, I nearly lost it. Quiet please . - * Golf is supposed to be a quiet sport. Except for the occasional "Fore!," most courses ask for com¬ mon courtesy and silence on the course so that uncoordinated hack¬ ers — in other words, everybody —can concentrate on their shanks and slices. As leader Bernhard Longer, who also won the event in 1985, teed off at the 16th hole — one of the rnost beautiful on any golf course, the fairway lined with people and a water hazard to the left of the fair¬ way shimmering in the Georgia sun—the eerie silence was broken just after contact by a hilarious outburst. "Sparky!" Sparky?Whotheheckis Sparky? Some dweeb standing close to the microphone that records the whack of ball and club promised his pal, the Sparky in question, that he would hear his name on-the air at The Masters. Was I the only one in America who noticed that? Probably. While other golf fans were paying atten¬ tion to Ben Wright's magnificent commentary or the spring in bloom in Georgia, I heard some drunk foolon the course calling "Sparky." Maybe I should stick to watch¬ ing basketball. Is that you Magic? Magic Johnson has done a great job as a color commentator for the NBA on NBC this year, but during Sunday's Lakers/Sonics game at the Great Western Forum, Johnson repeatedly wondered aloud why L.A. head coach Randy Pfund re¬ fused to take advantage of a height mismatch inside. With Seattle's Shawn Kemp out of the game, the overmatched Sonics enlisted point guard Gary Payton and Ricky Pierce to guard' , 7-1 center Benoit Benjamin in the low post Johnson alluded to the mismatch on three differentpcca-. sions and chastised Pfund for not pushing the ball into Benjamin. Hmmm. I respect Johnson's eye for the game, but as a lifelong See Evans/page 7 'Dogs' win streak halted at five Division II Cal Poly-SLO spoils , FSU party with 4-2 win at Beiden By Danny Evans Staff writer . C The old cliche is that baseball games aren't won on paper. Need proof? Take a good, long look at Tuesday night's clash be¬ tween 23rd-ranked Fresno State and Division II challenger Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo at Beiden Field. The Bulldogs.ridingafi ve-game winning streak, started the non- conference game with a lineup con¬ sisting of nine .300-or-better hit¬ ters and the Western Athletic Conference's strikeout leader, jun-^ iorright-handerSteveSoderstrorh, standing stoically on the nioiuid. On paper, the Bulldogs looked like a lock.'On the field, they looked like, well, use your imagination. The Bulldogs (25-13) commited three costly errors and uncharac¬ teristically failed to come through with clutch hits in a 4-2 loss to the 21-HMustanes before 1.6441ess- than-thrilled red-clad fans. "We just didn't hit with people on base tonight," said Bulldog Head Coach Bob Bennett matter-of- factly. "We didn't have a lot of chances, but we had enough chances to win the ball game. We just didn't do it." . Soderstrom, considered one of the top Major League prospectwn college baseball, pitched well, but the Mustangs lit him up for three runs c)n three hits in the pivotal fourth inning. Still, his final line Aaron Riggs/The Daily Collegian Bulldog shortstop Ben Reynoso went one for four in last night's 4-2 home loss to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. was impressive: seven innings, four hits, three runs (one earned), and eight strikeouts. He did not allow a hit until the fourth inning. TheBulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the third when rightfielder Bill Thrasher scored on Mike Roe's infield grounder. But in the fourth, Cal Poly unloaded on Soderstrom. "After leftfielderPhil James beat- out a close throw from second for the Mustangs' first hit. Bulldog second baseman Eric Greene mis¬ handled a possible double-play grounder, leaving runners at first and second with one out. Grant Munger then ripped a line drive off the shoulder of FSU shortstop Ben Reynoso and into left field, scor¬ ing James from second. Mustangs third baseman Jon Macalutas then delivered the inning's biggest Mow, a towering ground-rule double to center field that brought home one run and left runners at second .and third. The final run of the frame came across on Kevin Tucker's sacrificelly.. "Soderstrom pitched well except for one inning, but to win you have to get the 'except for' out of there," Bennett said. Said Soderstrom (5-5), "It was just one of those innings where (they were hitting the ball really well. We had an error or two mixed in there and it just got out of hand. There didn't seem to be much I could do about it." The Bulldogs came back with a run in the fifth on a double by Roe and a single by left fielder Brad Dandridge, but failed to capitalize with the game on the line in the final two innings. _; ■ "I really didn'tteel like we came into the game flat or cocky," Bennett-said. "It's happened be¬ fore; we've been on a roll and lost to somebody who we perceived to be less than what they really are. I don't think we've done that with Cal Poly in the last couple of years because they' ve been really tough." Mustangs starter Scott Mollihan struggled with his control early, but went a strong 7 1/3 innings to earn his fourth win without a loss. He walked four, struck out two and allowed two earned runs. For Cal Poly head coach Steve McFarland, wins like the one his squad earned Tuesday-night have become commonplace at Beiden Field. Last year, the Mustangs crushed the Bulldogs on their home turf, 15-2 and 9-8. "I wouldn't call it a habit," McFarland said, "but every once in a while we're fortunate. We get fired up to play here in a great ballpark against a good Division I opponent. I dink we're doing fairly well right now, but we've been struggling with injuries. This is a nice win for us." Strong pitching a tradition for FSU After slow start, pitching stabilizes to take pressure off hot Bulldog bats By Dave Donnelly Staffwriter Since Beiden Tneld opened for business in 1984, the Fresno State baseball team has seen 19 of its pitchers drafted by major league teams. The list of Bulldog draftees is a veritable Who's Who in FSU his¬ tory: K.C. Royal Mark Gardner, N.Y. Met Bobby Jones.Steve Buckholz, Florida Marlin Jim Patterson and John Salles. Two of the playenr. drafted are still with the Bulldogs. Steve Soderstrom and Mike Salazar turned down potential big money and fame to attend FSU. It's usually so hard for a high school or college baseball player to make the decision to turn pro¬ fessional, but, according to coach Bob Bennett it's easier these days to make that d&ision to attend college. "They're giving a lot of money to college pitchers now, probably more money than they are to high school pitchers," Bennett said. "Unless the gify is a No. 1 draft choice out of high school, he's smarter to go to college because if he plays well in college he'll get more money after his junior or senior season." Soderstrom was drafted after his senior season at Turlock High School in the 15th round of the June draft while "Sally", as he is . known to fans and teammates, was chosen last season by the Oakland A's in the 27th round. | Both players feel they/made die right decision by coming to Fresno State but at the same time the deci- BULLDOGS'BIG THREb Mike Salazar 8-1,2.95 ERA Steve Soderstrom 5-5,3.27 ERA Mark Cruise 3-3,3.99 ERA sion was by no means an easy one. "I didn't think I was ready out of ready out of high school and I'll probably get more money this year," Soderstrom said. After finishing the 1992 cam¬ paign with seven wins in his last nine regular season starts, all eyes focused on Soderstrom when he was tabbed a preseason All-Ameri- can. But Soderstrom started slowly, losing four of his first seven decisions despite his typical pro¬ lific strikout numbers. He also missed two starts, one because of stiffness in his elbow. Since returning to the starting , rotation against Santa Clara, the junior righthander is 2-1 with-a 2.91 ERA, raising his season record to 5-5 and lowering his ERA to 3.35. Soderstrom is strik¬ ing out batters at an alarming pace for opponents, averaging 10.3 whiffs each nine innings. "He's had a couple of bad out¬ ings and he's pitched well at times. Today he pitched real well except one inning," Bennett said after last night's game. "He's pitching bet-" ter now than he was earlier." Soderstrom was expected to be the ace of the staff but it is Salazar who is in the midst of his finest season as a Bulldog. Salazar has started 12 games and boasts an 8-1 record, 3-0 in the WAC. He has won eight consecu¬ tive starts. • He has kept opposing batters i See Pitching/page 7 |