The Battalion
SPORTS 9
Thursday, March 23,1989
Ags will face tough road in SWC
No.5 Fullerton St.
shuts out A&M 2-0
By Doug Walker
SPORTS EDITOR
When the top-ranked Texas A&M
baseball team travels to Lubbock to
take on Texas Tech this weekend
the Aggies will attempt to live up to
some high expectations.
The Aggies, who last won an out
right Southwest Conference title in
1978, are off to their best start ever
by winning 26 of their first 27 games
and lead the national polls for the
first time ever.
Now' the Aggies have to prove
they deserve the ranking.
The media didn’t think A&M
could out-gun Texas before the sea
son as they picked Texas to win its
62nd title in 74 years of SWC base
ball.
Proving the sports writers wrong
won’t be easy in a conference which
is arguably the nation’s best with
four teams ranked in the top 20 na
tionally.
A&M, Texas (No.4), Houston
(No.l5) and 17th-ranked Arkansas
are in the national polls but don’t
have outstanding records compared
to their conference counterparts.
The Aggies go right into the fire
as they meet a Tech team which is
off to its best start ever at 18-6. Bay
lor (25-4) has a 13-game winning
streak and is 3-0 in the SWC after
sweeping Rice last weekend to start
the SWC season.
The strength of the conference
becomes apparent when you see that
every team in the league goes into
conference with a winning record.
Rice (17-13) has the worst overall
mark.
With the strength of the league,
SWC Baseball Standings
Team
Record
Pet.
1.Texas A&M
26
1
.963
2. Houston
27
2
.931
3.Baylor
25
4
.862
4.Arkansas
17
4
.810
5. Texas
27
7
.794
G.Texas Tech
18
6
.750
7.TCU
16
8
.667
8.Rice
17
13
.567
the potential for an upset is always
there for the contenders. Under
standably, no one seems to want the
favorite’s role.
“I don’t know how anybody
picked us over A&M,” Texas Coach
Cliff Gustafson said recently.
“T hey’ve got the pitching and the
hitting.”
Gustafson hasn’t won 1,047 games
in his career without knowing some
thing about motivation. The more
he builds up the Aggies, the better
he will look if the Longhorns steal
another title.
A&M Coach Mark Johnson says
the Aggies aren’t worried about pre
dictions by the media.
“The media are the ones con
cerned about the favorite, not us,”
Johnson said.
As the conference race swings into
high gear this weekend, the big ques
tion is whether Gustafson was sand
bagging or really concerned about
his team.
The Longhorns, with a 28-7 re
cord, have played a tougher sched
ule than the Aggies. But they have
been erratic against weaker oppo
nents.
Three of their seven losses have
come against Texas-Arlington, Dal
las Baptist and Texas Lutheran in
Austin. Pitching ace Kirk Dressen-
dorfer, last year’s SWC Player of the
Year, has been inconsistent. The
same can be said for the entire pitch
ing staff as the Longhorns enter
SWC play with a 4.48 earned run av
erage.
A&M has benefitted from strong
hitting and tough pitching in its im
pressive start. The Aggies have a
league-leading team batting average
of .347 and the league’s second-best
team ERA at 2.89.
Only Houston, the conference
darkhorse, has a better team ERA
with a mark of 2.66.
The 27-2 Cougars are led by Fred
Hinojosa, last year’s SWC batting
champ, who is hitting at a .415 clip.
Houston is riding an 11-game win
streak and opens SWC play at Ar
kansas this weekend.
A&M looks to be going into a fun
weekend series in Lubbock. A&M is
averaging over 19 runs per game in
their last six games with the Red
Raiders in Lubbock.
Johnson expects a tough confer
ence race and hopes his team won’t
be too much of a target because of
the number-one ranking.
“The conference is stronger this
year,” Johnson said. “Everybody
seems to have a good ballclub. The
problem is when we start knocking
each other off and the stats go
down.”
FROM STAFF & WIRE REPORTS
FULLERTON, Calif. — Anjie
Bryant allowed only four hits to si
lence Texas A&M as Fifth-ranked
Fullerton State downed the Aggies
2-0 in the opening game of the Pony
Invitational Wednesday night.
Bryant (10-1) struck out three
A&M hitters, overcame three Ful
lerton State errors and worked out
of jams in the First and Fifth innings
to preserve the shutout while A&M’s
Dana Mitchell dropped to 15-12 as
the hard-luck loser.
Mitchell only allowed three hits
and struck out one, but was hurt by
three Aggie errors.
The verdict moved Fullerton
State to 20-4 on the year while the
Aggies dropped to 15-13.
A&M Head Coach Bob Brock
knows the Aggies need to start tak
ing advantage of scoring opportuni
ties.
“I thought it was a real good
game,” Brock said. “We had our
chances to win.”
Fullerton State scored single runs
in the third and sixth innings to take
the win.
Cary Hess doubled with one out
in the third and scored when Nikki
Lewis singled to center to give Ful
lerton State a 1-0 lead.
A&M attempted a comeback in
the fifth as Michelle Mayfield
reached on an error and advanced
to third on a single to center by Bar
bara Kajs. Kajs moved to second on
the throw from center Field.
Rene Blaha followed by hitting a
grounder to second base. The sec
ond baseman hobbled the ball allow
ing Kajs to reach First. However,
MayField was out at the plate when
she tried to score on the play and the
second baseman threw her out.
“We’ve been playing a lot of
ranked teams and we are a team
without a lot of experience,” Brock
said.
A&M continues play in the tour
nament today with an 11 a.m. game
against the Akron Zips and a match
up with the Utah Utes at 3:30 p.m.
Sampson’s play seems to fall short— another victim of hype?
Remember a few years back when Sports
Illustrated ran the picture of a 7-foot high
school center who could take a silver dollar
off the top of the backboard? The kid’s
name was Ralph Sampson, a college
prospect who had recruiters around the
country falling over each other in a
desperate attempt to sign him.
He was a player they thought would be
the franchise of any program in the
country.
Sampson had all the tools that basketball
coaches dream of: extraordinary height
(and he was still growing), agility, speed as
well as great defensive ability. Sampson had
his whole future laid out in front of him
with nowhere to go but up, and he was
calling the shots.
Somehow, some way, Head Coach Terry
Holland got Sampson to commit to
Virginia, a program that was mediocre, at
best, in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Sampson was the savior. He was going to
make the Cavaliers a contender in the
already competitive ACC as well as an
influence in the recruitment of other blue-
chip players.
The Virginia athletic department was
already preparing for the onslaught of
media coverage. The press had found its
candidate for the hyped player of the year
award.
He became a dominant force in the
conference and throughout the country,
both on and off the court. His size and
agility were the marvel of opposing coaches
and players. It was Holland’s chance to
make a name for himself, to put Virginia on
the basketball map, to win it all in the
NCAA tournament.
But it never happened. Granted, the
Virginia basketball program improved
considerably during the Sampson years, but
it had nowhere to go but up. The recruiting
improved as did the national exposure for
the program and the school. But the
bottom line became winning the big one for
many Virginia faithf ul, and the Cavaliers
couldn’t do it.
Obviously, one reason behind this failure
was that Sampson couldn’t do the job alone
— he needed help from the other starting
four. But the other starting four weren’t
that bad. Guard Jeff Lamp had one of the
best field goal and free throw percentages
in the ACC.
The one factor that many might not have
considered in the analysis of Virginia’s
problems at the time was that the team was
only as good as its record. This is primarily
because the great and unstoppable Ralph
Sampson was overrated.
He could be stopped. He did have
weaknesses. It was the age-old problem that
has plagued teams since the beginning of
organized sport — the franchise player who
doesn’t produce.
The hype that followed Sampson
through college stayed with him as he
entered the National Basketball
Association, where many felt his talents
would be better suited. Once again, Ralph
proved everyone wrong.
His arrival in Houston signaled what was
to be a step toward the establishment of a
dynasty for the Rockets, as the pairing of
Akeem Olajuwon and Sampson promised
to be one of the most dominating low-post
pairings in the NBA.
But Sampson was never happy in his role
as a power forward while Olajuwon
garnered the publicity as center, making
the dream pairing impossible. His point
totals dropped as well as his defensive play,
prompting then Rockets’ coach Bill Fitch to
question Sampson’s motives concerning his
attitude toward the team.
He didn’t simply accept his role with the
team and try to work with the other players,
but somehow felt that he needed to be the
center of it all for the Rockets. Fitch
thought otherwise.
Now Sampson is struggling to fit in with
Golden State, which felt the acquisition of
Sampson would only boost the Warriors’
hopes in the Western Conference. He
returned from the third knee operation in
as many years at the end of January and has
tried to produce for coach Don Nelson,
who restructured his lineup with quicker
players when Sampson left.
But it is ironic, however, that sometime
in the future the team is going to need a
center, a person to take charge, produce
and be the key player. That’s what Sampson
has always wanted, but now he might not be
physically able to take that challenge.
Class Council Newsletter
CLASS OF ’89
Spring Induction Banquets
Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4th & 5th, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Room 224, MSC
On Tuesday and Wednesday, April 4th & 5th, the Association of Former Stu
dents will host the Spring Induction Banquets in our honor, inducting May ’89 and
Summer ’89 graduates into the Association. Each eligible senior may attend either
night, but not both. December ’89 graduates will be invited to the Fall Induction
Banquets to be held in November. This FREE steak dinner should not be missed
as we will be joining the past 1,028,998 graduates and friends of Texas A&M who
continue to support our great University.
Tickets are required for attendance and will be available from 8:00a.m. -
5:00p.m., March 28th, 29th, & 30th at the ticket table located at the Flag Room in
the MSC. You must present your I.D. to receive a ticket. If you must cancel, please
return your ticket so that another senior will have the opportunity of attending. As
seating is limited each night, tickets will be given out on a first-come, first-served
basis. Voting for Class Agents will be held at each banquet. Don’t miss ’em - the
beginning of the rest of our lives as FORMER STUDENTS! Whoop!
Senior Weekend
Friday and Saturday, April 28th & 29th
SENIORS, get ready for the greatest weekend of your life. Our Class will
proudly celebrate the 1989 Ring Dance while observing the 100th Anniversary of
the Aggie Ring, “A Century In Gold”. Senior Weekend guarantees to be memora
ble, from the Senior Bash on Friday night to the Ring Dance on Saturday night,
plus more!
SENIOR BANQUET The Banquet will be held at the University Hotel & Con
vention Center. The evening begins with a Cash Bar from 6.30-7:30p.m., followed
by dinner. Our guest speaker, Clayton W. Williams, Jr. ’54, will highlight the eve
ning and a slide show, reflecting our Senior Year, will end the banquet. If you’d like
to add pictures to the show, please drop them off in the Class of ’89 cubicle in the
MSC Student Programs Office.
As there are a limited number of seats available for the banquet, tickets will be
on sale only from March 27th through April 26th to ensure that everyone is
served.
RING DANCE This special event each of you has been waiting for is finally
here. It will be held from 9:00p.m. until 1:00a.m. in the MSC and Rudder com
plexes. Entertainment will include The Ed Gerlach Orchestra for the big band mu
sic in the Rudder Exhibit Hall and The Change will play in the MSC Ballroom. Pi
ano bar entertainment will be provided by Jim Aman on the 2nd Floor of Rudder
Tower.
Pictures will be taken from 1:00p.m. until 1:00a.m. Saturday in the Rudder Au
ditorium. Packages are $15.00 and $10.00. Come early to avoid the lines!
After the last waltz at the dance, continue the celebration at the University Ho
tel & Convention Center with your own get-togethers. Rooms have been blocked
for us for April 29th, Saturday night only. Reservation cards will be available when
you purchase your weekend tickets and mailed to you if you mail in your ticket or
der, or you may make your own reservation by calling the hotel. Be sure to tell the
hotel you are Class of 89 in order to get your room discount. The cost is $30.00
per room. This is the first time ever a class has been able to do this, so let’s take
advantage of a great deal. Maybe the Class of ’89 is starting another Senior
Weekend Tradition!
HOW TO GET TICKETS Tickets for Senior Weekend will be on sale March
27th through April 26th at the Rudder Box Office. Prices are:
Senior Bash - $5.00 per couple
Senior Banquet - $30.00 per couple
Ring Dance - $35.00 per couple
Use MASTERCARD, VISA, cash or check.
For just $65.00 you can get the WEEKEND PACKAGE, including all three events.
Order by mail using the order form enclosed. Orders must be received by April
10th to ensure you receive your tickets.
Senior Class Gift Committee
The Senior Class Gift Committee is pleased to announce the winners of the class
gift.
1. Monetary gift to the library
This gift will be used to purchase collections of materials (books, periodicals, etc.)
2. Centennial Ring Sculpture
This gift commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Aggie Ring. The sculpture,
which is cast in bronze & gold plated, is 12 in. in diameter. It will sit on a marble
base. The sculpture will be located in a visible area.
CLASS AGENTS
Class of ’89... It’s time to vote for your Class Agents. These are
the people who will be responsible for representing our class at
A&M, keeping you up-to-date on everything dealing with A&M by
sending you newsletters, raising money for our class, and plan
ning our five year reunion. Any member of the Class of ‘89 may
vote on the Class Agent candidates March 28-30 at a table in the
MSC for the Senior Induction Banquet, or graduating Seniors
(May or August) may vote at the Senior Induction Banquet, April 4
and 5.
CLASS OF ’90
AWARENESS
Melinda Palmer, Awareness Chairman, has effectively worked to
wards her goal of increased communication between Class Coun
cil and the Class of ’90. Along with her committee, she coordi
nated a Class Gift Awareness Week and is now working with Boot
Dance Committee on an awareness week for their event. Great
job, Melinda and committee!
BOOT DANCE
This year’s Boot Dance promises to be the best one ever! Thanks
to the hard work of Co-chairmen Louis Mayer and Don McCale
and their terrific committee, preperations for Boot Dance are com
ing along perfectly! Meetings are held every Mon. night at 8:30 in
Lounge “B” on the Quad. All are welcome! Boot Dance will be
held on May 13 in Rudder! Whoop! Watch for more details com
ing soon during Boot Dance Awareness Week!
CLASS BALL
Class Ball was held jointly with the class of ’91 on March 3 at the
University Inn. Attendance exceeded expectations and the dance
floor was always hopping! Congratulations to Tracy Ham-
merstein, Class Ball Chairman, and her committee on an out
standing job! Party Pics can be ordered and formal puctures can
be picked up in the MSC the week of March 20-24!
CLASS GIFT
Class Gift Chairman, Kristin Hay, and her deducated commit
tee have been working closely with the Class of 89 and the Ass.
of Former Students in order to better plan for our Class Gift. A
Class Gift Awareness Week was held earlier in the semester and
suggestions were taken. For those of you with fresh ideas for our
Class Gift, it is not too late! Kristin would love to receive your sug
gestion in her box in the class of 90 cube in the SPO, on the sec
ond floor of the MSC!
FUNDRAISING
A big pat on the back to Karen Hodge, Fundraising
Chairman, and her devoted committee on the $4,000
profit from Elephant Walk t-shirt sales! Whoop! This
much needed money will go towards furthering our
programs and funding our Class Gift. The next project
in the works is the designing of the Boot Dance t-shirt
in conjunction with the Boot Dance Committee.
SPECIAL EVENTS
The Special Events Committee was formed to in
crease Class of 90 participation in Texas A&M activ
ities. Tony Vordenbaum, Special Events Chairman, re
cently coordinated our involvement in Big Event and is
now working on increasing communication between
Junior Leaders involved in different organizations.
SCRAPBOOK
Our superb Historian, Sharon Brunner, would appre
ciate any photos or mementos from your junior year.
These can be placed in her box located in our cube in
the Student Programs Office, 2nd floor MSC. She
would greatly appreciate your contribution to the
scrapbook!
And lastly, the following individuals deserve spe
cial recognition for all their hard work which went in to
making this year a success: Katherine Smith, Pres.;
Mike Campbell, Vice Pres.; Jason Kappel, Sec.; Kath
leen Broderick, Treas.; Jennifer Evans, Social Sec.;
and Sharon Brunner, Historian. Gig Em!
If you have any questions concerning
any of this material, please call Den
ise Arledge, Class of ’89 Pres i dent, at
693-6439 or 845-1515.