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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 30, 1998)
12 Pure Continued from Page 9 Rape did not just bounce back. He returned to form and added a third pitch to his arsenal. He was A&M’s opening-day starter and combined with two other pitchers - Shane King and Chris Scarcella — to no-hit South west Texas State. Rupe leads the staff in strike outs with a career-best 100 and has the lowest earned run average among the Aggies’ starters. He now has 256 strikeouts in four seasons at A&M, placing him third on the schools’ all- time list. Just as important as his contributions from the mound has been the wisdom he has passed down to other pitchers. Ten of A&M’s 15 hurlers are either freshmen or sophomores and the ad vice Rupe gives them does not go unnoticed. “His presence out there is almost like having another coach out there sometimes,” Pitching Coach Jim I^awler said. “He understands how to prepare for a game. He knows that if his fast ball’s not working one night he can still win. He’s learned how to beat people without velocity.” Learning how to win is something the young team has done well this season. Rupe said he hopes the success continues. “I want to win the Big 12,” he said. “I want to walk out of here with a ring. That’s my whole goal right now.” A&M’s last conference title came in 1993, the season before Rupe arrived at A&M. The five-year conference title drought is the longest since Coach Mark Johnson took over in 1985. “I think all the players are self serving,” Johnson said. “They want a ring for them selves, but I think it would be really special for everyone if Ryan got a rin# After all, leaving wgP a rin g and a few records would be quitf’ an accomplishment for a guy who mam s*P ec ted to bypass col lege all together. TM’Ugh all of his trials and tribulations, Ru/^as learned so much more than he ever^* mec ^ he could have. “He’s x&iHy a guy who could have shut it down," j(?/w ,son said. “The doctors really ques tioned iWiether or not he could throw again, butiic/^rsisted and continued through it. Cri- sis is .j/ways a learning experience and he’s re- a/Zymatured with all he’s been through.” airline tickets ... new cars... coding soon for airline tickets (coming soon - new cars) called priceline.com. Simply call or visit our web site - tell us where you want to go and how much you want to pay. Go ahead! i.soo.priceline | priceline.com Thursday • April30, Harsch uU| Continued from Page9 Mmm, Mmm,Good With three games against and the conference tournament: remaining, several Aggies have: ready written their names inllie record books with outstanding performances over the course the Big 12 season. John Scheschukhasbrokenl Bynington’s RBI mark of35,set! 1989 by dim home 39 nm He is close to passingCM Alexander's 1995 Souths conference campaignof total basest 70, but team- Scheschuk mate Craig Kuzmichas beaten him to it by piling up 74 Both Scheschuk and Kuzmic have 11 home runs on thecoi ence year, which betters the ten blasts John Curl hit in 1995. Leftfielder St even Truitt non stands alone in the categoryof most doubles in a league season ^ as his 13 two-baggers put hint' five Aggies who are tied with tei And some guy namedlynerl established new marks foracoi ference season with 32 runsscoi 18 steals and 54 hits. JasonTyntt steal mark breaks his recordofl ^ that was set last season. okt| A Deluxe Apartment in the! A&M’s recent run of sura which has seen the Aggiestaki four straight and nineoftheiiil^ eleven, has done morethanji put the team into contention the Big 12 title this weekend; gotten them credit inthepols well. A&M is ranked lOthintheBa ball America poll, ajumpupfrn 12th a week ago and theirhiglte ranking of the year in anypoi. I'Cisrl >.ill \merica has five f| six Big 12 South teams ranked, A&M leading the way. Baylor stands at 16th, followed by Okla homa State at 17th, Texas Techai 21st and Oklahoma at 22nd. The only omission?Texas, which has a 9-14 Big 12 recorda a 2 1 -28-1 overall mark. Fhattie came against Stanford, currenik ranked 1st nationally, as theCai nal had to leave to catch a back to California withthescoit tied at the end of the sixth Travis Harsch isafreshm ^ Journalism nt ( 0 TYNER Continued from Page9 This past summer,Tyneraniil low Aggie Casey Possum travt around the world with on Baseball team. Tyner led thetean hitting with a .434 average. Sophomore left fielderStevel itt saidthatT) er is the typf guy he wants a teammate. “He is type of pi who goes and gives usl all," Truitt sJ “Hewantstof as much as i ofus. Hekno Tyner his role on the team andheiscoif with his role. He comes out hereto successful and to help the team Johnson said that Tyner's teat mates benefit from his play. “(Steve) Scarborough gets aid fast balls to hit because jynerisa ally on base and is such a steal,” Johnson said. "He crei havoc for other teams.” Because of his success on field, some expect Tyner to h high-round draft choice in that coming draft. “I expect to be drafted in first three rounds, butyount know,” Tyner said. “The very unpredictable.” Presently, Tyner is enjoyii the attention he is receiving pro scouts. “ Right now I’m just kind ofi the wave,” Tyner said. Christmas I received Chrii cards from major league teantt just enjoying it.” Tyner said that he will & whether to turn pro or return to when the time is appropriateJ now he has his mind on other “I began playing organized^ ball when I was five, and I lo' ! ' from the beginning,” Tyner sail has always been a dream ofniin play pro ball, but right now I a® enjoying this team. My maingi 1 to win the Big 12 and get the Hopefully we will host a regional cause this is the greatest pla ( play in all of college baseball.'