5309
A2322
v * 105:no.141
TheBi;
"he Battalion
Sports
Page 3 • Wednesday, June 9, 1999
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BY REECE FLOOD
The Battalion
It would be difficult for the Texas A&M to
top Sunday’s late-inning heroics against Clem-
Ison University, but they will try when they
iface the nation’s best teams this week at the
[College World Series at Omaha, Neb.
After being blown out by A&M, 20-3, last
[Friday, the Tigers won Saturday, 10-3, to force
|a third game.
Senior Matt Ward started for the Aggies
■ Sunday and carried A&M into the sixth inning,
I when junior Casey Possum was brought to the
Imound.
After pitching for a victory against Clem-
Ison Friday, Possum received another win
[against the Tigers Sunday, beating them, 5-4.
A&M baseball coach Mark Johnson said he
[was impressed by the righthander’s perfor-
[ mance Sunday.
“I thought he threw exceptionally,” he said.
Also playing an important role in the game
I were the four double plays made on defense,
I including a move by rightfielder Daylon Holt
I to catch a fly ball and throw the bullet to
I catcher Shawn Schumacher for a tagout, pre-
I venting a Tiger run.
Highlighting the Sunday game were the
two home runs hit by Steve Scarborough and
Steven Truitt in the top of the ninth inning to
give the Aggies the lead for good.
A&M seemed to be running on all cylin
ders, as a strong pitching performance, key
defensive plays and big hits in clutch situa
tions helped them to the victory.
Johnson praised his team’s poise in the
clutch.
“[This team has] a type of character that
doesn’t give up,” he said. “It is resilient; it has
College elite take
World Series field
SALLIE TURNER/The Battalion
Aggie senior first baseman John Scheschuk (left) and the Texas A&M Baseball Team will begin
their pursuit of the College World Series title Saturday against Florida State University.
0
strong resolve towards reaching goals.
“We’ve had some good teams. This isn’t
the only team (to make the CWS). Once you
make it to Omaha, then you separate yourself
from the other ones regardless of how good
they were.”
The Aggies, who carry an overall record of
52-16 with them into the tournament, said
they are excited about making the trip to Om
aha.
“It’s pretty much unbelievable,” junior
rightfielder Daylon Holt said. “It’s like a life
long dream come true.”
Senior first baseman John Scheschuk said
he is ready for the trip.
“I’ve been waiting four years to do this,”
he said.
Although the team is hoping for success in
Omaha, it will not be an easy task. A&M will
play their first game of the tournament Satur
day against the Florida State University Semi-
noles (53-12).
“Somebody said you really got a tough draw
by drawing Florida State,” Johnson said. “My
response was ‘Who’s an easy draw at Omaha?”’
The Seminoles will start ace pitcher Nick
Stocks (12-2) this Saturday. Stocks, against
whom batters have hit just .218, received a
slight jaw injury during a celebration pileup
after the Super Regional victory.
The Aggies know it will be difficult to win
the College World Series, but they said they
are confident in their abilities.
“People [have] got to understand that
when you face good pitching, you’re not go
ing to get 10 runs,” Scheschuk said. “But
they’re going to be facing good pitching, too.”
A&M will start Possum (12-6) Saturday.
Possum said he was encouraged by his per
formance last weekend.
“My slider was the best it’s been all sea
son,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hope
fully having that pitch, my best slider, when I
come into the game on Saturday.”
Florida State has not had a lot of luck in the
College World Series. The Seminoles have
see Aggies on Page 4.
BY REECE FLOOD
The Battalion
The 1999 College World Series
kicks off Friday, as eight teams
from across the country gather in
pursuit of the same goal.
The University of Miami, Flori
da State University, Cal State-
Fullerton, Oklahoma State Univer
sity, the University of Alabama,
Stanford University and Rice Uni
versity will all compete against the
Texas A&M Baseball Team to bring
home the tro
phy. Each
team has bat
tled its way
through Re
gional and
Super Re
gional com
petition to make it to Rosenblatt
Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska.
Oklahoma State University (46-
19) will get the tournament started
by taking on Alabama (51-14) Fri
day at 2:30 p.m.
The Cowboys of Oklahoma
State will rely on the play of junior
outfielder Lament Matthews (30
HRs) and senior Josh Holliday. Hol
liday, who split time this season be
tween third base and catcher, has
an on-base percentage of nearly
.500. The Cowboys beat Baylor
University in Waco last weekend to
win the Super Regional. Oklahoma
State has won one title in 19 previ
ous World Series appearances.
After beating Louisiana State
University in their Super Regional,
Alabama is riding a 15-game win
ning streak into Omaha. Senior
shortstop Andy Phillips is in third
place on the SEC’s all-time home-
run list and will try to extend his
33-game hitting streak. Senior out
fielder G. W. Keller also is looking
to play an important role in the
tournament at the plate and on the
base paths with nearly 40 stolen
bases on the season. Alabama is
making its fifth appearance in the
College World Series.
The University of Miami (46-13)
will take on Rice University (58-13)
Friday night at 6:30 in a probable
pitchers’ duel.
Miami coach Jim Morris is tak
ing his team to the College World
Series for the
sixth consec
utive season.
The Hurri
canes rode
the coattails
of veteran
College World
Series pitch
ers David Gil and Alex Santos to a
win over a tough Wake Forest team
to win the Super Regional. Miami
has won two national titles in 17
trips to the CWS.
Coach Wayne Graham also is
taking the Rice Owls to Omaha on
the back of a strong pitching staff.
Rice’s all-time wins leader junior
Jeff Nicholls (15-3) and junior
Mario Ramos lead a powerful ro
tation that produces victories de
spite the Owls’ offensive short
comings.
Rice, which defeated South
western Louisiana State Univer
sity to win its Super Regional in
Houston, is making its second
appearance in the College World
Series.
see Series on Page 4.
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