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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (April 11, 2003)
m. PHE BATTAUl) note ires Sports The Battalion Page I B • Friday, April 11,2003 o. 17 Aggies travel to face Big 12 rival Kansas State have on others, peaceful heroes e same characterist i incorporate ’ said Betty Dal n Bediuzzaman irkish Muslim 20th century i il dialogue betwi id Christians, er-religious Dial sociation was ft rovide a forum for iscussion of dr nember Isil Dui ineering major vides a chance pie with diffa backgrounds anil fferent ideas in a said. Jasse, a senior con* nee ling major fra ^ j un j or pjp^ un | eas h e s a fastball against Sam tended the dials | ous t on state University last week at Olsen Field. Turkish friend wi ht it would be tra ther people to Tuifc se said. “But this t how to keep n non-violence w on't agree.” i/S IN BRIEF By Dallas Shipp THE BATTALION The No. 17 Texas A&M baseball team will travel to Manhattan, Kan., this weekend for a three game series against Kansas State, which enters the weekend 0-9 in Big 12 play looking for its first conference win of the year. Despite the Wildcats’ poor record, A&M Head Coach Mark Johnson said his team is not going to underestimate its oppo nent this weekend. “We are just trying to win series,” Johnson said. “I know people are saying (Kansas State) hasn't won a conference game, but we aren’t thinking we have a sweep in mind. If you start under estimating your opponent then you start having problems.” The Aggies (26-11, 7-5 Big 12) are in fifth place in the Big 12 and are coming off an 8-0 loss to No. 1 Rice. The Aggies managed just three hits against Owls starter Wade Townsend, who pitched eight innings of shutout baseball and struck out 10 Aggies. “Townsend is in the top 10 per cent of college pitchers and we caught him when he was really on,” Johnson said. “But that’s the game of baseball. You face a Randy Johnson one night and you can’t call yourself a bad team.” A&M will need to regroup against a weaker Wildcat squad this weekend. The Aggies will not change the weekend rotation on the mound. Sophomore Logan Kensing will get the start on Friday night again, with senior Zach Dixon on Saturday and junior Matt Famum throwing for A&M on Sunday, with junior Brian Finch providing support from the bullpen. Johnson said that while he miss es junior Justin Moore - who pitched most of the Friday night games in previous seasons before undergoing shoulder surgery earlier this year - Kensing has done a tremendous job for the Aggies. “The Friday night is usually the toughest game to pitch historically,” Johnson said. “Logan is an out standing pitcher, but has been a hard luck pitcher for us this year. We haven’t gotten him too many runs and have made some key errors when he’s been pitching for us.” Despite the lack of run sup port, Kensing has been strong on the mound, leading the team with 47 strikeouts. Famum is right behind Kensing with 37 strikeouts. He has been a source of consistency for the team, Johnson said. “(Famum’s) been on every time he’s pitched this year,” Johnson said. “Usually your (Sunday) starter is your fourth or fifth best pitcher but... Matt is one of our best pitchers.” One of the biggest struggles for the Aggies this season has been stopping the running game of their opponents. Junior catcher Justin Pouk and freshman catcher Craig Stinson have thrown out nine base runners combined out of 57 stolen base attempts for a putout percent age of just 16 percent. “We’ve got good arms back there. I’m surprised we haven’t thrown better,” Johnson said. “Not holding runners multiplies the problem as well.” Johnson said he hopes the A&M bats will wake up on the road. “Kansas State is at home and they are hungry for a win,” Johnson said. “Our hitters are going to have to step up this weekend.” Tennis team hosts No. 11 Tribe A&M returns to road against Kansas By Blake Kimzey THE BATTALION The Texas A&M Tennis Center will rock this Saturday w'hen No. 11 College of William & Mary rolls into town to take on the No. 30 A&M women’s tennis team in the Aggies' final home match of the season. With Big 12 tournament play right around the comer for A&M (13-8,6-2 Big 12), fac ing William & Mary (19-4) should prove to be a challenging tune-up. Thanks to an ad hoc schedule addition at the start of the season. Saturday’s match marks the first time the teams have played one another. It took a mild schedule irearrangement to make the trip a possibility, t week after seaiA but William & Mary Head Coach Brian jone Wild' r arrested CITY, Fla. (AP)-l makes "Girls Cu is is facing sex- * i charges after ained to police lors to lie about tin lera. is, chief executive ntertainment, n ions and a private! videotapes thati he stories of four Is and a 16 year cl In the "Girls Coi deos, college-ai e their breasts 0, was charged wi ;ing and racketeer!! 'restitution. He cot 35 years in n both counts. Ttiri ployees also le with racketeer hers with drug| has denied t has not yet enteii Kalbas said he is excited about the Tribe’s first visit to Aggieland. “We have a young team and it’s been a growing year for us, but Fm very proud of our development this year,” Kalbas said. “A&M always plays with togetherness, and for us to have a chance to come to College Station will be great.” The Tribe’s swing through Texas will conclude their regular season schedule before they head into the Colonial Athletic Association conference tournament. For the last six years, William & Mary has made it down to the Lone Star State to play the University of Texas. This year, the Tribe will finish their regular season in Austin after facing the Aggies this weekend. See Tribe on page 4B By Pete Burks THE BATTALION If anything has plagued the No. 18 Texas A&M soft- ball team (28-14, 6-4 Big 12) this year, it has been play ing on the road. The Aggies have had a strong season thus far with big wins over top teams such as Georgia, Stanford, Nebraska and Oklahoma State. But, finding consistency on the road has remained a problem. While maintaining a 16-1 home record this year, the Aggies have been more vulnerable elsewhere, as witnessed by their 3-7 record away from the Aggie Softball Complex. However, when the Aggies travel to Lawrence, Kan. this weekend to face the Kansas Jayhawks (22-12, 2-6 Big 12), they will get a chance to reverse the trend. On Wednesday, the Aggies faced a tough road oppo nent in the No. 5 Texas Longhorns. This time, unlike in recent road games for A&M. the defense had a nearly flawless outing and the game was competitive down to the last inning. Aggie junior pitcher Jessica Slataper (9- 10) pitched a masterful game, striking out six and JOHN C. LIVAS • THE BATTALION Crystal Martin turns a doubleplay against OSU last week. allowing only three baserunners until the bottom of the seventh inning. The Longhorns could not manage to get a runner past first base until Chez Sievers came to the plate. With the game tied at zero in the bottom of the seventh, Slataper See Kansas on page 4B 3 trial lawyers )rporations icial aid available I, business and | vW Parent’s Weekend Celebration you are invited to join us Saturday,April I 1,2003 for FREE FOOD from I 1:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Poolside DJ 9 Volleyball Tournament f BBQ While you are at Melrose you will be able to experience our 5 Star Customer Service! 601 Luther Street West * College Station, TX • 979-680-3680 * www.melrose.com •V 1 )./rS^r<P>sm\
