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Show I Page C-1- 2 Openings BasedaixSoftoall 1989 Ute sluggers look for speed and pitching instead of power By Jim Burton Chronicle Sports Writer Rick Sofield, braintrust of the Utah baseball team, is nothing if not a motivator. Like an army drill instructor, he seems able to get the most out of his team. But as baseball coach at Utah, he's had a hard time getting the most out of the WAG With powerhouses like Hawaii, BYU and San Diego State in the conference, the Utes have had to settle for what seems like second best Add to the tough schedule the fact that the WAC's top three teams are also the three most highly funded teams, and you've got a problem even Sofield worries about Right? That's all you can do. Let the chips fall where they may." With Madsen gone, Sofield has sought a new baseball Last year, he was able to play for the three-ru- n Ehilosophy. Madsen in the line up; now he is faced with a lack of power and will rely more on speed than a big bat "We're going to have to manufacture some more runs this season, " Sofield explained. "Last year we stole 60 bases in 82 attempts; now that's not bad, but this year we'll need about 75 bases. We've got some guys who can still hit the ball, but we'll be running more this time." But Sofield is also quick to point out that Utah baseball is far too unpredictable for a set game plan like that "I can't say for sure that we won't be a home run team. We've got Jared Nye, Rob Beck and Steve Sigloch with us; and those guys can hit the ball," Sofield said. Nope! "I see the league as one of parity, " Sofield said. "Air Force, Utah, New Mexico and even Colorado State, which almost had to shut down last year because of money trouble, all had pretty good teams and could have been on the way to Hawaii for the conference championships. I don't want anymore gray hair, so I'm going to stop worrying about all the good teams in the WAC, I'm going to worry about Utah baseball and let them worry about themselves." OK, but worrying about Utah baseball can also make a guy's hair turn gray...even fall out This season, Sofield will have his ' all-WA- finished second with five. Madsen's departure to the pros has left a void in the team, but at least the Utes had the luxury of having him at alL Last season, Sofield recruited a handfull of quality players for this year's squad. Unfortunately, the amateur draft claimed a few of those top prospects. "Hey, we had some dandies all ready to come here, but they " got picked up by the pros, Sofield lamented. "We could have had some top prospects here, but that's baseball Just when you think you've got a handle on it, something changes for you." Sofield; never one to dwell on the ones who got away, said that pitching was one of his top priorities. " "Pitching wins games for you; that's the bottom line, he We've success. said. "Pitching will be the key to our improved a lot in this area, but we need more. We've got three fine pitchers coming back for us: (Craig) Sudbury, (Paul) Barton and (Don) Emery. Everyone needs to turn in some impeccable performances." Sudbury was the Utes leading pitcher last year. The big righthander finished the season with a 7 record, a ERA of 6.93, 41 strikeouts and 85 innings pitched. Barton, who moonlights as a backup quarterback on the Ute football team, was Utah's leading lefthander, finished with a 4 record, a 7.19 ERA, 26 strikeouts and 46 innings piched. Emery finished the season with a 7 record, 29 strikeouts and an ERA of 8.08. 7-- 2-- hands full worrying about any number of changes in the program. One of those changes, perhaps the biggest one of all, will be trying to find a replacement for three-tim- e centerfielder Lance Madsen. Madsen left the Utes early this summer after being drafted in the 12th round of Major League Baseball's amateur draft by the Houston Astros. But while Madsen has labored in the minor leagues, Sofield has labored trying to fill a giant hole in his line up. "I don't know if you can ever replace a Lance Madsen," Sofield said. "I think you just have to find someone to play centerfield and hope the guy gives his best for you every day. Last year Madsen hit 18 round trippers. The next closest in this catagory were Beck and Sigloch with seven each. Nye 1-- C Junior shortstop Mike Arranzullo gets ready to turn a double play. Aranzullo and the Utes will hope to continue their quest for a WAC title despite the loss of slugger Lance Madsen to the Houston Astros. Even though the pitching was adaquate last year, Utah suffered some key losses at the hands of its defense. Last year the team sported a fielding percentage of .934 but committed 99 errors. Sofield said that if the Utes are to improve, they must begin with the fundamentals. "We've got to go out there every day and play good, solid, fundamental baseball. We need to be flawless on defense if we plan on winning." Fundamentals, pitching and speed may just help the Ute baseball team to beat the odds. Oh, and motivation, too. Jo Evans returns home to take control of Lady Ute Softball season. Among these new sights will be a new head coach, as Norma Ford By Steven R. Carr, the Chronicle Sports Writer long-tim- e Lady Ute coach, stepped down last year. Carr will now be making way for the entry of one of her own former players. The dream will be the same: a High This year's Lady Ute Softball team could be walking into their field of dreams. The Utah sluggers, which carried a 7 record last year, will be showing some new things this Country Athletic Conference title and post season action. Jo Evans will be taking over the 28-2- "FRIENDS AND FAMILIES FOR CHOICE" Defend the right to "safe and legal" abortion Sunday, September 17th "Friends and Families for Choice" Festival Live bands, speakers, FUN! LIBERTY PARK 1:00 p.m. -- 4: 00 p.m. Monday, September 18th Phone-Your-Legisla- Day tor Now is the time to call your legislators. Let them know that and that you vote. you support pro-choi- ce Tuesday, September 19th at the Capitol Rotunda. Circle this on your calender! join with is to demonstrate your support for this vital Pro-Choi- ce Rally reigns of the head coaching job this season. Evans was a player for Norma Carr's Lady Utes from 1979 to 1982, and later an assistant for the team. One of the top Lady Ute players of all time, Evans garnered JH many individual honors including her selection to the All Conference and Amateur Softball Association All American team in 1980. "I already have a loyalty to Utah athletics. I don't have to get myself ready to wear red and white," Coach Evans said. Evans also holds several of Utah's individual records including most runs scored in a game (4), most tripples in a season (7), most tripples in a career (13), and most bases on balls in a career (57). Evans believes this experience and notoriety will serve to form an early base upon which to build her relationship with the team. "Some of the players already know me a little. Others probably have seen me or know of me. We start off pretty much on common ground," she said. Evans' past experience in Colorado State Rams. Evans is very enthusiastic about the team's prospects this season. "We're going to be excited to play this year," said Evans. ' "We have some excellent returnees, and we 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 20th ce Films and panel discussion University of Utah, OSH Auditorium $ ' "m i ce Thursday, September 21st Eleanor Smeal Utah Law and Justice Center 645 South 2nd East 7:30 p.m., $5.00 donation Talk by '0 . p. Friday, September 22nd ACLU . Call 5 pm-7p- 521-92- m, 89 Signer Day Dinner $15.00 donation for more Information Saturday, September 23rd Reception with NOW National Board Doubletree Hotel 7:00, $20.00 donation . Senior shortstop Wendy Warhurst will be counted on to be a leader for the Lady Utes. Last season the team finished fourth in the HCAC under the direction of Norma Carr. This year, the Utes will be coached by former player Jo Evans. Coach Evans doesn't pull punches should do well." Returning for the Lady Utes this season will be senior when assessing her team, though. short stop Wendy Warhurs, who will The team's strengths will be hitting, be joined by senior second baseman base speed, a generally strong Karen Donaldson; senior right fielder offense. "Offensively, we Chriss Freeman; and senior center have good hitters and good speed. fielder Charmelle Green. All the In fact, everyone on the team has returnees are excellent players who good speed, which is definitely to racked up impressive stats last year our offensive advantage," Evans as well as. landing individual said. "We're also pretty strong up conference honors. Warhurst lead the middle fielding." But this the team last year in both batting doesn't mean that there is nothing that the team can work on. "We (.340) and RBI's (28) and was named Honorable Mention All- - HCAC. "don't have the depth in the infield "Wendy is a silent leader who gains that I think we should have," she said. "We may also be just a bit respect based on her talent," Coach Evans said: Donaldson and Freeman inexperienced, but we'll make the were both selected to the Honorable proper adjustments." Mention team as Jo Evans is eager to get at her first well. Charmelle Green, who was season as head coach, and she second on the team in batting (.312) thinks that this excitement will rub and RBI's (24), tied a school record off on to the rest of her team. "I with 24 stolen bases and was named bring a lot of enthusiasm to the the sole Ute rep on the program. Hopefully it will catch first team. "Charmelle is on," she said. The Utes look upon a just a great player, " said Evans. the coming season with a new The Utes have recruited some coach, and young, inexperienced national and local talent to buttress players alongside excellent the line-uMelissa Halkinrude, a returnees. This could be the pitcher from Oregon, will be joined confusing specter of uncertainty on the newcommer's list by lurking in the shadows of the Lady outfielder Kayla Sintz of Alta; Utes' field of dreams. Coach Evans catcher Laurel Simmons from Delta; doesn't mind. "My main objective and Suzie Burdis, an outfielder from is to motivate my team, to get the California. All are good players who best out of them that I possibly are expected to contribute. can." all-arou- coaching has also been within the High Country Athletic Conference. For the last four seasons, Evans has been coaching the competition, the right. 7:30 p.m. X I Charmelle Green Play Pigskin Picks at the Pie this year. |