OCR Text |
Show D A I I V M t RAID cs LOCAL COLLEGE SPORTS Utah finally beats UVSC's Moore BYU Football "I'm coming into a good position with four good players with a lot of experience that can help me in the transition. For the most part, it's been a smooth ConfjmW from CI r Center Sete Aulai. a starter, has graduated and Sorenstm is ready to stop in to make a contribution "I'm coming into a good position with four good.players with a tot of experience that can help me in the transition." Sorensen said. "For the most part, it's been a smooth transition, I've started before. For me, it's just about earning the other guys' trust. know Sete was a good player, but think I can hold mv own. "Coach (MaYk) Weber has been very patient with me, helping out with that transtion. I learned a lot from Sete and I'm just trying to carry the two-yea- Neil K. Warner Utah finally figured out how Utah Valley State pitcher Marcus Moore was doing it. The illusionist. The sometimes sidewinding, dirty dealing senior pitcher who has more arm angles than an octopus, was exposed. For one night the gig was up. The Utes were on to him. After losing to Moore three times last year, Utah solved the mystery on Wednesday night in UVSC's home opener by handing Moore and the Wolverines a loss. After getting just one hit through the first three innings, Utah scored four runs in the 12-- 6 fifth to take the lead and added another run in the sixth to chase Moore from the game. By the time it was over. Utah had set a new season high in hits with 20 and had gone through five UVSC pitchers. Utah Valley enjoyed a brief 1 lead thanks to a three-spin the bottom of the first. UVSC tacked on another run h in the second when Jake singled and scored on a Scott Crowshaw single. It was looking good until the Wolverines reached the fifth inning. Moore was one out away from getting out of the inning with the lead, having allowed just one run, when Austin Jones doubled off the center-fiel- d wall, driving in 4-- Rick-enbac- two runs and giv ing the IScs a M lead. Cooper Blanc with an RBI single to the lead to 64 push Corey Shimada homered in the sixth to push the lead to 4 and chase Moore from the ally, with a wicked line drive that hit Krause and rolled off the mound. Krause picked up the ball but couldn't get Openshaw at first. It ah brought in Tyler Andersen to face Kevin d Arendse. Arendse singled to center to score two runs and trim but Utah came the lead to back with a run in the eighth off back doubles from Jesse Shriner and Dust in Hen-ni- s that finished off UVSC. Utah improved to on the year, while UVSCs losing streak continued. The Wolverines dropped their six straight on the season. and fell to 7-- game. Utah's relievers made the lead hold up, Former Orem High standout Andy Wilding pitched a scoreless fifth. Utah used four more relievers to hold off UVSC, but the Wolverines still struck for two runs in the seventh inning. A Ryan Jones walk and a Jace Brinkerhoff single brought Adam Openshaw to the plate. Openshaw then knocked Utah reliever Greg Krause from the game, liter 2 BYUUVSC ROUNDUP HERALD In a doubleheader against Southern Utah on Tuesday, the BYU women's softball team defeated the Thunder-bird- s in both games, 3 and in Cedar City With the two wins, the Couon the gars improved to season. It was a big day for BYU freshman Caschjen Davis, who had a double and a triple and a season-hig- h six RBI in the sec ond game alone. Kristin Dela- 9-- 19-- . 20-1- 2 Cougars Continued from Cl When the Cougars had the forced to field and (even shakier) pitch, was when problems arose, A game that lasted just 23 minutes shy of four hours came down to, Law said, momentum more specifically, the kind lost by BYU. OSU scored first, then promptly gave up seven runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Beavers followed with a run inthethird,and BYU scored two more. That's the name of Law's baseball give up runs, fine, but make sure to score right back. Or have his team score runs, and keep the opponent from countering. ball, 1-o- houssaye had a combined six RBI between the two games with a double in both games, during the day. going n-1 Continued from C2 can't enjoy a pizza with you right after being born. Yeah, I think that makes sense. Now, there is a part of this equation where "being ready" comes into play. Plaisted has to listen to whoever he trusts and has his best interests at heart, and hopefully not lose sight of future potential (earnings and playing time) for the short-terfix of a potentially nice contract. What helps is having That would althe low him a place to play, without having to rot on the bench. A m How can BYU earn a higher seed in next year's NCAA tournament? 2 to play on Sunday. Just kidding. I know that will never happen. Here's a couple of ways BYU can earn a higher seed: Lose fewer games (duh) and win the Mountain West Conference Tournament in Las Vegas. Next year's team should be good enough to win an NCAA tournament game, but DICKSON: Consent I BYU men's tennis: At Provo, after winning the doubles point, the BYU men's tennis " team was defeated by UC Irvine. With the loss, the Couin their first gars fell to home defeat of the season, "I'm extremely disap 4-- 3 12-- 7 pointed," said BYU head coach tied for 19th place at 77 in He shot a Brad Pearce. "We had a tough, Round 2, hitting one birdie on ranked opponent at home tothe fifth hole. day. We've got to have guys rise to the occasion for big UVSC softball: At Orem, behind matches like these." six home runs in two games, Utah State took two from the I BYU men's golf: Alpharetta, UVSC softball team, and Ga the BYU men's golf team in the Wolverines' first games remained strong after two foe. challenging rounds at the pres- against an UVSC fell to 9 with the tigious U.S. Collegiate Championship. The team currently sits two losses while USU imin 15th place at The same two proved to teams will play another douFreshman Esteban Calisto continues to lead the Cougars, bleheader on April 1 in Logan. inning stifled when one hit, which could've been a double I down the right field line, turned into a force-ou- t at second base when it was too close of a call for the base runner occupying first to get a head start against a diving outfielder. The Cougars cut the deficit in the eighth, on a to couple of RBI doubles from Brandon Relf and Sean getting a better seed couldn't hurt. a softball-basebagame going on simultaneously. When Miler Park is hopping on both sides, with kids of all ages enjoying themselves, that's a great time (especially with a BYU Creamery ice cream in hand.) A hopeless romantic, I'll also point out it's a great date-nigplace. Seeing the spectacular mountain view while watching baseball, then turning around for softball 12-1- 1 But a pop-u- p and strikeout against a new OSU pitcher sty- mied BYU. "We teach our guys the same thing (as OSU), we preach offensive execution," Law said. "Our guys are learning and getting better at it. But those guys are right now at a different level, a little better level than we are." OSU showed how much in the ninth, scoring five runs on good hitting (a pair of doubles and smglesnms a rare infield miscue. A possible double play turned into a ball that escaped Relf 's mitt at second base and squirted into the outfield. Steve Parker made a quick but accurate throw from third. MiSophomore chael Ward (0-- took the loss for BYU, as he allowed three runs in two innings. He came in after starter Jake Wortham, a junior lefty, was cruising until he tried to get the final out of the fourth inning. Next thing he or the Cougars knew, five runs scored and it was a game again. OSU right-hand- started to mirror the hitting display it showed in a 15-- 7 win Monday. "I think our guys can gain a lot of confidence. Even though we lost two games, we played relatively well," Law said. other options. So many, in fact, that a talented tight end, Vic So'oto, switched over to linebacker. That's another ll I FRANCHUK: Do whatever it takes to not be in the game. Seriously, what's the difference and a between being a 12? Those teams have to play each other in the first round, anyway. Seeding is always tough to figure, though. Did BYU deserve a higher seed this year? Probably. But look at the and seeing a terrific sunset. other No. 8s, like Mississippi State. Was BYU as good as that team? There are all sorts What's the most com of ways to interpret how teams petitive spot during BYU spring football? are slotted. At the end of the day, just win. Davidson, WestDICKSON: I'm going with it can be done. ern Kentucky defensive back, where the What's the best BYU top two units are as close as any position group out there. spring sport to watch? Bronco Mendenhall has been hesitant to rotate the defenI DICKSON: For scenery, sive backf ield the past couple you can't beat Miller Park on a nice spring afternoon. I had of years like he's rotated the writers fighting over who got linebackers and defensive n State to cover linemen, but look for more baseball this week and it's not bodies getting into the game this fall. because they were expecting close games. Track and field is I FRANCHUK: Anyone who a nice afternoon spent as well wants to catch passes from with multiple events to keep Max Hall is in for some comyou entertained. petition. Yeah, Austin Collie's a goodie. But look at all of the I FRANCHUK: What's fun is 8-- 9 8-- 1.1-- 2 Cougar hitting was unstoppable in the second using four consecutive RBI singles to spark a Lineup that has no shortage of confidence. BYU finished with 16 hits. It gave up, however, six more. More than a few of those were crucial and with two outs. Law noted the Cougars gave up eight runs to OSU when it had just one out remaining, and no one on base when the rally started. Five runs came in the fourth, and the killer three in the sixth. With a full count, the bases loaded and two out, Lon-ni- e Lechelt drilled a triple to center field. OSU led 10-- 9 after that, and never trailed again. The Beavers ) picked up a few nice breaks along the way. BYU ( had its seventh (11-7- 1 1 I I flag- I Neil Warner can be reached at nwarner9 heraldextra.com. Cougar softball wins pair against Southern Utah DAILY transition, I've started before. For me, it's just about earning the other guys' trust. know Sete was a good player, but I think can hold my own." talent- spot. -laden will Bryan Kehl o in next month s NFL '5s DICKSON: Bryan had excel- lent workouts at the combine in Indianapolis and at BYUs pro day. He said he's been told he could be a first day linebacker, which means being picked in the first two rounds. The last BYU defensive player to be taken on the first day? Defensive end Ryan Denney, who was chosen as the 61st pick in the 2002 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. 4 3 FRANCHUK: Kehl's going to be a high pick, my guess is a steal in the third round. He's talented, athletic and don't forget the intangibles n of being and charismatic. NFL teams, with all the league has gone through, want two things: Players are smart enough to get the schemes, and even smarter to know how to stay out of trouble. BYU-Orego- well-spoke- Tuesday was the first day of partial contact for BYU during spring drills and Sorensen said it was a good day. "It was sweet," he said. "It's always a different feeling with more adrenaline. You look forward to it as an offensive lineman, strapping it on. We really won't know how fast to play until scrimmage time when we'll be allowed to really hit each other and come off the ball." BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall previously has said there will be limited scrimmaging this spring because of the lack of numbers on the offensive line due to injury and a desire to keep the remaining group healthy. But he said the players needed some contact to keep sharp in execution. "Today was mainly for the front players on the offensive and defensive line to give them a chance to generate more momentum and force into each other," Mendenhall said. "It helps them work fundamentals with better pad level. Sometimes when we go no pads as much as we've been, the linemen's posture starts to raise up. The live work when we scrimmage on Friday will be for the same reason. It's just to see a few plays finish and have the offensive line finish as well." Sorensen, a f ormer Bright on High School standout, said he was excited about the potential of the offense. "I grew up in Utah watching BYLPs potent offenses in the early 90s," he said, "and then later I remember the of- fenses led by Coach (Brandon) Doman. I'm excited to be a part of something and hopefully we'll be remembered. But that will all work out." I One giant step ...: BYU has a number of junior college transfers and returned missionaries in spring football and the work load is demanding. Snow College transfer Andrew Rich, a safety, told Mendenhall on Monday it was like "drinking out of afire hose." "Ithink he pieant mentally as well as physically," Mendenhall said. Along with Rich are Snow teammates Tevita Hola, a defensive lineman, and Coleby Clawson, a linebacker. "All of them are transitioning," Mendenhall said. "With Tevita, the general physical work y demand, the ethic and the urgency, it's been day-to-da- overwhelming. He's certainly capable and we think he's going to be a good player, but he's still getting adjusted, as are Coleby and Andrew. "I'd say all three are dead even in transtion. All three are willing and they're all great young men with a good work ethic. It's the volume that's been difficult for them. They're trying as hard as they can to keep up." Mendenhall said returned missionaries are basically in the same position. Sophomore wide receiver Luke Ashworth suffered a back injury in practice and will be out two weeks. Fellow receiver Spencer Hafo-k- a and freshman quarterback Stephen Covey are coming Tom Sorensen On filling the BYU starting center position that was vacated by Sete Aulai, who graduated along slowly, according to Mendenhall. "Right now, they're just trying to hold on," Mendenhall said. "We try to see how they respond and it's a good demonstration of what they have inside. We don't expect them to be all ready physically, but we expect them to compete and keep trying." I Some exceptions: Some players new to the program have excelled right away, including true freshmen like receivers Austin Collie and McKay Jacobsen, nose tackle Eathyn Manumaleuna and returned missionaries like offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds and running back Fui Vakapuna. "They have to be in out- standing conditioning coming in, but maybe more important is that they have the ability to learn," M endenhall said. "They have to be able to keep up with the insertion. Once they get behindthe insertion, there's no chance to recover; Things keep moving further away from them. They get one or two coverage behind, one or two fronts behind, one or two plays behind. That makes them move slower and become more indecisive. "Most of the time it takes double the work for them. It takes more than normal classroom meetings, it takes staying after to watch more film, getting the coaches out of meetings to teach them more." I Eager to hit somebody: During Tuesday's practice the players were in shoulder pads and shorts and the Cougars held a few contact drills with specific instructions to keep their opponents on their feet. After wide receiver Michael Reed and running back Fui Vakapuna were knocked down on consecutive plays, Mendenhall had to call his defense together and that directive. BYU ran 34 plays during the portion, scoring once on a short touchdown pass from junior Max Hall to junior tight end Dennis Pitta. That concluded a nine-pla- y drive where Hall was Hall finished for 120 yards the drill and the scoring pass to Pitta. Junior receiver Austin Collie had four catches and senior receiver Reed added three. Defensively, junior corner-bac- k Brandon Howard made a nice play on a Hall pass, nearly coming up with an interception. Junior linebacker Vic So'oto came off the corner and would have had a sack on backup quarterback Brenden Gaskins if the play hadn't been whistled dead and senior nose tackle Mosese Foketi also registered a sack coming up the middle. I Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-255- 5 or at ddickson by heraldextra.com tit? J "Sm - Pheasant Meadow mu.iii -- in yapanMinjii uiuiini h n '('Htltitlum in it ? I mother-in-la-w Great A, www.BuildingDynamics.com DOUG i Four bed, 2 bath, brick home, beautiful yard. .27 ace lot, 2350 sq.ft. home with 806 South 1840 West Orem 801-598-15- -.f " n li DAVE , j ! 801-598-81- " apartment. 1 vs: |