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Show THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY MAY 2 , 1988 PAGE 13 Baseballers Lady 'Birds win district title await fate Everything came up roses for Southern Utah State women softballers this past week in Cedar City as they captured the NAIA District Seven Softball Tournament, winning three close games. In SUSC's opener Monday afternoon, the Lady 'Birds scored the only two runs they would need in the bottom of the fifth inning as they slipped past Mesa College Denise Sproul hammered the ball sharply to centerfield, which scored starting pitcher Donna Pay for the winning run. Tuesday's action was even more nail biting as the 'Birds took two more one run games, this time from Adams State. The Indians of ASC was defeated in the first game as SUSC squeaked by. Again Pay played a big part as she took a 3 lead going into the final inning and retired all three batters she faced. Carrie Stelter hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth, which allowed Staci Sargent to tag and score, which proved to be the w.nning run. Adams State then played an extra inning game with Mesa College coming up on top 1 which forced the second confrontation It was the same story with the Lady in the championship game as Pay tossed a five hitter for her second win of the day. "Donna did a good job limiting them," District Coach of the Year Joy Peterson said. "They saw her 14 innings worth but she just kept pitching well." 2-- 1. 4-- 3-- o U x Cindy Ropeldto goes for two after forcing out an Adams State runner in the 1 District 7 championship win Tuesday. 2-- COTTAM BY DAREN -- Depending on the fortunes of the University of Utah in the Western Athletic Conference chase, this week's Southern Utah State baseball games could be the last of the season. The Thunderbirds will challenge Brigham Young University Tuesday at Provo in a 1 pair of contests. Game time is set for Field. on Cougar p.m. will After the Provo tests, the return home for games May 7 against Sacramento State, a West Coast division II 6-- powerhouse. In Wednesday game against Grand Canyon, the 'Birds lost another one of many heartbreakers this season. With the game tied 6 going into the bottom of the ninth, SUSC put a man on second but couldn't bring him home, and lost the "It's a baseball game game in the 10th we should have had in the win column and we let it slip away," Coach Bill Groves said. "It's one of very many we've let slip away this season." The 'Birds are 1 now going into this week's action. The games with Utah may be cancelled if the Utes qualify for the conference playoffs. "We will be watching that situation," Groves said. "We don't want particularly to cheer against Utah, but we'd like to play those two doubleheaders." 6-- 8-- 6. 11-2- Barrus winds up for career closer here BY TIFFANIE FLORENCE Throwing curves and fastballs, lefthander Ron Barrus is winding up his college baseball career at SUSC. Barrus, who's currently the ace of the 'Bird mound staff, returned to SUSC last season after break from baseball. After taking a three-yea- r spending his freshman and sophomore years here, Barrus took a leave of absence, working one year and serving two years in the Baton Rouge, La., mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da- y Saints. d family of Coming from a very 13 children in Cody, Wyo., Barrus was introduced to every sport possible. He grew fond of the game of baseball at an early age. He has followed in the footsteps of two brothers, Dan, who played at Brigham Young University, and Chip, who played baseball at SUSC for two years. Barrus is one of the four starters for the The duty is shared by Biaine Reber, Kirk Jensen and a split between Jay Hinton and Ron Goforth. Last season Barrus compiled a 4-- 2 record and had the team's best earned run average at 3.99. "He is a finesse pitcher who hits spots well; his curve and changeup are both effective," said Head Coach Bill Groves. "His experience on the mound has made him a team leader." Baseball is truly a labor of love for Barrus. Where SUSC is only a Division II school there sports-oriente- Ron Barrus is looking at his last week as a 'Bird pitcher. isn't the necessary funding so the players are forced to use part of their own money to supplement costs. "I have spent around $250 this season on necessary equipment," said Barrus. "Even though have paid in my own money it has been worth it," Barrus said. "I have made many new and lasting experiences through playing ball at SUSC." I This season Barrus had proved his talent once again. He was the key as he tossed a in his fifth complete game in as many starts for the 'Birds against BYU last week. "Barrus is a tremendous young man," said Groves. "He has done a lot of work on his own and we are very proud of his individual improvement.'.' The 'Bird season has been a dismal one, though. "It's hard to win when we don't play as a whole," said Barrus. "We need to find the right person to play the right position and play together as a team." This season the have come up against one of the toughest schedules in SUSC history. "It has been good experience for us, " says Barrus. "The competition has made us better five-hitt- er players." "It's too bad that we haven't helped with as many wins that we should have," said Groves. "Barrus is a great pitcher and our record should show the success that he has exemplified on the mound. He is a credit to the team and an student-athlete.- " |