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Show DAILY HERALD LOCAL COLLEGES Youngsters lead Cougar rally in last two innings Ute gymnasts get season-high over BYU AILY HERAL SALT LAKE CITY — BYU finished with one of the school's best-ever beam scores Friday at the Huntsman Cen- | ter, but the outcome of the meet was not in question as No. 2 Utah sizzled with a sea- | sonhigh perf formance. The second-ranked Utes had their best night ofthe year, scoring 197.500, while No. 23 BYUgot off toa rockystart Jason Franchuk BYU baseball coach Vance Lawdidn’t get to see his team growup from the best vantage point. Ejected in the top ofthe ninth for what he deemed'a Northern Coloradobatter unfairly leaning into an insidepitch, Law had to stay out of the Miller Field dugout to witnesshis team’s 3-2 extra-inning rally. Dane Nielsen's 10th-inning single saved BYU (9-13) on oe night against UNC (76). Nielsen was oneof a hand- ful of freshmen to get playing time as Law has opted to reward someplayers for what he has deemed superioreffort outside of games. A la Bronco Mendenhall, the school’s effort-loving football coach, Law has taken to someinexperi- enced guys who hungerfor a shot. Theypaid off against the Bears. “The freshmenplayed such a, big part in the win,” Law said. “I think it’s a big lift for them and for our team, to know they can do it.” Mielsen wasthe last hitter BYU hadavailable on the. beach. The final-inning rally was set up by fellow frosh Seth Johnson, whose single led off the march. Stetson Banks, another newbie, hadthe biggest play of the game. Using a hupich from assistant Ryan Roberts, who took over on-field duties for Law, Banks opted to hit-and-run instead of bunt whenthe coach figured a fastball was coming. Seth Johnson'ssteal attempt pulled the shortstop outof posi- tion, and Banks’base hit filled the hole perfectly. With runners on the corners,two batterslater it was over. To get to that point seemed last two inningsto earn his first but mysteriously shoddy hitting win this year (1-0), retired the Bearsin orderin the 10th. Thatset up the inning Law would like to believe will turn aroundhis team’sat-plate for- team all year (.227 team batting tunes. A team thatisn't nearly hopeless. The Cougars, a young average entering the game), couldn't even muster oneuntil the fifth inning against a pitcher (Seth Gilleland) who was 1-4. A leadofftriple in the sixth from Seth Johnson gave the Cougarsa chanceto spark a big inning.Instead,just one run scored after three consecutive outs,the first of which was a sacrifice fly. UNCled by onerun entering BYU'shalf of the ninth, but Brennan Garrcouldn't close it. The odds werein his favor. Opposingbatters werehitting just .118 against him. He hadn’t given up a homerun all year. So what happens? Third pitch, 175-poundredshirt freshman Chris Johnson smoked * the delivery overthe left-field fence, a tie gamein tow onhis first collegiate homer. “From whereI was,I didn’t see it,” Law said. “But coach Roberts said it was an unbeliev- able swing.” Josh Barrett, who pitched the as powerful as last year must rely on tactical hitting, Law said. It must makethelittle things happen to move runners and score runs.-Small ball,it’s called. The lectures cametofruition last night, when movie legend Robert Redford was at the sta- dium filming a commercial. Nielsen didn't quite play Redford’s role of “The Natural.” There was no homerun or exploding scoreboardat the end. Buthe ripped 1-2 pitchto left field that had Law knowing the game was over, as he heardhis team erupt. It was just the second time ejected. “I didn't swear,” Law said, “but I'm goingtostick up for my guys. Maybe this sparked them.” N.Colorado 000 010 10 0 — 254 By 000 oor oor 1 — 351 Gilelnd, Gar@) ana Ray, Crag, Andrews (8), Bart (9) adNan WP Bae LP. Gar.28-Brockman (NC) 38-Jotinson(BYU). HA Johnson Come summertime, then August practices, is whenthe actionwill heat up. Mendenhall, a lover of competition at every position, has said the four scholarship charges — Arizona State transfer Max Hall, returned missionaries Jacob Bower and Sam Doman andtop recruit James Lark — will get a chanceto be John Beck's primary understudy. Brandon Domansaid he’s been pleased with how the Becks have worked together, and also their willingness to always work,The starter hasn't let his status go to his head. After the first day of spring practice, John Beck showed up at Doman’soffice at 7 a.m., wanting to watch somefilm. Doman hadto denythe request, noting that there are NCAA rules about how often coachesand players can havecontact. “But likethe attitude,” Doman said, smiling. » Great early showing: The apple of Mendenhall’s eye so far at camp has been Fui Vakapuna,a sophomore running back recently returned from an LDS mission. Heplayed in 2003,rushing 30 times for 157 yards. His coach has been most pleased at his strength and stamina uponreturning to football, “His body hasn't changed a lot from whenhe left here,” Mendenhall said. Headded:“I've probably been more oe with him than any otherplayer ofit. “There's not much loyalty in the NFL.Still, there have been some good opportunities maybe I shouldn't have gotten because of loyalty, and someother things hap- Dayna Smart (9:875) finished thescoring for BYU. Kylee Draper tying her career-high onbarsat 9.875 for the Cougars, and Boon equaled falling 3-2 to the Utes. her season-best with a 9.8 on vault. Smart led BYU on the vault at 9.85. The Cougarshadto count falls on vault and bars, but scored a decent 48.675 on floor 200 coaches, from Alabama to California and everywhere inbetween, for a weekend coaching clinic. The group watched practice Friday, and was also going to be treated to various Cougar lecturers today about various partsof the game. The attendance has doubled from last and Nina Kim (. aking second andt! The NCAA Regional fields will be announced Monday, }BYU men’s tennis: The Cougars host a doubleheadertoday, tak- and Idaho State at 4 p.m.at the BYU indoortennis courts. D UVSC baseball: At Corvallis, Ore., the Wolverines weretied with No. 16 OregonState 5-5in the middleofthefifth inning | when the game was suspended duetorain. It is scheduled to be complet- ed today, beginningat2 p.m. MST.Thesecond gameof the year. D Jason Franchuk can be reachedat jfranchuk@heraldextra.com. much. Some of the other sports are son.I just took off my shirt and told them, ‘Here's your drug test.’ ” (Det- verines stumbled bit at 309 and dropped from 11th to 13th. “Weneed to show more con- complete game allowing only fivehits. “Weplayed a good gameall the way around,” said UVSC coach Todd Fairbourne. “Every sistency as a team,” said UVSC coach Tommy Johnson. “We can compete with these teams, but we haven't shown that we ofthegirls.” are, but wewill get there.” Other UVSC scores were * Jordan Rogersand Jeff Gibson The Wolverines jumped out With twoouts Rachel Hart- at 234, Dustin Robinson at 235 grove doubled and Boyerfol- and Andrew Smith at 243. Cal State Bakersfield won lowed with an RBIsingle. The score remained 1-0 for the team title at 857. UVSC until the third inning, whenthe Utes got twohits and scored three timesfor a 3-1 lead. UVSC scored in the fifth. » BYU men’s swimming: At Atlanta,junior sprinter Brett Allen competed in the 50-yard D BYUsoftball: At Eugene,Ore., freestyle Thursdayat the NCAADivision I Men's Swimming and Diving Nationals, earning All-American honors. Allen set an MWCrecord preliminary racefinishing,in 19.62, He earned second-team squandered opportunities to score andfell 2-1 to Oregon. All-American honorsbyfinishing 12th inthefinal. “Brett did a fantastic job and scheduledto play a twinbill BYUcoach Tim Powers. Jackie Roberts walked and Kaeleigh Forsyth then reached on an error. Forsyth scored on a two-out double from Jimenez. BYUout-hit the Ducks,but The Cougars(18-8) were Lam very proudof him,” said “LaVell (Edwards) waspretty good aboutit. Actually, most of the time wejust went anddidn'ttell. anybody aboutit. 1 went hunting a couple of times on Friday and got backjust in time for walkthrough:I probably skipped school a few more times thanI should have to go rabbit hunting.” » On Bronco Mendenhall and the BYU football program: “I met Broncolast off-season.I’m kind of on the outside looking in, but he’sgot it going in the right direction. He's trying to build character.It's not easy to recruit to » On his plans to get into coaching: “I’m gonnawait and see how feel. I've kind of prepared myself if last year was mylast in the NFL. I've got someopportunities to do somethings I haven't been able to do. Things with my family, actually being able to go behindin that aspect but they're tryee a hurry. That’s a jal substances ont guys who arefollowing tteatfair he li line. “I was random tested this off-sea- rounds on Thursday, the Wol- twohits. Heidi Boyer pitched a toa 1 leadin the first inning OnAtlanta Falcons superstar Michael Vick: “There's always room for improve.I felt like as the season went along, Mike did improve.It’s a hard balanceforhim, to find the right thing for him to do. Our coaches did a good job of putting in stuff he’s good at help him be successful.” “They've cleaned up football pretty Wolverine,finishingtied for llth witha Lover 217. After shooting 301 and 303, respectively, in the first two UVSC (6-18) out-hit the Utes (16-10) 6-5 and didn’t commit an error. Chris Jimenez led the Wolverine offense with teammates Nicolle dis (39.55) BYU,but wewerealways successful despite that. I think they’re getting backto the old way of doing things and they're eee the older players,and that’s good. D On thesteroids-in-sports issue: Title/Cal Poly Intercollegiate. Nic van Vuuren wasthe low stat was dead even. I am proud can be as consistentas they the all-aroundat 39.625, with pened, “It’s not so much the owners,it’s morethe general managerorthe head coach.” » Campers galore: BYU welcomed about finished 13th, shooting a 309 City, the Wolverines gave Utahallit could handle,leading throughthree innings before beforefinishing on beam. Utah's Ashley Postell won pened that maybe should have hap- » Onplaying in the NFL for 14 seasons:“I’m proudof that fact, because that doesn’t happentoa lot of guys. I was a ninth-rounddraft pick, so it’s been an uphill battleall the way through. I wish things had gonedifferently in one or two waysbut I think I've made the most of my opportunities. I don’t regret the places I've goneorthe thingsI’ve done.I fed pretty content with whatI’ve lone.” OSU cameback with a run in the bottom ofthe third to tie onthefinal day of the Cuesta I'm such an outdoor person. There's all this pubic land. Youjust drive to wherever you wanttofish or hunt. It was a great experience for me. I'm not going to worry abouta lot to cut the deficit to 4-3, Dan D UVSC men’s golf: At Arroyo Grande, Calif,, the Wolverines a goodtimethere. Utah was a fun place for meto go to school because the attitudethatI can't controlit so In the top of the fourth, Jen- it at 5-5. » Onhis favorite memories in the NFL: contracts and uncertainty. I've taken inning DUVSC softball: At Salt Lake “You can’t beat the times youplay in games. My first start (for the Philadelphia Eagles) was in Texas Stadium against the Cowboys.I grew ) Toughest part about playing in the NFL: “Dealing with all outsidestuff, back with four big two-out hits off of All-American Dal- start, Lisa Willis matched her season-high scoreof 9.825. Alethea Boon matched thatscore, and Kandis Kelly (9.85) and meris listed at 189 pounds). up a Cowboysfan so that was great. Mysecondstart against the Dolphins I threw for four touchdowns,I rememberthat.” on base. Oregon took a 1-0 lead when a batter was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the second But the Wolverines came put had an RBI singleafter an error got a baserunner aboard. BYU is at Oregon State today. » Onhis experiences at BYU: “I had ond-year coordinator Robert Anae. ’ Meanwhile, Jason Beckis joined at spring practices by three walk-ons, two of whom will be aroundin thefall (the other's headed on a mission). after two UVSC errors led to three unearned runs in the in- Bulow’s two-run single gave the Wolverinesthe lead. The Cougars had a seasonhigh 49.15 on the beam. After Kacie Capra scored 9.775 to get the Cougarsoff to a strong Detmer even All-America consideration if he can continue to meld with the offense of sec- BYU pitcher Daniella Urin- energy on beam and did very Continued from C1 Mountain West accolades, and maybe game, with the game-winner for Oregon coming on an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh. BYU left 10 runners Urincho pitch a complete nifer Whiteley picked up one of her twohits and scored on a Tracee Hoch RBI double. In the seventh, Lavena Cha- BYU Football Beckis considered a frontrunnerfor cho took the tough-luck loss. first game is completed. Oregon State jumped out to a 44) lead after two innings will begin 20 minutes after the Openshaw andEli Slesk both had RBI singles. Chris Benson followed with an RBI double Continuedfrom C1 campaign that finished with the school’s first bow] appearancein four years. two teams’ three-game series las Buckin the top of the third to take a 54 lead. Adam ing on MontanaStateat 10 a.m. in 6% years that Law was with the Ducks, but rain washed out the second game. beforefinishing strong for a 193.350 score. “We'rea better team than what weperformed tonight,” said BYU coach BradCattermole. “Wefinished with little well.” MATT SMITH /Daily Herald BYU's Marcos Villezcas forces out UNCbaserunner Zach Harris (22) at second base during Friday night's game. BYU/UVSC ROUNDUP througha huntingseason, spending time at my ranch in Texas. “If you gointo coaching,it’s fulltime. Yougoin and don’t look back. In coaching,there’s no hunting.I’ll take a couple of years to decide, Football is whatI’ve always doneand I can’t see myself not doing somethi in football. I like to coach kids, | like to talk football and strategies.It’s got t o be the right situation.” » Onhis four daughters, the oldest is 13years old: “My Heisman Trophy is in my house,in kind of a trophy room. But my kids have grownup with me in the NFL so it’s no big deal to them. I haveto bring them back to Utah every oncein a while to make them realize I’m worth something.” Even thoughhe says he’s ee to retire,he still holds out that needs his services, “Maybe they have a young quarftertack that needs'aguy like me Associated Pressfile photo winner Ty Detmer throws a pass during the Former BYU Heisman Ti morningpractice at the San Francisco 49ers training camp in Stockton, Calif, in 1998. to coach them throughthe tough parts,” said Detmer, who's 38. “I'm still holding up well. I'm healthy and still throwing the ball well. If I had he I feellike I could move the ) Daily Herald Sports Editor Darnell Dickson can be reached at 344-2555 orby e-mail at ddickson@heraldextra.com. Read his blog at blogs.heraldextra.com/ nell. |