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Show ,, . THUNDEABIRDOSOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITYOTHURSDAY FEBRUARY 13, 1992DPAGE 10 SOftballers open Saturday ~ SUU's Tara Tremblay will start one ranked UNLV. of the two games Saturday when SUU hosts eighth- No time will be wasted between the start of SUU's softball season and the TBirds seeing all-America candidates and a nationally ranked opponent. The Lady Thunderbirds are scheduled to host UNLV-ranked eighth in the Division I prescason poll-Saturday on the SUU field. Game time for the doubleheader is 2 p.m. Depending on the weather, the games may be moved to Mesquite, Nev., and if so they may possibly be played Friday. "We will be giving our new players an immediate look as one of the nation's best teams,'' said SUU Softball Coach Joy Peterson. "UNLV has been to the college world series for each of the past two seasons. Last year they had a 49-17-1 record." The Lady Rebela arc touting two pitchers, left-hander Lori Harrigan and right-hander Kim Smith, and Tricia Reimche as all-America candidates. Harrigan earned a 24-11 and Smith a 25-6 record. Last year the T-Birds were shut out twice, 1-0 and 6-0 by the Lady Rebels. UNLV currently leads the series 8-5. "We will probably be going into these games at a disadvantage," said Peterson. " We have had the benefit of only one 1 outdoor practice since last fall. It was pretty obvious at that practice last week that we have some kinks to work out. I'm sure UNLV has had considerable outside practice time." The Thunderbirds, 5-26 overall last season, should have improved pitching this season. Both regular starters, Tara Tremblay and Lorrie Muir return with experience under their belts. The outfielders back for SUU include Tina (Sperry) Squire in center and Joni Reynolds in right field. Melanie Harris, also a returner, is expected to enter the SUU nine in left field . In the infield, Audrey Richards is at short, but she won't join the team until after basketball season. Kim Olsen will have duty at shortstop also and Susan Barrett will be at third baae, while Kelley Anderson will have the duties behind the plate. "How quickly a number of our playcn adjust to the intensity and quality of softball at the NCAA Division I level is a major key to our season," said Peterson. "We have players with strong arms, we have good speed, and we have solid veteran pitchers. That gives us a pretty good start toward a good season." Lady 'Birds play Saturday Summer Games kick off Although the next two opponents for the Southern Utah University women's basketball team are considered "beatable," there are some factors working against the Thunderbirds. SUU will test Cal State Northridge Saturday in Northridge, Calif., and move over to Orange, Calif., for a Monday confrontation with Chapman University. ''Yes, we do have a pair of wins over Northridge; and yes, the only win Northridge has this season came just last week against Chapman; but if Libby Price we take either of these games lightly, we could easily get beat,' 'Larry Shurtliff, SUU women's basketball coach, says. None of the three teams bas a sparkling record. Southern Utah will take a 4-17 mark into Northridge. The lady Matadors have a 1-21 record after whipping Chapman, 77-65, last week. Chapman started this week with a 9-13 mark and games against Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo scheduled ahead of the Thunderbirds. Among the major factors working against SUU are the "revenge motive,'' and the uncertainty of the physical condition of Candice Lords, the T-Birds' leading scorer. "We beat Northridge twice (60-56 and 71-63) in come-from-behind games on our court,'' Shurtliff notes. "You can bet that they'll be plenty up for us. They think that we are a 'beatable team,' and they would love to pay us back for those carli~r losses. A first win-and they got theirs last week-also sparks a team; they'll be cager." Shurtliff is also well aware of the hazards of playing on the road, where wins are tougher to come by. Lords is still unsure whether or not she will be able to play on an injured right ankls, She has missed the last four sutrgames after injuring the ankle in the second victory over Northridge in Cedar City. BY JAY HINTON Thunderbird Sports Editor The Utah Summer Games Committee is expecting record participation in the 1992 Utah Summer Games June 19-27 in Cedar City. USG Executive Director Rich Wilson announced Tuesday at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake that in 1986, the first year of the Games, there were 750 participants while last year the USG attracted 10 times that amount-7,495. The USG Kick-Off luncheon featured keynote speaker Ed Eliason, an Olympian and former U.S.A . archer of the year. ''When I starteo shooting, I never had the opportunity to shoot in such a wonderful place like this (Cedar City) and to shoot in the Games in Cedar City has helped me too," said Eliason. " I'm sure I would have probably been a couch potato by now, or a coach or watching someone on T.V. other than real participating. This place will wake you up." Other featured guests were President of the National Congress of State Games Tom Osborne, Lt. Governor of the State of Utah Val Oveson, and SUU President Gerald R. Sherratt. Competition in the Central, Metro, North, and South regions will begin June 6 and run through June 13. 1• 'Bird Cagers split on road The suu·men's basketball team split games with Chicago State and NE Illinois on its road trip to the midwest Monday and Tuesday. Rod Dixon calmly nailed two free throws with no time on the clock to push the 'Birds past the Cougars 74- 73 Monday, but Tuesday, NE Illinois banded SUU a 95-85 loss in overtime. The loss to NE Illinois was especially hard because just two weeks ago the ' Birds kicked the Golden Eagles 100-73. SUU's Davor Marcelic hit two free throws with 1:08 left in regulation to put the 'Birds up 74-72. The Golden Eagles answered with two foul shots of their own to knot the ga.iu..: at 74. The T-Birds had the last shot for the win, but Dixon's jumper fell short. The Golden Eagles came out strong in OT and scored 11 points to SUU's three. From there on out NEI hit free throws to maintain the lead. Dana Achtzehn, who fouled out near the end or regulation, kept the 'Birds close in the second half by scoring 21 of his 27 game-high points. At CSU, Reggie Burcey fouled Dixon with no time on the clock, thus allowing for the game-winners. Achtzehn led the 'Birds with 23 points and Marcelic had 20 points. |