Friendly bounce
saves the Sox
MAHHEW BLOOD
Sports Editor
1 saw it coming, and 1 am sure
Boston Red Sox fans everywhere
iaiew it was coming. The Red
Sox had just tied the fifth game of
the ALCS. With two outs in the
New York Yankees’ half of the
ninth inning, Ruben Sierra drew
a walk. It was time. Boston fans
gave a collective sigh as if they
knew what was about to happen.
Tony Clark, a
year removed from
playing for the Red
Sox, stepped to the
I plate. Two outs in
the ninth with a man
on base in an elimination game
against the Yankees. Yep, the Sox
were doomed.
The pitch was made, and there
it was: a long shot down the right
field line. Clark, the Yankees
substitute’s substitute first base
man, was going to do it. It was
inevitable. The smash was going
to be a double, maybe a triple, and
the runner was definitely going
to score.
Then, something that never
happens happened. The Sox got a
break. The ball bounced once on
the warning track and ricocheted
off the top of the right centerfield
wall, caroming just barely into
the stands. Ground-rule double!
Sieira, by rule, would have to stay
at third. No run scored. The game
was still tied - amazing! The next
hatter would foul out, and the Sox
were out of the jam.
The monumental break saved
game and the series for the
Sox, and it eventually led the
way for David Ortiz to drive in
me game-winning run in the bot
tom of the 14th inning, sending
series back to New York. As
"istory would have it, the Red Sox
see SOX page 14
(Sports
October 28, 20041
Keeping traditioniUNCW hosts tournament
Expect fireworks this weekend at the Country Club of Landfall as several
of the top collegiate golf programs converge at Wilmington. The Landfall
Tradition is quickly becoming one of the top NCAA golf tournaments in
the nation. The Minnesota Golden Gophers won the event in 2003 while the
New Mexico Lobos took home the trophy for the women. Both teams are
back to defend their team titles this year In addition to playing host to some
of the country’s top teams, the Jack Nicklaus Course at Landfall will see its
fair share of individual talent, as well. UNC-Wilmington head coach Jason
Widener led his men’s team to a fourth place finish last season while Cindy
Ho’s women’s squad placed sixth overall in 2003.
Players To Watch:
Men’s Divison:
* Ryan Blaum (Jr-Duke), Blaum
led the country in par-3 scoring with
a 2.99 average.
* Bronson La’Cassie (Soph-
Minnesota), Big Ten’s top frosh;
made match play at US Western
Amateurs.
* Peter Richardson (Soph-
Purdue), Won Windon Memorial;
four top-lOs; 73.4 average.
* Nathan Smith (Jr-Duke),
Final-round stroke average is 71.3;
tied for first-place at Augusta State
tourney.
Women’s Division:
’* Kallin Downs (Sr-New
Mexico), Two-time honorable
mention All-American; Won Dick
McGuire tourney
* Jessica Shepley (Sr-Tennessee),
Honorable mention All-American;
Tied for fourth-place at SEC
Championships and placed fifth
overall at NCAAs.
* Annie Thurman (Sr-Oklahoma
State), Ranked 5th in country; Won
Big 12 Championship; US Curtis
Cup team member.
* Kristen White (Sr-Ohio State),
Ranked 9th in country; Three-time
All-American; 73.44 average; seven
top-lOs.
UNCW players to watch:
Men:
-Will Shambley (Fr), The young
ster is showing amazing poise on
the course and will be in the run
ning come Sunday.
-Brian Joyce (Sr), Tied for 8th
at Landfall last season and is fash
ioning a 73.33 scoring average this
year.
Women:
-Becky Berzonski (Sr), The
elder statesman should fare well
at Landfall; led team with a 76.72
stroke average and won individual
medalist honors at three straight
tournaments last spring.
-Amelie Farrah (Sr), Farrah was
a Big South All-Conference selec
tion last year; Leadership will be her
calling this weekend.
-Combiled by Jason Jutovsky
When: Oct. 29-31
Where: Country Club of
Landfall/Jack Nicklaus
Course
Format: 54 Holes,
Stroke Play
Par: 72
Yardage: 6,948 (Men’s);
6,034 (Women’s)
REPORTS FROM THE WIRE
Athletic Director reassigned
Tuesday, Peg Bradley-Doppes, who has been the Athletic Director at
UNC-W for the past five years, was reassigned to the Division of Public
Service and Continuing Studies. Bradley-Doppes was only the the school’s
third athletic director in its brief 54-year history.
“Effective at Noon today, 1 have reassigned Peg Bradley-Doppes to
the Division of Public Service and Continuing Studies to work with Vice
Chancellor Stephen Demski on outreach opportunities in youth sports,”
said Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo in a prepared statement. “1 believe the
University will be better served with this change in Athletic Department
leadership. This decision was reached after Peg and 1 continued to have
philosophical differences in communication and leadership styles.
Mike Capaccio was named as interim director of athletics. Capaccio,
who has spent the past two years serving as the executive director of the
Seahawk Club, will maintain that title and assume additional responsibili
ties as interim athletic director.
A national search for a permanent replacement will be announced in the
near future.
Basketball player suspended
UNC Wilmington junior forward Beckham Wyrick has been suspended
from the men’s basketball team for the first semester because of a violation
of team and university policies. Last week, Wyrick was caught m posses
sion of a reportedly stolen bicycle.
The Cincinnati, Ohio, native must still fulfill team requirements and
meet regularly with athletic department administrators, but will not trave
with the team. His status will be reviewed following the completion of final
examinations on Dec. 9. . t t s
Wyrick, a 6-6, 230-pound forward, averaged 3.2 points and 2.8
rebounds in 30 appearances for the Seahawks in 2003-04.
Fall Ball
Heather Curtis I THE SEAHAWK
Michael Marby steps up to the plate at the UNCW baseball team's
annual Blue-Teal World Series this weekend. At press time, the
series was tied 2-2. Check www.theseahawk.org for updates.