The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 32

2-C THE TCNNESSUN, Sunday, April 29, 1979 On Replaced Teammate, Sounds Manager A in im press ion summer draft by the Reds after earning all-con-ference honors at the University of Scranton. 'V. 1 1 Assignment: Sounds During tne on-season, ne an assistant basket- ball coach at his high school alma mater in Dunmore, Pa. "They've really been nice to me at Dunmore," said Sohns. "They give me a leave of absence every year while I'm trying to make the club.

I really enjoy coaching the young kids and we had a great season (17-5) this past year. "But, I've still got baseball in my blood and I'm going to stick with it as long as they let me. Who knows? The Reds may need a good utility man one of these days." 'V Cm; X. Ui By TOM SQUIRES Nashville Sounds shortstop Rafael Santo Domingo sat in the press box with his leg in a cast watching Tommy Sohns make a couple of exceptionally fine fielding plays in the same inning. "Hey! I got to get dis ankle well pronto," said the 23-year-old Puerto Rican.

SANTO DOMINGO, a slick-fielding prize prospect of the Cincinnati Reds, might've thought his job was in jeopardy. Sohns has been a vacuum cleaner at short since Santo Domingo sprained his ankle in the fourth game of the season. But before the season began, the veteran Sohns thought he might not get a chance to display his skills until the middle of the year, if at all. "I didn't have a real good spring," said Sohns, pumping a dumbbell prior to a post-game shower. "I had an eye injury and missed a whole week.

I was worried about making the club. "Finally, I asked what my role would be this year and was told I would be a utility player again this season," he continued. "I didn't like it, but I had to accept it. I knew I'd have to wait for a chance and then try to prove I could play." SOHNS, A NATIVE of Pennsylvania now in his fourth season of pro ball, didn't ha ve to wait for an injury to get in the lineup. He moved in of Skeeter Barnes at third base in the third game of the season when the rookie infielder got off to a slow start at a new position in a new league.

"I feel at home at third base because I've played more at that position in my pro career," said Sohns, the first Sound to hit a home run at outfield. I don't mind where I play just so long as I play." Sounds manager George Scherger knew little or nothing about Sohns before taking over the club this spring, but has quickly become one of his biggest fans. "WHO SAID HE was a utility man?" shot back Scherger when asked about Sohns' preseason status. "The guy can play just about anywhere, but that doesn't mean he's utility. The guy 's a fine player.

"I knew he could run and was told he could field," Scherger continued. "But, I'm impressed with his bat, too. He gets good wood on the ball and is no automatic out against a lefthander. He's a done a job for me and will be tough to get out of the lineup." The 24-year-old Sohns was born in Scranton, and was selected in the 24th round of the 1976 Staff Photo by Frank Empton Tommy Sohns In Lineup To Stay season. "But, I still feel Greer Stadium last or second or even in the confident at short If- The Sounds' road games are being broadcast over a five-station network originating with WKDA-AM (1240) in Nashville.

The other stations are WIZO-FM (100) in Franklin, WTNQ-FM (102.3) in Dickson, WCOR-FM (107.3) in Lebanon, and WKOM-FM (101.7) in Columbia. Bob Jamison, formerly with the Class AAA Richmond Braves, handles the Sounds' play-byplay and is assisted by WCOR sports director Jay Colley on the road and by Ty Coppinger at home. tSt Sounds ft (From First Sports Page) Nashville got nine hits off three Orlando pitchers with starter Keith Isaacs suffering the loss. Duane Walker had two more hits for the Sounds, extending his current streak to 14 games. Gene Menees went 0-for-2 with a couple of sacrifices and ended his streak at 12.

The Sounds conclude their series with the Twins (5-9) today with a 2 p.m. single game. Lefty Bob Mayer (0-0) will pitch for Nashville which leaves on a four-day trip to Chattanooga tomorrow before returning home for another eight-game stand. Orioles' Purchase Seems Unlikely BALTIMORE (UPI) Mayor William Donald Schaefer said yesterday that he is not confident about a local group's chances of buying the Baltimore Orioles from Jerold C. Hoffberger and keeping the baseball team in the city.

"I am not at all optimistic," he said. Schaefer said the chances dimmed when the 1979 General Assembly rejected legislation to loan the city $2.5 million to help keep the team in Baltimore. F. Barton Harvey and W. Wallace Lanahan, two of the local investors trying to buv the team View' Wolf ri id Wateh i no War i -V ft hot seat.

Anytime there was a fuss or fight on the stock car circuit which was just about every week Darrell seemed to find himself standing squarely in the middle. The reason was simple: writers from Daytona to Dover, from Pocono to Charlotte, discovered that a quick call to Waltrip was always good for a story. Ask any question about any subject, no matter how touchy, and Darrell would answer it. By LARRY WOODY In the past, lots ot folks must have thought "Controversial" was Darrell Waltrip's first name. The stories, from all over the country, seemed to invariably read: "Controversial Darrell Wal-trip.

The 31-year-old Grand National star from Franklin had a knack for landing himself on the He'd speak his mind while the tape recorders whirred and pencils scribbled. Everything he said was, as they say, for the record. So far this season, however, things have been quiet. There haven't been any flareups and Darrell, when asked about it, admits he's making a conscious effort to stay out of trouble. It is, he says, the "new Darrell Waltrip." "A lot of times in the past I'd get involved in things I had no business being in," explained Darrell.

"People would call me up and ask me quetions about something and I'd try to answer them as honestly and truthfully as I could and the next day I'd read where 'Waltrip said this and Waltrip said that' like I was sticking my nose in it on my own." Now, says Waltrip, he's determined to stick to driving and leave the talking to somebody else. Stranded Baserunners Commodores' Downfall for $12 million, said there were no new develop- ments to warrant the mayor's pessimism. They said negotiations continue but progress is "slow." Hench flied out and Mike Pike walked to fill the bases with one out. Blumberg scored on a grounder to the Ditcher, which reliever Mike The closest he's come to getting involved in a A i Grant had difficulty fielding before throwing out iuss came eany in me season wnen aie xar- iiilP iQKtf (kill lit the hitter. Joe StamDS.

borough was involved in back-to-back wrecks which some of drivers felt was his fault. Waltrip was quoted by the wire services as saying: "Somebody ought to drag Cale out and whip his butt," following the second altercation. "Sometimes a quote is taken out of context," says Darrell. "Or sometimes what you said in a joking manner is printed as a serious statement. I've had both happen to me." But, he says again, all that's in the past.

From now on he's determined to concentrate on keeping his mouth closed and the throttle open. Right now Waltrip is the most successful driver on the Grand National circuit. He has two wins in nine races and has finished in the top five in eight times. With the potential tying and winning runs on third and freshman designated hitter Jimmy Jenkins flied out, ending the game. "Our real opportunities were missed early in the game, when time and again we had runners on base with experienced hitters at bat and and didn't score," said Vandy coach Roy Mewbourne.

"I thought Nuismer pitched all right. We should have won. But, Florida is a good team and there will be better days." The pitching win went to Gator starter Cary Kellogg, whose only loss this season was to Vandy at Gainesville. He not only lost that decision, but was hit by a vicious liner by Wells and had to be removed from the game. By JIMMY DAVY Vanderbilt stranded 12 men on base yesterday, including two in the ninth, and dropped a 5-4 Southeastern Conference decision to Florida at McGugin Field.

The Gators beat Vandy ace Jack Nuismer, who pitched his 10th consecutive nine-inning game, but had his winning streak snapped at nine. Nuismer, who was tagged for only eight hits, is now 9-3. The victory gave Florida the series edge 2-1 at after the Commodores had opened Yriday with a surprise win from sophomore righthander Mike McCarthy. Trailing 5-0 going into the seventh inning, Vandy rallied for four runs in the last three innings, a surge set in motion by a monsterous two-run homer by Commodore catcher Scotti Madison. The stocky junior slammed the ball high over the rightf ield fence his 12th of the season, good for a tie for the lead in the SEC.

Two walks and a single by freshman Greg Wells produced a Commodore run in the eighth, but the real drama unfolded in the bottom of the ninth, with the Commodores behind 5-3. Maury Blumberg and Madison walked. Bill Darrell Waltrip Changing Image Darrell is-also the point leader in the Winston Nuismer retired the last eight batters of the game in order, but earlier he had created trouble Cup national championship race, with an 86-point EfiU lead over Bobby Allison. He figures a finish anywhere in the top 20 in today's Winston 500 at Talledega will give him the first-leg championship and the $10,000 that goes with it, Waltrip is also the leading money-winner, with $154,870 and the season isn't a third of the way through. for himself with walks.

Three of the five Gator runs were by players who reached base either on walks or an error. The error, a missed grounder by Stamps, opening the seventh inning produced the eventual winning run. John Worley hit a roller to short, which was misplayed, and finally scored on a double bv Gator outfielder David Banes. "We ve got a good team," says Waltrip. "Our Nashvillians Advance The Commodores are now 18-23 for the season engine ouiiaers, me pit crew every Doay nas and still in the cellar of the SEC Eastern Division been doing just a super job.

And that's what it til vil i 1 inlrAn 4 sv svaa ILa nnilnHnl tlM iMniAHrliin HfhlAH Wlin a 613 reCOrQ. I1 lOriaa IS now H-11 ana lO-J, mws hi i uu ivi uic uauuum iunuiMuu9uii, nunu JUniOr OPrinq CVent having wrapped up the No. 1 spot in the SEC East is the goal we set for ourselves at the start of the COMPLETE BODY FENDER REPAIR season, THIS NUMBER 254-5661 For Davidson Co. Residents or our Toll Free (800)342-8237 For residents Out of Town to correct any delivery problem of the THETENNESSEAN Florida goes on to Tennessee for a three game Waltrip's taciturn approach to racing this year doesn't mean he's lost his sense of humor. He has always given his race cars female nickmanes (Wanda, Maybelline).

A couple weeks ago he bought a new car and proceeded to name it after entertainer Dolly Parton, "Because," he said, "it's what's up front that counts." That's OK, Darrell, nothing controversial there. Nobody'll disagree with that. series beginning Tuesday. Vandy hosts Austin Peay in a doubleheader tomorrow night and Lipscomb Tuesday night all three games at Hershel Greer Stadium, home of the Nashville Sounds Class AA professional team. Florida 000 202 100 5 8 0 Vanderbilt 000 000 211 -4 8 2 Kellogg, Grant (8) and Worley: Nuismer and Madison.

WP-Kellogg (61). LP-Nuismer (8 3). HR-Madison (V). STILL AMERICA'S BIGGEST BARGAIN HOURS: 7:30 AM TO 6 PM SAT. 9 AM-1 PM 81 1 GALLATIN 226-3700 CHATTANOOGA Four Nashville girls gained today's semifinal round of the Tennessee Junior Spring Tournament here by virtue of opening-day wins yesterday.

Diana Cherry reached the semis in the Girls 12s, while Tricia Frist 14s) Helen Berr 16s) and Georgeanne DeBlanc (also 16s) followed suit in this competition among young players from throughout the state. Yesterday's matches involving Nashvillians: GIRLS j-l'JrP1' Cherry Sarah Clark 64; Hs-Tricia Frisl def Kelly Rogers 6-4. 6-1 16s-Helen Berry Nashville) def Amy Wheeler (Nashville) 6-2. 5-7. 7-6; Georgeanne DeBlanc (Nashville) def.

Julia Downey 6-2 6-2; I2s-Amy Gillespie def. Helen Drowota (Nashville) 6-1. 74; Angie Sutherland def, Sarah Hargrove (Nashville) 6-1 6-2- 18s Karen Bacon del EdieCarell (Nashville) Mary Ann Kremmer tflet Kerry Stephens (Nashville) 64. 64 r. BOYS J4 "-Tommy Frist (Nashville) del.

Lee Burns 64. 6-3; Kennedy 1 Frferson def. Frist 6-3, 64. Fisk Edges Lane 9-8 In Baseball Finale a 10-2 record in the Southern Inter 1979 MERCURY MARQUIS 4 DOOR SEDAN Reggie Jackson struck out 14 batters yesterday and led Fisk to a 9-8 victory over visiting Lane College in the Bulldogs' season finale. Fisk finished the regular season with a 12-12 overall worksheet and collegiate Athletic Conference.

Lane, headed back to Jackson, with a 6-5 conference mark. Lane 010 106 0 8 7 1 Fisk 000 005 4 -852 Nored. Wear 16) and Knox. Jackson and Miller. WP Jsrkwn LP Wear Dormis Fastest In Doctors' Race STOCK NO.

01920 to a ii lid Lkf Dr. John Dormis of Clearwater, was awarded a trophy for being the fastest competitor in the fourth annual Physicians' Relay at Centennial Park yesterday. Dormis, 33, won the seventh and fastest heat of the day with a time of 10 minutes, 31 seconds over the two-mile course, The team trophy was won by the Power ittaring, powtr front disc brakes, deluie sound pockoge, rocker ponel and wheel-lip moldings, full wheel coven, cut pile carpeting, bodyside paint stripes, white tidewoll steel belted rodralt, conventional spore tire, front and rear bumper guards, air conditioning, tinted glass, V-8 engine. UPCOMING RACES May 15th HERMITAGE RUN May 19th UT10U1RUIF0R LIFE OAT Nohrill May 26th MEMPHIS IN MAY UmSNATIONAL FCSTIVU R'JR Far Information Contact i ixonn lonaa negionai Hospital of Heat Three Dr. Colin Muir.

Sparta. II 44; Heat Four Dr. Dan Drysdale, Blacksburg. Va 12:32: Heat Five -Dr. Lawrence Pritchard.

Brigh-am City. Utah. 11 Heat Six Dr. Phillip Mirrell. Hollywood.

11:23: Heat Seven Dr. John Dormis. Clearwater. Fla. 10 31.

Stipanovich Leads U.S. In Derby Classic Tilt LOUISVILLE (UPI) Steve Stipanovich of St. Louis scored 20 points and had H) rebounds last night to lead the U.S. All-Stars to a 117-106 victory over the Kentucky-Indiana All-Stars in tht annual Derby Basketball Classic. Kentucky-Indiana will try to break a five-game losing streak when the two teams meet this afternoon in Lexington.

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Two-hundred fifty doctors, representing 65 hospitals in 25 states, participated in the relay, sponsored by the Hospital Corporation Zx)l America. The winners of the competition's even divisions: Heat One Dr. William High. Houston. 13 38; vtVal Two Dr.

Frank Walker. Nashville: 13.14 lirii a fine Hint 383-1181 KCI04T ItU 331-6664 $2300 Franklin Rd. "Home of the Deal Writers" Open 9-9 383-8CS0.