The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 21

CPj NASHVILLE SOUNDS Gain second fgfa win in a row jL I Page 2C PORT Baseball NBA Scoreboard 4C 5C 5C SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 1994 Shark circling waters around Mize Vr Larry Woody Masters leaders Larry Mize 68-71139 5 Dan Forsman 74-66140 4 Greg Norman 70-70140 4 Tom Lehman 70-70140 4 TV today: 30 p.m., Ch. 5. Notebook, 3C; scores, 5C. i. iLj isL, AP Norman appears to know he's poised for another serious run at the title which has eluded him all these years.

He sounds confident despite past disasters. "I have no feelings about being in the wrong place at the wrong time," he said. "I would like to be one or two shots in the lead, but I'm comfortable in my position and 111 take that to the first tee tomorrow." Then he added: "We must accept the fact that without rain we're putting on slick, ice-blue greens. But as long as the winds dont blow, we can handle it" Only 15 players are under par as rising temperatures are drying out the greens. Combined with some mind-boggling pin placements, this is becoming a very special test even for the Masters.

Tom Kite, one of five players two shots off the lead at 3-under 141, By JIMMY DAVY Senior Writer AUGUSTA, Ga. The winds stirring the Augusta National's giant pines yesterday sounded faintly like the music from the movie Jaws. Larry Mize held on to his one-shot lead in the 58th Masters Tournament for the second consecutive day, shooting a 1-under par 71 for halfway score of 139 5-under par. But The Shark, Australia's Greg Norman, is moving up, stirring the waters of anticipation for the weekend's final 36 holes. The pre-tournament favorite, with a history of slow starts here, turned in his second 2-under par 70, and moved to second place at 140 with Tom Lehman (70-70) and Dan Foreman (74-66), who had the lowest round of the day.

Mize is a major contributor to the said he liked it although "there is going to be a lot of disasters happen out there and no one is going to dodge them all." Kite was 6-under and tied for the lead, but had a double-bogey 6 on No. 10 and followed with one of the many disasters at No. 12 the dreaded par-3 in the Amen Corner. Kite shot par 72 yesterday, bogey-ing the last hole, to wind up in a tie at 141 with Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal and South African rookie Ernie Els. The two foreigners shot second-day 67s, 5-under par, to join Norman as the only non-Americans in the leading nine players.

It's a significant development with Europeans winning six of the last seven titles, including the last four. Defending champion Bernhard Langer (74-74148) was among the golfers sweating out the cut torment Norman has experienced in this tournament where his rotten luck includes losing in a 1987 playoff when Mize holed a 140-yard chip shot Mize is also aware that Norman, one of the world's most talented players, is hot after a 24-under par win at the TPC two weeks ago. And, he's particularly dangerous when he's quick out of the blocks. "It feels like a 10-foot alligator behind you," said Mize, who was joking. "I know he's back there," he said in a more serious vein.

FM1 DTfl Atlanta's Mercker dazzles Dodgers LOS ANGELES (AP) Kent Mercker, without a complete game in 11 previous major-league starts, threw the first no-hitter of the season as the Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-0 last night Fred McGriff, Terry Pendleton and David Justice hit their first homers of the season with the bases empty against loser Pedro Astacio. "I wasn't absolutely painting the strike zone in and out but I made some pitches when I had to. I was getting ahead with my fastball and throwing the changeup," Mercker said. Mercker had a hand in the Braves' last no-hitter, going six innings against San Diego on Sept 11, 1991, before Mark Wohlers and Alejandro Pena finished. This time, it was all Mercker.

"I kind of chuckled to myself: Here's a chance to put up or shut up and I put up tonight" he said. The last Brave to pitch a complete-game no-hitter was Phil Niekro against the Padres on Aug. 5, 1973. It was the first no-hitter against the Dodgers since Dennis Martinez had a perfect game for Montreal in Dodger Stadium in 1991. Mercker, a converted reliever in his sixth season, is the fifth starter in the Braves' celebrated $16 million rotation.

Mercker struck out a career-high 10 and walked four, and no longer is an afterthought behind Greg Maddux, Steve Avery, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. "I'm glad I'm getting the opportunity," he said. "I'm not trying to keep up with the other four but it's a lot better than being in the bullpen." The closest the Dodgers came to hit was the sixth inning, when Eric Karros lined to second baseman Mark Lemke near the bag. Center fielder Deion Sanders made a nice running catch of a liner by Jose Offerman in the fifth and Pendleton made plays at third on two hard-hit grounders in the second inning. "You can't throw a no-hitter without nine guys on the field," Mercker said.

Mercker completed the no-hitter by getting Butler and Mike Piazza on called third strikes and retiring Karros on a comebacker. The victory was the fifth in a row for the unbeaten Braves. Boxscore, 4C. Shoe prices sky high for youth The more you sniff the air, the worse college basketball coaches' shoe deals smell. "You failed to touch on an important point" said Murfreesboro Riv-erdale Coach David Collie the other day, referring to a column in which I took coaches to task for selling their players' soles to the highest bidder.

"That the coaches take these en-ornmous sums is bad enough, but did anyone ever stop to think where the money comes from? A lot it comes from high school and junior high kids. "College players get their shoes furnished free. High school and junior high kids don't "When Nike or some other company pays a coach a million dollars to plug its shoe, what they're doing is influencing kids to buy that particular brand. "A new pair of Nikes can cost as much as $125. How many high school or junior high kids can afford that? Especially inner-city kids whose parents may be struggling to get by." David's right $125 could represent half a month's groceries for some indigent families.

"When these kids see their sports heroes telling them that if they wear this brand they'll look better or play better, they're so impressionable that they feel like they've got to have it It's so unfair," Collie said. Collie said when he was coaching at East Robertson High, a small rural school in Robertson County, "I'd see kids saving up change in envelopes nickles and dimes to try to buy a pair of high-priced shoes." Collie wonders if coaches like Dean Smith, who reportedly received $500,000 to sign with Nike, ever give any thought to where that money comes from "A lot of it comes from the pockets of kids like the ones I'm talking about" said David. As Collie pointed out not all the youngsters are willing to save their pocket change. "If their parents can't afford the shoes, and if the kids cant get the money any other way, then they are tempted to resort to whatever means necessary," he said. "There have been cases of kids stealing the shoes right off the feet of other kids, or mugging someone for a certain brand of shoe or jacket "I wonder if the shoe companies realize or care about what kind of situation they're created.

Every coach who takes money from them has to share that responsibility. Their high-priced deals help drive up the shoe price." As if the shoe sham wasn't shameful enough, Collie noted something that makes it even worse: "Each year the shoe companies make some little change in the design of their shoe so that it's out of date the next year. That way, kids are urged to go out and buy a new pair each year, regardless of whether they've worn out or outgrown the old pair." The question looms: do coaches making hundreds of thousands of dollars a year really need to accept what one shoe executive termed a "kickback" in a recent 60 Minutes interview?" More importantly, do they know or care where the money's coming from? Larry Woody is a Tennessean sports writer and columnist. Masters leader Larry Mize tees off on the 6th hole. Jordan scoreless in debut HOOVER, Ala.

(GNS) Michael Jordan said he had nights like this in basketball. In one of the most anticipated debuts in baseball history, Jordan was hitless in three at-bats as he and his new team, the Birmingham Barons, lost to Chattanooga 10-3 in a Class AA game before a capacity crowd of 10,359 fans. Jordan, who played the entire game in right field and batted seventh, flew out in the third inning to short right field and struck out in the fourth and seventh innings. Jordan looked overmatched, but that was to be expected. The Southern League is one of the top minor leagues in the country and is stocked with veteran players.

"They told me some nights you have nights like this," Jordan said. "I hope I'm not judged by one game. I had nights like this in basketball, too." It wouldn't have been so bad if Jordan hadn't fanned twice against John Courtright a Duke graduate. Jordan, of course, played at rival North Carolina. "This gives the Duke alums something to gloat about," Courtright quipped.

In his first professional at-bat, Jordan worked the count to 3-2 before lofting a short fly to right The crowd roared, but it was an easy out In the fourth, Jordan struck out against the left-handed Courtright by chasing balls high in the strike zone. "I think I showed my eagerness to get a hit" he said. Courtright dispatched Jordan again in the seventh. After buzzing two fastballs by Jordan, he threw a curve in the dirt and Jordan chased it for strike three. The crowd, on Jordan's side all night booed the umpire for not ruling that Jordan had checked his swing.

Despite Jordan's rocky start, Barons' manager Terry Francona was upbeat "He had some good swings," he said. "He is improving very rapidly." Added Courtright "I think he can do all right There are plenty of guys who have played this game 15 years and gone O-for-3." Defensively, Jordan handled four fly balls in the outfield. He didn't look very sure of himself on the first chance, almost over-running a fly ball hit in front of him. Jordan stopped and did a short hop in the air to make the catch. Jordan was philosophical about his debut He recalled his first NBA game and said he didn't succeed in that one, either.

"I remember I almost broke my neck going in for a dunk because Jeff Ruland took my legs out" Jordan said. "I didn't succeed then, but as you know, I was able to bounce back'B 'J' AP Atlanta Braves' Kent Mercker, a converted relief pitcher, struck out a career-high 10 on the way to the season's first no-hitter. Davenport powers Xpress over Mudcats 7-0 By ANTHONY COLEMAN Sports Writer The Nashville Xpress got great pitching and two home runs by Adell Davenport last night to roll past the Carolina Mudcats 7-0 last night in a Southern League game before 1,269 fans at Greer Stadium. The Xpress opened the season Thursday by being thumped by the Mudcats 11-3. But last night starter Brad Radke and Davenport saw to it that the Xpress would get ahead early while helping the team earn its first win of the season.

It was the type of pitching performance the the Xpress had hoped for coming into the season. In all four Nashville Xpress pitchers would combine to limit the Mudcats to three hits. On Thursday, the Mudcats pounded out 14 hits against Nashville. Nashville got three infield singles in the first inning. Davenport would eventually crunch a mammoth homer to left field to stake the Xpress to a 4-0 lead.

"How 'bout that" said smiling Xpress Manager Phil Roof after the game. "Boom, right away were up. And our pitching tonight was just great" Radke pitched five innings and allowed only two hits while fanning five batters. "I thought my curveball was working well for me," said Radke. Catcher Pedro Grifol agreed.

"Brad's the type of pitcher that is in control out there," he explained. "These Carolina guys can hit man. But our pitchers did a great job." Dennis Sweeny, Scott Watkins and Rich Garces all pitched in relief. Each did a slen-did job. Davenport however, was the real offensive star for the Xpress.

Davenport would later spank a fastball over the left field wall for a two-run homer in the eighth inning. "That's why he's here," said Roof. "He's got good power and can really drive the ball." The Xpress will try to win the three-game series tonight at 7:30 at Greer. Nashville Right-hander Mike Misuraca gets the call. Hie Dtose Staff Carolina's William Suero and Xpress second baseman Ricky Ward wait the ump's safe call.

AROUND THE DIAL The Atlanta Braves' game at COLLEGE FOOTBALL Tennessee State piays its annaui RESULTS AMERICAN LEAGUE Cleveland 8. Kan.City 3 Boston 8, Chicago 6 New York 4, Detroit 0 Milwaukee 5, California 1 Toronto 8, Seattle 2 Texas 7, Baltimore 5 Oakland 10, Minn. 9 (10) SI NATIONAL LEAGUE Chicago 4, Montreal 0 Colorado 7, Pittsburgh 3 Cincy 5, Phitry 4 (10) Houston 6, New York 3 Atlanta 6, Los Angeles 0 San Diego 4, Florida 0 St Leu at S. Fraru, ppd. Los Angeles will be shown by TBS at 9 tonight.

At 12:30 p.m., WGN has the Chicago Cubs at Montreal. Auto racing: Goody's 250 Grand National race, 1 p.m., ESPN BOXING Mike TySOn may have hope in his second motion for post-conviction relief. The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that trial Judge Patricia Gifford must review claims that a woman Tyson was convicted of raping had earlier falsely accused a high school classmate of rape. "This is a terrific victory," said Alan Der-showitz, appeals lawyer for the former heavyweight champion. Tyson is serving a six-year sentence after beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington accused him of rape.

spring Biue-wnite Game today at 1:30 p.m. at Hale Stadium. Daryl Williams will quarterback the White team, while Robey Williams and Charles Young will split duties for the Blue. Admission is $2. A tailgate party opens the festivities at SECTION EDITORS Ted Power, Managing EditorSports, 259-8022.

Carol Stuart, Assistant Sports EditorPlanning, 259-8299. Senior Writer: Jimmy Davy, 259-8298; David Climer. 259-8020. To report newt: 259-8010. ChllCk BOWn captured the first pole of his Winston Cup career at Bristol International Speedway and will lead off tomorrow's Food City 500.

On 2C. NBA: San Antonio at Houston, 2:30 p.m., Channel Milwaukee at Chicago, 7:30 p.m., WGN. College baseball: VU at Auburn, 1 p.m., SportSouth. Listing, 5C. WILLIAMS 10 am..