The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 30

6C Saturday, May 12, 2001 THE TENNESSEAN vwvw.tennessean.com c2 SPORTS Oaldand squad ruled ineligible Carter scores 50 as Raptors roar By ANDY HUMBLES Stuff Writer Two-time defending Class AAA baseball champion Oakland was ruled ineligible yesterday after the TSSAA determined the Patriots broke pitching eligibility rules. The TSSAA prohibits a player from pitching in more than 10 innings "on consecutive days." Oakland's Blake Melton pitched during 11 innings Thursday in two games against Riverdale in the double-elimination District 7-AAA tournament. TSSAA's Gene Menees, who oversees baseball, said two different games is considered two days. "TTiat is how we've always interpreted of it," Menees said. "There is one exception stated that if I start a game and it goes into extra innings, I can go as long as it goes unless I pitched the day before or the first game of doublqheader." Said Oakland Coach Mack Hawks: "We interpreted the rule one way and it wasn't the right way.

Thursday was the only day he pitched. The rule itself is not clear cut "The TSSAA has their way of interpreting it and I have to go with their decision whether I agree or disagree. But I do think it needs to be clarified." Part of the Section II, Rule in the TSSAA handbook concerning baseball states: "No pitcher may pitch more than 10 innings on consecutive days. After one day's rest, a pitcher may again pitch as many as 10 innings on consecutive days. If a player pitched at all in any inning, the inning shall count as one full inning pitched.

If a player is pitching in a game that is tied at the end of regulation play, he may finish such a tie game regardless of the number of inn ings, provided he did not pitch the previous day or in the first game of a double-header on the same day." Riverdale needed to beat Oakland twice on Thursday to win the tournament. Melton pitched 5 23 innings in a 12-11 extra inning loss to force a second game. Hawks brought Melton in during the second game of the second inning with one out After Melton's first pitch of the sixth inning the 11th inning he pitched in for the day there was a delay of nearly an hour with umpires, talking to TSSAA officials. The game resumed with an understanding a ruling would be made yesterday. Melton was removed due to the length of the delay, and Oakland won 12-11, but lost due to forfeit on the TSSAA decisioa Because Warren County won the regular season only Riverdale advances to the region even though Oakland finished second in the tournament.

Two teams from each district advance. "Nobody likes to win or lose a game with a phone call," Menees said. "Mack handled it as professionally as anyone I've scea" Still, the Los Angeles Lakers were smiling. Bryant scored 26 of his 36 points in the second half, and O'Neal had 21 points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings for their 14th straight victory and a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals. The Lakers will go for a sweep in Game 4 tomorrow, which would likely set up a meeting with Midwest Division champ San Antonio in the conference finals.

Conference semifinals All series best-of-seven games, 'if necessary EASTERN CONFERENCE Milwaukee vs. Charlotte MAvautee leads series 2-1. Game 1: Milwaukee 104, Char. 92 Game 2 Milwaukee 91 Char. 90 Game 3: Char.

102, Milwaukee 92 Tomorrow: at Charlotte, 1 1 :30 am. Tuesday: at Milwaukee, TBA May 20: at Milwaukee, TBA Philadelphia vs. Toronto Toronto leads series 2-1. Game 1: Toronto 96, Phila 93 Game 2: Phila 97, Toronto 92 Game Toronto 102, Phila 78 Tomorrow: at Toronto, 2 p.m. May 16: at Philadelphia, TBA May 18: at Toronto, 7 p.m.

May 20: at Philadelphia, TBA WESTERN CONFERENCE LA Lakers vs. Sacramento LA Lakers lead series 30. Game 1: Lakers 108, Sac. 105 Game 2. Lakers 96, Sac.

90 Game 3: Lakers 103, Sac. 81 Tomorrow: at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday: at LA, TBA May 17: at Sacramento, TBA May 19c at LA, TBA San Antonio vs. Dallas San Antonb leads series 3-0. Game 1: Mono 94, Dallas 78 Game 2: S.

Antonb 100, Dallas 86 Game 3: S. Antonio 104, Dallas 90 Today: at Dallas, 2:30 p.m. Monday: at San Antonio, 7 p.m. May 16: at Dallas, TBA May 19: at San Antonio, TBA Associated Press TORONTO As each successive 3-pointer hit nothing but the bottom of the net, it was becoming abundantly clear that Vince Carter was having a special night. So special, in fact, that it earned him a place in the playoff record book.

Carter put on a performance that rivaled what Allen Iverson did in the previous game, making his first eight 3-pointers and finishing with 50 points last night as Toronto beat Philadelphia 102-78 for a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal To sum it up in one word: Vin-credible. "If he's that type of player that can turn it off and on like that, I'm scared to see what he'll do the next game," said Iverson, who could only watch in amazement like everyone else as Carter put on a show. With everyone wondering what Iverson would come up with after his scintillating 54-point outburst in Game 2, they should have been more concerned with how Carter would respond. The third-year forward had what was by far the best playoff game of his career as he became the 16th NBA player to reach 50 in a postseason game. Lakers 103, Kings 81 SACRAMENTO, Cali Shaquille O'Neal was far from super, and Kobe Bryant was streaky.

Bates, ERA boys win at Buster Relays Tennessean Staff Reports Raptors 102, Sixers 78 PHILADELPHIA (78) Lynch 2-S 2-2 6, Hi 3-5 2-2 8. Mutombo 1-34-4 6. Iverson 7-22 8-15 23. Snow 5-13 0-0 10, McKie 5-13 5-8 17, Jones 0-3 CM) 0. MacCotlocri 1-2 2- 2 4, Buford 0-3 0-0 0, Olie 2-5 4.

Totals 26-74 23-33 78. TORONTO (102) Carter 19-29 3-3 50, Oakley 2-5 4, Davis 9-16 2-2 20, A. Williams 2-11 0-0 4, Chads 5-9 4-4 16.Oirry1-7M2,Clark0-00-00,J.Wilams1-1 1-3 3, Montross0-1 0-0 1-2 0-01 Totals 40-81 10-12102. Phtadelpnia 23 18 20 17 78 Toronto 23 35 17 27 102 3- PoM Goals-Philadelphia 3-9 iMcKie 2-3, Iverson 1-4, Jones 0-1 Buford 0-1), Toronto 12-22 (Carter 9-13. ChUds 2- 3, Peterson 1-2, Curry 0-4).

Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Pntedelplia 51 (Mutombo 9), Toronto 50 pavis 14). Assrsts-Phiaderphia 18 (Iverson 8), Toronto 29 (Childs 10). Total fouls-Philadelphia 20, Toronto 22. Technicals-Davis.

Lakers 103, Kings 81 LA LAKERS (103) Fox 4-11 2-2 11, Grant 3-6 2-2 8. O'Neal 8-13 5-14 21, Bryant 10-22 16-19 36, Fisher 5-10 00 12, Shaw 1-4 2-2 4, Horry 2-7 0-0 5, Lue 1-1 0-0 3. MadsenM OO0, George 1-1 1-2 3. Totals 35-75 28-41 103. SACRAMENTO (81) Stoiakovic 4-13 64 14, Webber 13-27 2-4 28, Drvac 5-11 2-4 12.

Christie 3-12 4-5 10, Williams 1-6 OO 2, B.Jacfcson 1 -6 OO 2, Turkoglu 3-9 2-2 9. Pollard 1-2 02. Barry 1-3 0-0 2, Martin 0-1 Fun-derburkeO-1 0-00, Totals 32-91 16-21 81. LA Lakers 29 17 19 38 103 Sacramento 19 18 17 27 81 3- Point Goars-LA Lakers 5-13 (Fisher 2-3, Lue 1 -1 Horry 1-4, Fox 1-4, Bryant 0-1), Sacramento 1-14 (Turkoglu 1-4, Christie 0-1, B.Jackson 0-1, Barry 0-2. Williams 0-2, Stoiakovic 0-4) Faded cut-Christie.

Retoounds-LA Lakers 60 (O'Neal 18). Sacramento 57 (Webber 14). Assists-LA Lakers 16 (Shaw 6). Sacramento 15 (Christie 5). Total foukKA Lakers 23.

Sacramento 27. Technicals-Horry, O'Neal, Christie 2. Flagrant touto-Hony. Eiected-Chnstie. man David Kruithof went the distance for Hunters Lane, which hosts Brentwood Monday at 4 p.m.

Goodpasture broke open for 10 first-inning runs as Miles Calvert, Ryan Pace and Will Traylor all had two-RBI hits and the Cougars went on to a 15-1 win over Franklin Road Academy in the District 9-A final. SoftbaJfc Ezell-I larding and Goodpasture were scoreless in the fifth inning when the rains came and ended the District 9-A final. It was agreed Ezell-I larding would host a region game Monday as the top seed, reverting back to the winner's bracket final, which Ezell won 9-0, and the Eagles' regular season district title. Junior Mildred Rachel of East Literature smoked the field in both the girls 100-meter dash (12.99) and the 100 high hurdles (1527) and added the triple jump (35-1012), scoring all 34 of her school's points. Stephanie Harvey clinched David Lipscomb's girls victory by winning the 200 easily in 26.18.

The Mustangs rang up 135 points to finish ahead of BGA's lto'i Region field events will be held Monday and Tuesday at Lipscomb. Baseball: Hunters Lane won its second straight last-inning comeback against Antioch 6-5, scoring two runs on the bottom of the seventh for the District 12-AAA title. With Hunters Lane trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh, Chris Fondren drove in the tying run with a double. After an intentional walk to load the bases, Kevin Holt singled in the winning run through the infield for Hunters Lane. Fresh- Rob Bates racked up four first places, including a meet record in his specialty, the 110 high hurdles, leading Franklin Road Academy to a runaway boys victory in the 16th annual Buster Relays at Tennessee Prep School.

"I've got a chance at winning the state decathlon, particularly if I do well in the 110 hurdles," said Bates, a senior, who scored 43 points himself as FRA rolled up 212 points, well ahead of second-place CPA with 136. "But I'd really like to win the 110 in the state meet," said Bates, whose 14.48 in his showcase event set a meet record Bates won the long jump (20-8) and triple jump (42-4) earlier in the week, then added two hurdle victories in the meet that features primarily AAA teams and is a prelude to the Region 3-AAA meet next week at David Lipscomb. Ditty, Rose lead Vandy's hopes at No. 3 doubles this seasoa "It's been a great experience," said Rose, from Toledo, Ohio. "It's been a GOLF 4 great group which L- hoc Kn fnr tr Va La YOUR GOLF EQUIPMENT PROFESSIONAL DITTY NCAA Women's Regionals When: Today, tomorrow Where: at Vanderbilt Currey Center.

Admission: Free. Matchups: Today 1 0 am: No. 46 Penn State (15-9, Buffy Baker coach) vs. No. 25 Florida International (22-2, Ronni Bernstein coach).

2 p.m.: Murray State (1 7-1 1 Connie Keasling coach) vs. No. 6 Vanderbilt (21-4, Geoff MacDonald coach). Finals: Tomorrow, noon. Winner earns trip to Final 1 6 team tournament in Stone Mountain, Ga.

May 17. Tourney note: All but Vanderbilt are making their first NCAA trips. The Commodores are making their seventh straight trip. By HAROLD HUGGINS Staff Writer It has been a fun ride for Van-derbilt seniors Julie Ditty and Lauren Rose, but now it's truly down to tennis business. The two are winding down their collegiate careers for the Commodores, who open play today in NCAA Women's Regionals on the Vanderbilt courts.

The Commodores (21-4) will play OVC champ Murray State at 2 p.m, following a 10 a.m. matchup between Penn State and Florida International. For Rose, a University of Georgia transfer, it has been a roller-coaster ride which saw her having to miss much of her junior season at Vanderbilt before contributing Rose suffered a stress fracture in her leg last spring but still managed a 12-1 singles record. This year, she and Jenny Miller have been a consistent winner at No. 3 doubles.

Ditty recently was invited to her third straight NCAA tournament where she will play singles and also doubles with Kate Bursoa The duo set a Vanderbilt record with 21 wins at No. 1 doubles. She is a two-time All-Americaa "We're just going to go out and have fun," said Ditty, Ashland, Ky, who added she would turn pro and play some statewide tournaments after NCAAs. "If we play up to our capabilities, I think we can go all the way. It's been a great ride so far, and I hope we can keep it going." around.

We all really get along." Rose went through graduation exercises yesterday morning at 9 am, then it was off with the robes and on with tennis shorts for practice. CUSTOM BUILT CLUBS REGRIPPING RESHAFTING REPAIRS ON-SITE SHOP PROFESSIONAL FITTINGS CLUB ANALYSIS INDOOR HITTING AREA SWING ANALYSIS LOFT LIE ADJUSTMENT ROSE "Pretty hectic day, but a lot of my friends are here, and it's exciting," she said. THE CHURCH STREET CENTER BRENTWOOD 377-3020 Padflc Cout Lmpm American Conference Central Oivisron Karl allows only 3 hits as Sounds down 'Birds Pel GB .600 Watch bur rates .485 .457 .429 21 14 16 17 16 19 15 20 19 15 19 17 17 17 16 18 Salt Lake (Angels) Col. Springs (Rockies) Iowa (Cubs) Omaha (Royals) East division New Orleans (Astros) Oklahoma (Rangers) Memphis (Cardrals) Nashville (Piates) Pacific Conference South Division Pet GB 59 SOUNDS 3, REDBIRDS 1 6 winners give parity to race in Late Model drive towards a .500 .471 NASHVILLE MEMPHIS ab so Redman cf Mashorecf 4 Wilson ss Hemdrelb Sacramento (Athletics) Fresno (Giants) 17 18 16 18 Hyzdurf hole Mckwak3b 21 Tucson (Diarrandbacks) 15 in one. hbi 0 1 0 1 4 0 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 21 Lasvteas(T)dgers) Hrmnsenlf Haadc Garcia ss Ortega rf Andrws lb Bevralf Lucca 3b McOnaWc Clapp2b Smithp Kamuthp Rdnquezp Pet GB .486 .471 .417 2V, .400 3 Pet GB .694 .606 3V4 .457 BV4 rhbi 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 tn Fguerce2b 3 Karlp 3 Barkett ph 1 Lasetep 0 Taylor 0 West Division Tacoma (Mariners) Calgary (Marlins) Edmonton (Twins) Portland (Padres) 25 11 20 13 16 19 16 20 MNqhtnpfl 1 Medinap 0 Totals 32 Tennessean Sens Senil es MEMPHIS Scott Karl allowed three hits and struck out five over seven innings yesterday as the Nashville Sounds beat Memphis 3-1.

Karl (1-1) allowed no earned runs, with the only Redbirds score the result of a throwing error by second baseman Luis Figueroa in the seventh inning. Nashville broke a 1-1 deadlock in the eighth with RBI singles by Chad Hermansen and Andy Barkett. Alex Hernandez had driven in the first Nashville run in the third with an RBI double. Billy Taylor picked up his second save with an inning of scoreless relief. Bud Smith (4-2) took the loss for Memphis.

Totals 37 312 3 AMOUNT I PAYMENT I TERM I RATI $30,000 $202.12 30yrs 7.125 $50,000 $336.86 30yrs 7.125 $75,000 $505.29 30yrs 7.125 $125,000 $842.15 I 30yrs 7.125 Nashville Memphis 001 000 020 3 000 000 100 1 0 1st 2nd Mortgages ONo Income Qualifying Slow Credit Plans Home Improvements Home Purchases E-Mackowak, Figueroa. DP-NashviHe 1. Memphis 1. LOB-Nasnvie 10, Memphis 6 2B-Her- nanoez. Mashore.

SH-Mackowak. 7 33 based cm fixed rate. Ip bb so Yesterday's Games Nashville 3, Memphis 1 Calgary 8, Edmonton 7 Fresno 6, Sacramento 5 Omaha 2, Iowa 1 Oklahoma New Orleans 5 Tacoma 8. Portland 0 San Lake 4, Colorado Springs 1 Las Vegas 10. Tucson 9 Todays Games Cjary at Portland Edmonton at Tacoma Fresno at Tucson Iowa at Salt Lake Las Vegas at Sacramento Memphis at Oklahoma Nashville at New Orleans Omaha at Colorado Springs RPEquiPrime UiIMortgage 7 1 1 7 Vi 1 Nashvle Karl 1-1 Loisete Taylora2 Colorado Smith 4-2 Karnuth Rodriguez Medina Report: Woodson violated NCAA rules 1 man It USA By LARRY WOODY Staff Writer Six different winners in the first six races and a tie for the lead in the championship point standings.

Things can't get much tighter in Nashville Speedway's premier Late Model division "It's good for the sport, and it just shows how close the competition is here," said JeffLetson who is deadlocked with Michael Green for the division lead going into tonight's 50-lapper. Letson and Green have 298 points, with Benny Harnett a close third with 280. Letson 32, makes a weekly Saturday commute from his home in Harvesti Ala. (near Huntsville), to race. "Ifs kind of the next level after Huntsville," Letson explained referring to Huntsville Speedway, where he won four track championships.

'Td like to turn racing into a full-time profession some day, and racing at Nashville is a step in that direction" Letson admitted there are drawbacks to being an out-of-state driver. 'Ifs harder to get sponsorships when you don't race locally," he said "I get a little help, but mostly my dad and I run the team out of our own pockets. With a limited budget going into the season I didn't know if I'd be able to run the full schedule or not But I can't quit as long as Tm in contention for the championship." Speedway director of operations Dave Kohler said the six different faces in the first six races is far from the Late Model division record of 1L set in 1984. 'It's still pretty impressive," Kohler said "It indicates just how balanced the racing is out here. And what's interesting is that there are five or six other drivers who could easily have won but haven't won yet I think the streak could continue." During a similar display of parity in Winston Cup, retired driver Darrell Waltrip said he felt the sport needed one established driver to give fans someone to identify with and give other drivers a target to aim for.

"I think we've got that, in Joe Buford" Kohler said "I think Joe, being a three-time champion is generally considered the driver all others are shooting for." A two-race suspension dealt Buford suffered a major setback in his bid for an unprecedented fourth championship. It appears unlikely that he will be able to pull off a miracle rally. In addition to the Late Model feature, races will be run in three other divisions. The storting time has been moved up to 630 to accommodate a performance by stunt driver Joey Chitwood Highland Rim Speedway will run a full schedule of races starting at 730 pm, along with a special Powder -Puff race exclusively for women drivers. ti Stunt Show Two big innings lift Vanderbilt pastVolunteers Tennessean Staff, Wire Reports Vanderbilt (24-29, 9-12 Southeastern Conference) used two big innings en route to a 12-8 baseball victory over Tennessee (39-14, 16-12) last night at I Iawkins Field.

The Commodores scored six runs in the third and five in the sixth. John Prothro was 3-for-4, scored twice and had an RBI and Ashley Freeeman, Adam Blue and David Wallace had three RBI each to lead Vandy. Chris Burke hit a single, double, triple and his 17th home run of the season to become the first player in Vol history to hit for the cycle. The game was delayed for 56 minutes because of rain JeffLittle (6-7) pitched seven innings to get the win. He gave up six runs, 12 hits, struck out five and walked Kroger SuperTru 25 mit's expense to South Carolina with a teammate in May 1997, records show.

That was three months before his junior year began at Michigan. The company was trying to recruit him as a client Seven months later less than two weeks before Woodson accepted the Heisman Trophy in New York City on Dec 13, 1997 he was fitted for a tuxedo from Granger Owings Custom Clothing the documents show. The ceremony occurred nearly three weeks before Woodson's last game, the 1998 Rose BowL Michigan won the game and was voted the Associated Press National Champion Jane Jankowski, an NCAA spokeswoman said the NCAA couldnt revoke his Heisman because the NCAA has no involvement with the award! i 66 ZZ Mods (B) 25 laps Knight Ridder Newspapers COLUMBIA, S.C. Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson and two other college football stars apparently violated NCAA rules by accepting cash, gifts and travel from a Columbia sports management firm According to documents obtained by The State, Woodson and former Auburn University Ail-American Victor Riley received benefits from Summit Management before their college eligibility expired. A third former collegian, Washington Redskins running back Stephen Davis, admitted in an interview that he took cash from Summit during his college career at Aulura Woodson, who beat out Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning for the 1997 Heisman, flew at Sum- tt Phillips 20 laps St rrTri n-ril.