St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 70

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH SPORTS MONDAY, JUNE 27, 1988 riming is Right For New Parkway West Coach "I played under coaches Jerry Lace and Dave Bliss. "I was pretty much of an offensive player at Rosary," Sodemann said. "But at Cornell I became more of a defensive player, and I certainly learned to appreciate defense. Dave Bliss had come to Cornell from Army, where he coached under Bobby Knight, and he stressed the do-or-die, man-to-man defense.

"Dave always stressed that you could always tell the character of a kid by the way he dove for the ball or if he took the charge. When I see that now, I look upon a kid as something special." At West, Sodemann hopes to incorporate numerous offenses and defenses, relying on his players' to make up for any of experience. He does sees one plus rnhis situation. "The kids are used to winning," So-, demann said. "That's good.

While I was at Parkway Central, we always heard about the 'West is best' attitude and I don't know if it was a case of jealousy among the other schools ed to each other. "I think it was important for me to take a group of kids and for us to learn about each other," Sodemann said. "There aren't going to be great changes, but there will be some differences, mainly in style. "Mike liked his teams to play a zone. I think it's important for the kids to learn how to play a man-toman defense.

The team chemistry will be a little different. We had it this past season, but there were times when things got desperate and we went to our star (Pedersen) and he rescued us. I don't think we'll have that luxury this season. "I'm looking forward to molding kids with very little varsity experience into a team. We'll have the advantage of bringing up some sophomores off an undefeated freshman team.

I think we'll sneak up on some people." Sodemann brings a wealth of experience to his position. He was an all-district player for Rosary High before continuing his career at Cornell University, where he take over what is considered to be one of the top coaching positions in the area high school ranks. "Sometimes you're just in the right place at the right time," Sodemann said. "I'm entering a pretty big situation and I know there are some pretty big shoes to fill. Not only was Mike a great coach but a great human being as well.

I learned some things from him that I know I'll be taking with me." Sodemann takes the controls of a program that has been one of the most successful in the area over the last three years but at a time when the cupboard could be bare. Gone to graduation are Evan Pe-dersen, Scott Gabbert and Bob De-largy, the top three players from a team that advanced to the Missouri Class 4A quarterfinals in March. But Sodemann said the biggest pressures won't come from the administration or the fans. "Probably my biggest concern is that I'll put too much pressure on myself and not enjoy coaching," he said. "The principal (Dave McMillan) un- Hard Hitters It TV j.

I'm entering a pretty big situation and I know there are some pretty big shoes to fill. Not only was Mike (Pratte) a great coach but a great human being as well, ff BILL SODEMANN, on taking over at Parkway West Although Parkway West basketball doesn't officially begin until fall drills, Sodemann got a head start this past week. The Longhorns went to an Indiana basketball camp, where Sodemann and his players got acclimat i v- ffHi 1 Cathie Burnes Beebe 01 the Post-Dispatch Staff A year ago, Bill Sodemanri had Just inished a year's sabbatical from teaching and coaching at Parkway Central and he was at loose ends. Sodemann had worked with Randy -Richardson on the Parkway Central basketball coaching staff for eight rjfeqrs. before starting work on a doctorate in sports administration at Southern Illinois Unlversity- It had not been the easiest year.

His wife, Linda, a guidance counselor Parkway West, was pregnant with itheir second child and Sodemann was Jtt during most of the pregnancy. the time he had returned from leave, Richardson had left and his position already had been filled. "There was a position available for me at Parkway West," Sodemann said. "After I got there Mike Pratte (Longhorns coach) asked me to be hisassistant." 11 "Late his past season, Pratte announced his retirement as coach. Sodemann applied and was hired to Watson Delays Going Pro Sy Earl Austin Jr.

Of the Post-Dispatch Staff Vashon's Andy Watson entered the past baseball season as one of the area's most heralded pitchers. Watson did not have the dominating season that he had as a junior, but his talent did not go unnoticed by college arid" professional scouts. Jrhe Detroit Tigers were impressed enough to draft Watson in the recent Watson amateur draft two weeks ago. "Their scouts have been to a few of games," Vashon coach Ronald ur Jewell sfaid. "They have been keeping- up with Andy's progress.

They Sent him a telegram telling him about fleing. drafted, but they encouraged him to go on to college first." 2 Tha Detroit scouts were present jga'iftftj a tryout session at Maryville College: Although Watson is a good 5ifilaer, he impressed people most fitjrftls pitching. "He was throwing consistently at 48S 'miles per hour," Newell said. 5J)me of the other scouts were also interested in him as a middle Uiiielder." JJn the meantime, Watson has signed to play at Crowder Junior Col-fte in Mo. Crowder is con-sfgjently; among the nation's top junior college programs.

3 think the year of college ball will te-terj? good for Andy," Newell said, 'febwder has the type of program can bring out the best in kids. He'll be able to play in a structured sf.item and be on an extensive weight flijgram. fThey play a lot of games, and he'll uajve a chance to prove himself. The Jppming year will tell a lot about how is future is as a Dlaver. That vear aji make a big difference." JSAs a senior, Watson was 4-3 with mip save and a 2.82 earned-run average.

His most impressive statistic was tj stJlReouts in 47 innings, good for jgrg average of 12.2 per seven-inning SJhe Wolverines finished 13-9 and wem the Public High League for the consecutive year. 2 Jn league play, Watson was unstoppable. He was 2-0 and did not give up art earned run. He gave up only two Ji and struck out 32 in 13 '3 innings, tson also held a powerful CBC llrieup'R) two hits in five innings in a ipjB A Jack of a consistent defense baWnd him prevented a better itforqT. He pitched well for us and I have nocomplaints with the year he had," IJeVell -said.

"Every time he went gave us an excellent ball game." LEADERS Baseball Metro METRO COLLEGIANS LEADERS None, School MeWeLMariti Inc. WilSrieR Laclede Gas Bai.ocleae Gas Inc. lawk in Sverdrup Inc. Pomie, Lqclede Gas ueller, KMOX Radio Brajlen, Maritz Inc. AHpsworth, CU.

Hopkins, E.E.C.U. NtOialski, CU. Hirtfill.KMOX Radio (jeach, E.E.CU. OuMer, Sverdrup Inc. OuiKi, Sverdrup Inc.

Orioiiosso, Maritz Inc. Oewitz. E.E.C.U. floflnet, E.E.C.U. flrawn, Sverdrut Inc.

Ohfcns, CU. fiarcn, KMOX Radio flpriet, Bu5Ch HpHrknrn hnsrn AB RBI Avg 39 15 22 18 .564 27 9 15 7 .556 29 5 16 15 .552 27 10 14 9 .519 38 12 19 8 .500 53 16 26 15 .491 56 12 25 11 .446 45 16 20 12 .444 27 7 12 9 .444 46 15 20 15 .435 47 19 20 12 .426 47 11 20 16 .426 58 25 24 25 .414 39 9 16 9 .410 27 9 11 2 .407 40 10 16 6 .400 49 21 19 25 .388 65 21 25 20 .385 48 2 18 9 .375 40 8 15 7 .375 57 17 21 14 .368 51 10 18 8 .353 34 6 12 4 .353 46 10 16 10 .348 i -ittmB M'. Home Runs Keep Maritz Laughing 4, derstands the situation that we may not be as strong as we were last season, considering the players we've lost. I'll be my own worst critic." Sodemann wants to give his players every chance to succeed. BASEBALL 'A, w' "A 1 EARNED RUN AVERAGE (Avg, Runs) -Mike Miller, Interco Inc, 0.38, Tim Kintz, KMOX Radio, 1.77, Tom Aubertin, E.E.C.U, 2 13, Brad Moore, Laclede Gas, 2.56, Donne Wall, Busch, 3.04, 11; Craig Mulcahv.

Busch, 3 50, Dave Sickenger, KMOX Radio, 3.53, Mark Thompson, KMOX Radio, 4.04, 10; Dan Walsh, Interco 4.66, 10; Rick Etling, KMOX Radio, 4.71, 11; Lee Johnson, Sverdrup Inc, 4.72, 18; Jim Parks, Brown Group, 4.77, 21; Brian Boehringer, Busch, 5.24, 12; Mike Hicks, Brown Group, 5.46, 19; Randv Marvel, Maritz Inc, 5 48, 14; Ed Cunningham, Busch, 5.70, 20; Steve Chumblev, Sverdrup 5.78, 19; Mike Melton, Laclede Gas, 6.20, 19; Ken Allman, 6.27, 22; Tony Mueller, KMOX Radio, 6.29, 13; Jeff Reed, E.E.C.U, 6.65, 15; John Mather, Maritz Inc, 7.00, 14; Dave Meers, Brown Group, 7.20, 16; Rich Miller, Brown Group, 7.35, 16; Jamie Plohr, Laclede Gas, 7.50, 15. i STRIKE OUT AVERAGE (Avg, SO's) Brlon Boehringer, Busch, 11 .36, 26; Donne Busch, 11.32, 41; Jim Perry, Interco 9 96, 25; Lee Johnson, Sverdrup Inc, 8.92, 34; Tom Aubertin, E.E.C.U, 8.51, 28; Craig Mulcahy, Busch, 8.50, 17; Ike Young, Sverdrup Inc, 7.58, 16; Tim Kintz, KMOX Radio, 7.54, 17; Jeff Reed, E.E.C.U, 709, 16; Steve Chumblev, Sverdrup 6 69, 22, Mike Hicks, Brown Group, 6 04, 21; Jim Parks, Brown Group, 5.68, 25; Ken Allman, 5.13, 18; Ed Cunningham, Busch, 4.84, 17. SAVES Mark Ohlms, ECU, Brad Moore, Laclede Gas, Donne Wall, Busch, Brian Boehringer, Busch, Dan Braden, Maritz Jeff Reed, ECU, John Rahoy, Maritz Mike Reid, Busch, Terry Martin, Busch, 1, Dole Banze, KMOX Radio, 1. I v1 i 1 t.JrT ri ,1 SOFTBALL Royals Set Goals Higher Bob Wesling was hoping for a. .500 season from his St.

Peters Royals girls softball team. He got it and a lot more. The Royals are the top 15-and-un-der team in St. Charles County. They have beaten every other club in the area at least twice and they sit in first place in their division of the St.

Charles County Athletic Association. "I really didn't expect us to be this good," said Wesling, whose team carried a 21-12 record into play Sunday, i The Royals also have held their own against the tougher St. Louis County teams, as is evidenced by their first-place finish in the Hazel-wood Khoury League Tournament earlier in June. The Royals compiled a 4-0 record in that tournament and racked up 52 runs against some of the best teams in the state. "All we were really shooting for was to win more than we lost," Wesl ing said.

"It has been some season." And it is far from over. St. Peterj ij in a position to make some noise at the World Series of Softball this weekend at the Johnny Mac Sports Complex in Valley Park. The tournament features some of the top teams' in the Midwest. The Royals also have an outside shot at winning the St.

Louis Metro Tournament next month; Wesling knew his girls would be competitive in the St. Charles County Athletic Association. But the Royals' success outside the county has been a big surprise. Earlier this month, Wesling and his players re-evaluated their When it became apparent the Royals would finish with a winning the team decided to shoot for back-to-back tournament championships as a secondary goal. That landmark js, also within reach.

The Royals were tn good position to win the O'Fallon Tournament over the weekend. They were the lone team left in the. winners' bracket after play Saturday, and-, a victory Sunday would give them their second successive tournament title. Wesling added several new players, to his squad this season. Many of them came from the now-defunct Queen Carpet Cobras of St.

Charles. Only five players from last year's Royals team are on this year's roster. The newcomers, along with the proved play of the returnees, have, made for an unbeatable combination. "I think we're pretty good offensively," Wesling said. "I like to build teams around speed and power, and that's what this one is." Outfielder Julie Armour and third-baseman Nikki Christ are the keys to the attack.

Armour leads the team in hitting with a .500 average. Christ, the leadoff batter, is tied for the team lead in runs batted in. She also has a. See ROYALS, Page 5S" AAA FIRSTTEAM FIRST BASE: Tom Pordo, Aauinas-Mercv; SECOND BASE: Dave Eigelberger, DuBourg; SHORTSTOP: John Volenti, Rosary; THIRD BASE: Craig Sucher, Kennedy; OUTFIELD: Eric Bowen, DuBourg; Carl Hente, Rosarvi, Mike Noel, Kennedy; PITCHERS: Don Klllian St. Mory's; Fred Weber, Kennedy; Tom Siebum, St.

Mary DESIGNATED St. Mary's. SECOND TEAM FIRST BASE: Brian Serati, St. Mary's; SECOND BASE: Nick Volenti, Rosary; SHORTSTOP: Scott Gurley, St. Marys; THIRD BASE: Paul Anderson, Aauinas-Mercv; OUTFIELD: Jeff Dickerson, St.

Mary's; Mike Barger, Wavne Bryan, St. Mary's; PITCHERS: Dan Curran, Rosary; Al Bernhardt, Aquinas-Mercy; CATCHER: Glen Taylor, Rosary; DESIGNAT ED HITTER: Tim Dix, Kennedy. CAHOKIA CONFERENCE FIRSTTEAM FIRST BASE: Kyle Krizon, Columbia; SECOND BASE: Jov Lambert, Columbia; Darin Carlvle; SHORTSTOP: Scott Mueth, FreettuVg," Tim Fulte, Waterloo; Scott Horner, Carlvle; -THIRD BASE: Darroll Phelps, Marissa; OUT- FIELD: Brett Crawford, Columbia; Jim Brie-decker, Waterloo; Aaron Groziak, Marissa; Denny Davis. Waterloo; PITCHER: Brett, Brede, Wesclin. Brad Clossen, Freeburg; Jeff Novak, Waterloo; T.J.

Mathews, Columbia; CATCHER: John Baxmeyer, Waterloo; NATED HITTER: Bryon Avers, Freeburg; Joe Bertram, Red Bud, 1 4'v Odell Mitchell Jr.Post-Dispatch goes. One guy does it and we get on a roll." But before one gets carried away, feeling the biceps of Maritz players, or checking their bats for cork, team members are quick to put a qualifier on their long-ball laurels. "A lot of it is the ballpark," Braden said. "It's not that difficult to hit one out at Brentwood Park. If you've got some guys who can drive the ball, they're going to hit some home runs at Brentwood." Maritz manager Ed Koestler adds: "The park has a lot to do with it.

It's kind of ridiculous." Maritz plays the majority of its games at Brentwood. The park dimensions peak with a modest 350 feet to dead center. The power alleys and respective lines shrink accordingly. One isn't likely to bunt one over the wall at Brentwood, but "You hold your breath every time the ball goes in the air," Braden said. Still, Maritz has played games at such spacious parks as Heine Meine and Florissant Valley and, overall, the team's offensive numbers are impressive.

At .353, the team batting average would make any individual proud. It is a lineup filled with sock. Outfielder Jeff Mentel (who attends See MARITZ, Page 5S Wetzel, DeSmet; Mike Koeller, SLUH; DESIGNATED HITTER: Tim KeJIy, CBC. SECOND TEAM INFIELD: Pat Donohue, CBC; Tom Sinak, CBC; Tim Debus, Chaminade; Tim Fortel, Viannev; OUTFIELD: Steve Missev, SLUH; Luke Waller, Viannev; Jay Castillo, Viannev; Mark Spencer, DeSmet; CATCHER: Ed Pinion, CBC; Dan Kertz, SLUH; PITCHERS: Mike McGarrv, Chaminade; Paul Hurst, CBC; Brian Barringhaus, Borgia Aaron Marauart, Borgia; DESIGNAI-E I TTE Mike McGarry, Chaminade ABC LEAGUE FIRST TEAM FIRST BASE: Todd Shylanskl, Lutheran South, Rob Merriman, Lutheran North; THIRD BASE: Hank Bollinger, Lutheran South, Mike Lurie, John Burroughs; SHORTSTOP: Scott Nier-mann, Lutheran North; CATCHER: Steve Williamson, John Burroughs; OUTFIELD: Steve Kress, Lutheran South and John Gray, Lutheran South; David Motes, Lutheran North; Brian Suffian, Country Day; PITCHERS: Chris Bauer, Lutheran South; Dan Eberle, Lutheran North. SECOND TEAM FIRST BASE: Eric Toner, Principia; SECOND BASE: Todd Deibel, Country Day, Steve Stock, Principia; SHORTSTOP: Corey Sandt, Lutheran South; THIRD BASE: Jamie Heidbreder, Priory; CATCHER: Jerry Niederstadt, Lutheran South; OUTFIELD: Chris Connell, Country Day; Rick Bostic, Lutheran North; Mike Car-lola and Eric Small, John Burroughs; PIT-CHERL Jeff Huskey and Eric Schoen, Lutheran South.

i Odell Mitchell Jr.Post-Dispatch TOP: Bill Diekman (11) of Maritz tags out Interco's Mark Mercer who tried to score from third on a bunt in a game last week. ABOVE: Maritz's Dan King has to jump to catch a ball from the catcher as Interco's Mark Mercer steals second. By Dan O'Neill Of the Post-Dispatch Staff There are two sounds that are prevalent at a Maritz baseball game. Both are an indication that all is well with the smilingest, sma-shingest team in the Metro Collegians Instructional League. One of the prominent sounds is laughter.

A breezy, good-time laughter that fills the summer air whenever two or more Maritz players are gathered. "We're awful loose," Maritz pitcher Dan Braden said. "Everybody on the team is having a blast." The other sound is also "blast" related. That sound would be the ominous clink of an aluminum bat meeting a baseball, the one that indicates the ball is going for a ride. In 15 games thus far this season, Maritz has a nondescript 8-7 record.

But if fun and entertainment count for anything, the team has been considerably more successful. In a recent doubleheader sweep of Sverdrup, Maritz hit 10 home runs while posting 14-4 and 14-1 victories. More recently, the Maritz launched four circuit shots in a 10-0 victory over Laclede Gas. Overall, the team has hit 22 homers. "We've got some hitters," said Braden, who played at St.

Louis University and Meramec Community College. "That's just the way it SUBURBAN SOUTH FIRST TEAM FIRST BASE: Jason Boehlow, Parkway North; SECOND BASE: Lee Lieberman, Parkway North; SHORTSTOP: Mark Kleffner, Eureka; THIRD BASE: Dave Harris, Parkway North; OUTFIELD: Craig Rausch, Parkway North; Jeff Chazen, Parkway North; Keith Adaway, Parkway South; CATCHER: Kevin Kline, Oak-ville; PITCHERS: Ken Hartman, Parkway South; Kurt Kline, Oakville; Greg Rhodes, Parkway North; DESIGNATED HITTER: Rodney Weary, University City. SECOND TEAM lt FIRST BASE: Jay Cunningham, Parkway South; SECOND BASE: Bruce Sharp, Eureka; SHORTSTOP: Rich Sturm, Oakville; THIRD BASE: Dan Consiglio, Webster Groves; OUTFIELD: Rich Campbell, University City; Mike Williams, Webster Groves; Pat Mullen, Parkway South; Lance Shurmon, Oakville; CATCHER: Andrea Hines, University City; PITCHERS: Matt Arrandale, Webster Groves; Tim Ashley, Parkway South; Lonce Shurman, Oakville; DESIGNATED HITTER: Scott Bless, Oakville. ALL-INDEPENDENT FIRST TEAM INFIELD: Bill Mueller, DeSmet; Scott Soputo, -CBC; Kevin McLaughlin, St. LouU U.

High; Aar-ron Marauart, Borgia; OUTFIELD: Barry Grant, CBC; Willie Lauber, Chaminade; Derek Alferman, Borgia; CATCHCR: John Knott, De-. iSmet; PITCHERS; Jim Folev, tonney; Dan Leach, E.E.C.U., Chris Roomson, Busch, Steve Chumblev, Sverdrup Pat Gerwitz, E.E.C.U., Phil Kumnick, Maritz Bo Tonella, Busch, Joe Kuster, Laclede Gas, Tim Saunders, Sverdrup Steve Siebert, Maritz Cornell Foggie, Laclede Gas, Tim Braden, Maritz Kevin Harrison, Brown Group, Scott Harris, Busch, Curt Weisner, Busch, 3. STOLEN BASES Douo Michalski, E.E.C.U., Tonv Mueller, KMOX Radio, Scott Kolker, KMOX Radio, Jeff Mentel, Maritz Cornell Foggie, Laclede Gas, Mike Newton, Interco Inc Tim Black stock, Busch, Mike Musgrave, Laclede Gas, Mickev Piper, KMOX Radio, John Richardson, KMOX Radio, Rob Person, Interco Steve Siebert, Maritz Tim Bunton, Brown Group, Morev Jones, Brown Group, Tom Steg-mann, Maritz 5, Dan Shy, Maritz 5. PITCHING (2 Decisions) Ken Allman, E.E.C.U., 1.000, 40; Dennis Westhoff, E.E.C.U, 1 000, 3-0; Brad Moore, Laclede Gas, 1000, 3-0; Lee Johnson, Sverdrup Inc, 1000, 2-0; Dan Walsh, Interco 1.000, 2-0; Thomas DeGoey, Maritz 1.000, 2-0; Dave Sickenger, KMOX Radio, 1.000, 2-0; Jelf Buscner, Laclede Gas, 1.000, 2-0; Ed Cunningham, Busch, .800, 4-1; Tom Aubertin, .800, 4-1; Mark Thompson, KMOX Radio, .750, 3-1; Mike Miller, Interco .750, 3-1; Tonv Mueller, KMOX Radio, .666, 2-1; Randy Marvel, Maritz Inc, .666, 2-1; Brian Boehringer, Busch, .666, 2-1; Craig Mulcahy, Busch, 666, 2-1; Jim Parks, Brown Group, .600, 3-2; Dave Warnecke, Laclede Gas, 500, 2-2. Donne Wall, Busch, 500, 2-2; Steve Leasck, Maritz .500, 1-1; John Ro-hov, Maritz .500, 1-1; Jamie Plohr, Laclede Gas, .500, 1-1, Dan Braden, Maritz .500, 1-1; Tim infz, KMOX JW, 11 BATTEL 14 Tom Leach, E.E.C.U., 25; C.U., 25, Chris Robinson, 20) Jeff Mite, C.U., 19; Jeff Mentel, (nc, 18; Joe Kuster, Laclede Gas, 18; Bo 'finTiSlla, Busch, 17; Rob Hiflhfill, KMOX Radio, JB, Ciave Barr, Laclede Gos, 15; Cornell Fogsie, JEactedei Gas, 15; Tim Hawkins, E.E.C.U 15; Maritz 15; Mark Ohlms, ifi.EX.U, 14; Kevin Harrison, Brown Group, 14; iw Klmberlin, Inferco 14, Steve iumblev, Sverdrup 14; Dave Sickenger, Radio, 13.

4fJME RUNS Jetf MenW, Maritz 7, Tom.