Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 31

SCOREBOARD 2 BASEBALL 8-9 OUTDOORS 12 TO SHARE TIPS, IDEAS: Contact: Mike Knobler, sports editor Jackson area: 961-7293 Toll free: 1-800-222-8015 Fax: 961-7224 E-mail: mknoblerjackson.gannett.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 1998 THE CLARION-LEDGER JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI A -4 r. i ti D) Contact Columnist Rick Cleveland at 96 1-7210 or rcleveland jackson. gannett.com Former USM star has impressed coaches, players with hard running style By Ed Duckworth Providence Journal-Bulletin SMITHFIELD, R.I. In the National Football League, third-string tailbacks are a lot like Broadway understudies. No matter how hard the substitutes may be willing to work to move up the depth chart, the guys ahead of them usually have to fall victim to illness or injury for the backups to get any serious playing time.

Rookie Harold Shaw has been mering the line of scrimmage," coach Pete Carroll said on Friday. "He's shown us a style I particularly like and I hope we see it come out on game day." Shaw's opportunity to replace the injured Edwards as backup to Sedrick Shaw will come tonight at Foxboro Stadium, where the Pats will be hosting Minnesota in their preseason home opener. "I've worked hard and I feel like I'm ready to play," said Shaw, a sixth-round draft pick out of Southern Mississippi. "I'm sorry Robert (Edwards) is hurting, but I'm happy for the chance to prove myself." For the most part, Shaw already has demonstrated his potential to many of the Pats' veterans. "He's the one I've noticed more than any of the others," said linebacker Todd Collins.

"Ever since he popped me good in our (July 26) scrimmage, I've been keeping an eye on him." Second-string quarterback Scott Zolak and starting guard Max Lane also are fans of Shaw. "Not much has been said or written about Harold, but he's been running hard from day one," said Zolak. The thing Fve been espe-cially impressed with is that he hasn't made many mental mistakes." Added Lane, "His attitude is See SHAW, 3D Packers down Saints, 20 Dolphins upend Redskins, 2D a hard-working but unheralded third-string tailback since the New England Patriots opened their training camp at Bryant College three weeks ago. Now, in part because first-round draft pick Robert Edwards has a pulled groin, the 228-pound Shaw apparently is going to be hearing his number called more often. "In the last few days of practice, he's reinforced his style of running up in there and ham The Associated Press Fae Photo I mm Chargers, now 19-0, in Final 4 Jackson scores 3-2 win over Mid Michigan to stay perfect By Mike Knobler Clarion-Ledger Sport Editor The Jackson Chargers built a perfect record this season on the offensive firepower of the top two scorers in the Premier Development Soccer League.

But it was defender Johnny Mulrooney and midfielder Dominic Schell who scored the goals Saturday night that pushed the Chargers into their league's Final Four next weekend at Kalamazoo, Mich. Mulrooney scored twice and Schell once as the Chargers beat Mid Michigan 3-2. The Chargers, 19-0, are likely to play host Kalamazoo in Friday's semifinals. Kalamazoo, 7-9, got a bye into the Final Four because it's the host team. "You've got to feel good when we win a game in the final six (of the playoffs) and none of our top three scorers scores a goal," coach Peter Fuller said.

Mulrooney blasted home a left-footed shot from the top of the penalty box in the sixth minute. Mid Michigan's Stephen Armstrong scored the first of his two goals a couple of minutes later. Though the score was even, the chances weren't. Finally, Mulrooney got the goal that put the Chargers ahead to stay. Nobody seemed to notice as he slashed forward from the left.

Nobody, that is, but his younger brother Richie. "He seems to hear my voice out among everybody else's out there," Johnny Mulrooney said. Richie Mulrooney sent a perfect pass onto his brother's foot Johnny Mulrooney pushed the ball into the net before keeper Reid Friedrichs had time to react Former USM running back Harold Shaw is making name for himself. Gens blow game open in 8th, 10-1 By Mike Christeneen Clsrlon-Ledgsr Staff Writer A tense game turned into a laugher in the eighth inning Saturday night, capping a feel-good homestand for the Jackson Generals. The Gens' 10-1 whipping of Shreveport before 1,284 at Smith-Wills Stadium was their fourth straight win and gave them a 7-3 mark for the homestand.

Seven games out of first in the Texas League East the Generals will play 15 of their last 20 games on the road, including the last five at first-place Tulsa. The Gens are 30-26 on the road for the year. Clinging to a 2-1 lead, and having stranded nine runners, the Generals busted loose for eight runs in the eighth, helped along by three Shreveport errors. Scott Makarewicz doubled in Chad Alexander with what looked like a huge insurance run early in the inning. Then the Gens scored six more runs before the Captains could record an out.

Lance Berkman hit his 20th homer during the uprising. Kent Wallace pitched the final two innings for his seventh save. Chris Hook, 3-2, overcame a shaky start to hang on for five innings and get the win. He allowed five hits and four walks, leaving with a 2-1 lead. Hook, making just his third start for the Gens, walked three and allowed a double he first inning but somehow ofit down just 1-0.

"That was scary, 't it?" Hook said. "I felt a too juiced. Maybe it was rtra cup of coffee. "All respect intended, bu. his (Shreveport) club isn't a real id one right now.

But it does ft 1 good to get a win against them." Hook, who has some big-league experience, started the season with Shreveport before asking for his release in early June. Shreveport is last in the TL East, 12 games under .500. The Generals answered the Caps' first- inning run in the bottom half on Chris Truby's two-out RBI single, then went up 2-1 in the third when Jamie Saylor singled, stole second and scored on Vic Sanchez's double. New Hope's once 'perfect' pitcher brims with grit I met Buddy Wyers two summers ago. He was a strapping 18-year-old with a big grin on his face and for good reason.

Life for young Wyers was a grand slam. His state champion New Hope baseball team had won 43 games, lost none. Wyers had been the team's star pitcher, shortstop and power hitter. We met at the state all-star games, where Wyers talked about what it takes to go undefeated in a sport where a single error, one poor pitching performance or just one bad bounce can mean defeat. He talked of hard work, long practices, teamwork and never giving up, no matter the situation.

He recalled what his coach (Stacy Hester) told the team after it won its first 10 games. "There's too man rocks on the field to win them all in baseball," Hester had said. Indeed, no other Mississippi team has achieved such a feat. I wondered aloud if Wyers could imagine decades in the future telling his kids and grandkids about that magical season. "No I can't," Wyers said, his eyes lighting up.

"But I can tell you this much. It's still going to be a really good feeling." Dream turns to nightmare That next day, Wyers would sign to play for national powerhouse Meridian Community College. His plan: play two years there, then realize a lifelong dream of playing Division I baseball. He seemed well on his way. Wyers pitched well for a Meridian team that won 50 games and lost only 8 in 1997.

But that spring, just as the season ended, Wyers noticed a loss of feeling in his right foot. "My right foot just went numb," he says. "I couldn't walk without lifting it up. Dropfoot, they call it." Imagine your foot being "asleep" all the time. That's how it felt.

Doctors, at first, were puzzled. They tested for all sorts. of potential problems: Lou Gehrig's Disease, among others. Finally, the diagnosis was vasculitis, an inflammation of blood vessels, usually triggered by rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or hepatitis. In rare cases, such as Wyers', the disease appears on its own.

Wyers' symptoms improved with medication, and he returned to Meridian last fall. That's when the foot went numb again and so did his pitching hand. Wyers' condition worsened progressively. Besides his foot and hand problems, he began to experience intense stomach pain. An operation in June provided only minimal and temporary relief.

In July, down from 185 pounds to 128, he went to the famed Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Doctors there prescribed a combination of chemotherapy and steroid treatment. Although Wyers' prognosis is uncertain, the stomach pain has eased and his appetite has returned. Wyers, who wants to become a baseball coach, remains upbeat. "It's getting better," he says.

"I feel stronger." "He's tough;" says Wyers' father, also named Buddy. "He's holding up." Tough? Hester, the New Hope coach, says Wyers helped coach New Hope summer league players until recently. "He was out there, all skin and bones, giving back to the community," Hester says. "Hell make a great coach." It's time to give back Medical expenses for the Wyers family are enormous. Friends in New Hope, a closeknit baseball town if ever there was one, have rallied in support.

The Buddy Wyers Fund has been established at Trustmark Bank (3610 New Hope Road, Columbus, MS 39702). Current and former New Hope players will play benefit games Tuesday and Thursday nights (7 p.m.). Admission is by donation. "Here's a kid, 20 years old, who has already given so much to the community," Hester said. "I'd sure hope the community will give back." Tomorrow: Joe Culpepper vJC v.

"-53 v-a Brian Albert BroomThe Clsrion-Ledgar Jackson Charger Paul Oyuga takes control of the ball over Mid Michigan's Buck Scott Emert Saturday night. to keep track of them. The Chargers are two victories away from a national championship and clear favorites to win it. "It's kind of scary being undefeated," Johnny Mulrooney said. 6, never got much of an attack going after that.

Instead, the Chargers got chance after chance, to the delight of a sideline 10 rows deep filled with squirming kids in soccer gear and parents trying with varying degrees of success Two minutes later, Schell stole the ball and dribbled past two defenders, then cut the ball across the goal mouth into the far corner. Armstrong pulled Mid Michigan within one in the 53rd minute, but the Bucks, 13- As far as Fargo goes, Maris will always be king Take a look at the photo on page 10D and help us identify who these teams are, where they're playing and when. You may hold the key that unlocks this treasure of Mississippi baseball history. 2 McGwire, Sosa each go deep By Luke Cyphers Ww York Dairy Naw ST. LOUIS Believe the hype.

This weekend's Cubs-Cardinals series really is the Basch While rest of country is rabid over record race, this place is still loyal at Busch. Just look at Saturday's goofy 9-8 Cards' victory, which took Complete coverage, 80 Taia Laagu Jackson 10 Shreveport 1 National Laagua Cardinals 9 Cubs 8 Braves 14 Giants 6 Reds 4 Brewers 0 Expos 5 Diamondbacks 3 Astros 7 Phillies 6 Mets 4 Rockies 3 Astros 7 Phillies 6 American Laagu Yankees 14 Royals 1 White Sox 7 Angels 6 Mariners 9 Tigers 3 Blue Jays 6 Athletics 6 Indians 6 Devil Rays 2 Red Sox 11 Rangers 1 Orioles 6 Twins 3 Houston happy to have Big Unit, 7D Baseball bounces back, 80 Braves pound out 20 hits, 8D Fargo is where Maris grew up, became a high school star and started his professional baseball career. It's where he found comfort when he wanted to be treated like nobody special. But in Fargo these days, 13 years after his death, Maris has never seemed so special. The city has assumed a protective mode.

It goes through this whenever someone belts 15 homers in a month and puts himself on a record track. Nobody had been close in late September until McGwire belted 58 and Griffey 56 last season, and now the folks of Fargo are living with the specter of their favorite son losing his spot in the record book. "I was talking about it with my son at dinner, and we think it's about 50-50 itH be broken," Walter Seeba of Fargo says. "People around here will be disappointed, but I don't think Roger would have been." And how would Seeba, who stays busy in retirement working at a hotel parking garage, know how Maris might have felt? He's his brother-in-law. Seeba's wife, Mary Jo, and Maris' widow, Pat are sisters.

"Let me tell you about the kind of guy he was," Seeba says. "We were in Kansas City, and the Yankees were flying into town from Chicago that night We heard the game in Chicago got rained out so when we picked Roger up from the downtown airport, we didn't talk about baseball "We stop for coffee at this place on 40 Highway, and some kids recognize Roger. They were telling him, 'Great Turns out they played the game, and he had hit two home runs and drove in six or seven. Never said a word about it to us. It just wasn't like him to talk about anything he did." Before he broke into the majors with the Cleveland Indi- By Blair Kerkhoff Knight Ridder Newspapers FARGO, N.D.

At the West Acres Mall, a passer-by teases visitors taking in the photographs at the 72-foot stretch of encased memorabilia that is the Roger Maris Museum. "Mark McGwire's gonna do it; he's gonnnnna do it" the man sings as he hustles past the display. Probably. Maybe. Who knows? If not McGwire, then Ken Griffey Jr.

or Sammy Sosa. And if not this year, then next or the year after. One of baseball's most durable records 61 home runs in a season seems more attainable each year, and baseball is absorbed by the thrill of the hunt Newspapers detail the "Maris chase." Some call it the "Maris assault" It has been 37 years since Maris overtook Babe Ruth. People are ready for a new record holder. Except in Fargo, this city of nearly 80,000 that shares its identity with the town across the Red River, Moorhead, four hours, 25 minutes, 13 innings and a severe toll on the Busch Stadium fences as well as a toll on a certain big redhead's good humor.

Record-chasing Cardinal slugger Mark McGwire hit home run No. 46, and his Cub counterpart, Sammy Sosa, hammered No. 44 a two-run blast in the top of the ninth that tied the score at 5 and sent the game into extra innings. This was what the packed house of 48,064 was here for. Big Mac continued his assault of Roger Maris' record of 61.

"There's more important things to worry about than Mark McGwire." he said. Denny Brauer, 49, finally wins the big one, the BASS Masters Classic. 12D "He would have been a great pitcher In any decade or any era. There's a call for him being among the greatest who ever pitched." Mazzone Kentucky sports information department is preparing for Tim Couch's Heisman run. Atlanta pitching coach Leo Mazzone on Cy Young award winner Greg Maddux.

See MARIS, 9D -4.