The Times from Shreveport, Louisiana • Page 23

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 1999 5C THE TIMES Pouble-A Baseball Texas League Standings The demotion of Yorvit Torrealba to Class A San Jose Tuesday opened up the every day catching job to Giuseppe Chiaramonte. That was welcome news to Chiaramonte, who prefers to be in the Monday's late box Drillers 3, Captains 2 SHREVEPORT TULSA SECOND HALF Eastern Division CB Jackson 31 22 .585 Tulsa 29 25 .537 2 5 i-SHREVEPORT 22 31 .415 9 Arkansas 18 34 .346 125 Western Division x-Wehita 32 21 .604 Midland 29 25 .537 3.5 El Paso 26 27 .49 6 San Antonio 26 28 .461 6.5 lineup every day. "I finally get a chance to play every day and a chance to prove myself," Chiaramonte said. "It will be a good opportunity for me." v. Chiaramonte came into Tuesday's game hitting .252 these: Pitcher Edwin Corps was promoted to Triple-A Fresno.

Corps, who has been with Shreveport since 1995, was 54 with a 4.59 ERA in 24 games. Infielder Carlos Campusano and outfielder Chad Faircloth were sent down to Class A Bakersfield. The Captains also received pitcher David Chavarria and catcher Matt Priess from Class A San Jose and outfielder Doug Clark from Class A Bakersfield. Cha-cha-changes: The arrival of shortstop Cody Ransom from Class A Bakersfield Tuesday will cause for some changes in the Captains infield. "He's going to play," Turner said.

"And Spider (Mendoza) is going to play. How much and how we're going to do It is going to be interesting. "They're quality young players. Whoever gets the least amount of playing time, it's not a reflection on what we in the organization think'of them." The most likely scenario has Mendoza playing some at second base and third base with Ransom playing primarily at shortstop. comfortable at times, comfortable at times.

It needs to stay the same." Back-to-back: The Captains' 75 home runs prior to Tuesday's game were the fewest in the Texas League. But it would have been hard to tell in the second inning when Mike Glendenning and Pedro Feliz hit back-to-back home runs. Going down: Catcher Yorvit Torrealba has been both promoted and demoted this season. Torrealba got the news of his assignment to Class A San Jose late Monday night. "He was shocked," Captains manager Shane Turner said.

"We also tried to explain to him that there are things you don't understand. But give it a couple of weeks because you might be surprised where everything falls." Torrealba is a 40-man roster player who could be called up to the big leagues on Sept. 1 when rosters expand to 40 players. See ya: Among the other player moves made on a busy Tuesday were "I think you might see Spider get a little time at third base and maybe some time at second base," Turner said. "I think that' only going to aid Spider.

The more positions you can play the better. "But I think down the road Spider is going to hit and hit with some pop." Mendoza went into Tuesday's game hitting .208 with three homers and 35 RBIs against Double-A competition. Ransom hit .275 with 11 homers and 47 RBIs before being promoted from Bakersfield. He's back: Second baseman Travis Young returned to the Captains Tuesday after playing 26 games at Triple-A Fresno. Young hit .277 with two homers and 11 RBIs.

"You appreciate T.Y. more and more when you see him play every day," Turner said. "I've had him throughout his career but I think I appreciated him more when he was gone than when he was here." Tonight's game: Shreveport sends left-hander Mike Riley (5-2, Chiaramonte ab bi ab bi Piniellarf 3 00 1 Magruder cf-rt 30 0 0 Sergio 2b 4 010 Tyler 2b 4110 Lamb 3b 4111 Minor 1b 3 010 Brumbaugh If 4111 Byas pr-d 00 00 Gallagher 1 4 000 Chiaramonte dh 4 0 0 0 Ibarra dh 4 000 Glendenning If 3 011 Bautista ss 2 000 Feliz 3b 4 010 Myers cf 2110 Dilone rf-1b 4110 Goodwtnc 3000 Torrealbac 3010 Mendoza ss 3 0 0 1 Totals 30 3 4 3 Totals 31262 Tulsa 0O0 210OO0-3 Shreveport 100 010 000 -2 Mendoza. DP Tulsa 1. LOB Tulsa 3, Shreveport 5.

2B Sergio. Dilone. HR Lamb (191, Brumbaugh (22). SB Myers. CS Bautista.

SF Pmiella IP ER 8B SO Tulsa Buckles W.7-4 6 5 2 2 2 2 SollecitoS.8 3 1 0 0 1 5 Shreveport 8 4 3 2 2 2 Knoll 1 0 0 0 0 1 PB-Torrealba. 2:19. ,877. -on fast-hall title MONDAY'S RESULTS Tulsa 3. Shreveport 2 Jackson 6.

Arkansas 5 Mtfand 12. WehUa 8 San Anlomo 5. El Paso 1 TUESDAY'S GAMES Tulsa at Shreveport, (n) Arkansas at Jackson, WichrtaattMand. In) El Paso it San Antonio, ni TODAY'S GAMES Turn tt Shreveport, 7:35 p.m. Aikansas at Jackson Wichrta al Midland El Paso at San Antonio -with 16 homers and 60 RBIs.

Those numbers were put up -primarily splitting time with Torrealba. There was a three-week period earlier this summer when Torrealba played at Triple-A Fresno giving Chiaramonte the 'every day job. got into a little more of a groove. I the ball a lot better," Chiaramonte 'said. "I have been trying different things throughout the year and felt un- 2.50) to the mound to face Tulsa's Hank Woodman (0-1, 6.75) in a 7:35 game at Fair Grounds Field.

Scott Ferrell College Football afolssia eisman iro ets a sponsor turns affety re Roundup as team leader The Associated Press COLUMBIA, S.C. Arturo Freeman had seen his and his team's season backfire. Now, he wondered if his decision months earlier to stay with the Gamecocks would cost him, too. It was November and Brad Scott, the coach who lured Freeman to American Suzuki pays $1.5 million for 3 years. From Wire Reports NEW YORK First the Rose Bowl, now the Heisman Trophy.

Last season, the Rose Bowl gave in to corporate sponsorship and was renamed the Rose Bowl, presented by The Heisman Trophy hasn't gone that far, but it now has a big-time sponsor for the first time. American Suzuki signed a three-year, $1.5 million deal on Monday with the Downtown Athletic Club the presenter of the trophy and became the chief sponsor of the award. No corporate tag will appear before or after the words Heisman Trophy, Rudy Riska, executive director of the Heisman session of the fall. NORTHEAST LOUISIANA: The Northeast Louisiana University football team kicked it up a notch as the Indians wore full pads and participated in full contact drills for the first time Tuesday afternoon. After a morning workout in shorts and shoulder pads, the Indians' twoiour afternoon practice featured a lot more hitting as the team went through "tuff" and full squad drills.

During the afternoon portion of the two-a-day practice, first-year head coach Bobby Keasler's team went through position drills before going full contact with the "tuff" drill. In the "tuff" drill, three offensive blockers, one running back and one wide receiver attempt to gain 10 yards in a confined area against two defensive linemen, a linebacker and a defensive back. NLU will have a full scrimmage governed by Conference USA officials Saturday at 4 p.m. in Malone Stadium. That practice is open to the public and admission is free.

NORTHWESTERN STATE: The more Northwestern State football coach Sam Goodwin sees of his South Carolina, was fired after going 1-10, the Gamecocks worst season. Freeman didn't play a part in the debacle. The all-conference safety watched the season pass on crutches af Holtz sincerity and dedication. "I wished I could think of something that good to say," the coach said. The two share a natural bond, the 62-year-old Holtz said "because he's about as old as I am." Freeman, whoU be 23 this season, was one of Scott's marquee recruits five years ago when the Gamecocks were trying to rebuild their defense, statistically one of the worst in the Southeastern Conference.

He played nine games as a freshman and was the team's third-leading tackier. He led the club the next two seasons and his six interceptions in 1997 were 10th in the nation. He was part of Playboy Magazine's preseason all-star team and at the team's fan day that year said the Gamecocks "were ready to click." But Freeman went full speed into a teammates' helmet while practicing punt blocks on the last day of two-a-day practices. Scott was timing a kick's height when he heard the collision and saw Freeman on the ground. "I knew it was bad," Scott said.

"But I knew the kind of person Arturo is, he wouldn't let it keep him down." Freeman said almost immediately after surgery he planned to work through last fall and be back on the field this year. "It tested my faith more than it tested my desire," he said. In addition to four to six hours of rehab a day, Freeman finished his retailing degree and plans to take graduate courses this fall. "I also got some things in my life in order," he said. Holtz's embrace kept Freeman pushing toward his return.

"He brings us a realism of life," Freeman said of his new coach. "He Trophy said. The DAC, which emerged from bankruptcy in June, has presented the Heisman since 1935. The trophy is awarded to college football's top player. Also, Suzuki 1999 recruiting class, the more he likes it.

His first impressions were confirmed Tuesday after the two-time defending Southland Football League champions staged their first full-contact practice of preseason in a twoiour morning workout. The if A If Keasler DINardo AP South Carolina defensive back Arturo Freeman, who is returning after missing the 1998 season with an injury, performs a drill in practice. ter tearing two knee ligaments on a routine punt play in August practice. Projected as. a high NFL draft pick, Freeman could have gone pro after surgery and grueling rehabilitation.

But he wanted to finish what he started. Freeman only needed to know if new coach Lou Holtz wanted him. "It was a little frightening," Freeman said. "But that's one of the great things about coach Holtz, he gives you the benefit of the doubt and sees what you can bring to a team." Holtz quickly found a cornerstone to rebuilding the Gamecocks in Freeman. Soon after he was hired, Holtz brought in several team leaders to feel them out.

Freeman, who hadn't played a down in more than a year, told the others, "We need to have one heartbeat and one Holtz remembered. Holtz was struck by Freeman's himself the year before. He said he didn't think, just reacted when he hit the practice field for the first time in a year last week. When he landed hard on the ground during one drill, he got up smiling when there was no pain. Some teammates smiled and cheered.

"He's back, he's back," they shouted. "I know I'm going to have a great year. I'm a winner," he said. "The second time around is going to be better than the first" teaches us to get your act together. He made us realize we're not living in a football dream world." Holtz said he would have kept Freeman around even if his knee did not heal, because he "has the type of qualities that you really want in your football team.

So he can contribute in a lot of ways." Freeman wants to contribute in only one way with some victories. He was frustrated he couldn't beef up a secondary that had only five interceptions, less than he had Demons donned shorts and shoulder pads for a 90-minute mid-afternoon session hampered by personnel shortages stemming from steamy humidity creating a 108-degree heat index. "I've been impressed with our defensive backs. There are some good young guys out there, but some of our returning players Judith Sylvester at safety, Diaquri Rabb and Rondale Durio at corner have really improved," said Goodwin, who immediately praised freshmen Cory Bell, Robert Ethridge, Eric Louis and Terrence McGee. LOUISIANA TECH: Louisiana Tech's Sept.

18 game against Alabama has been changed to 4 p.m. The contest had originally been scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will mark the first matchup between the two schools since the Bulldogs upset the Crimson Tide 26-20 in 1997. For ticket information, call 257-4111. Louisiana Tech coach Jack Bicknell knows the time is nearing when his Bulldogs will travel to Tallahassee, to face the preseason No.

1-ranked Florida State Seminoles. The first-year coach said his coaches and players are doing everything possible to prepare. "I am happy with the way the kids have practiced," Bicknell said. "We have accomplished what we needed to in two-a-days, but we still have to get better. As a team we are coming along." Bicknell looks at the season opener as an opportunity to get better and is stressing to his players not to focus on the opponent.

"I don't care who we are playing," Bicknell told the players after Tuesday morning workouts. "We need to focus on this team getting better each day. I want to make sure we are the best team we can be Aug. 28." signed a three-year, $35 million deal with Time Warner in a marketing partnership to promote the Heisman. Part of the promotion allows fans to have a voice albeit a small one in who wins.

LSU: The Tigers completed their sec-. ond day of practice in full pads Tuesday afternoon, bringing their season opener against San Jose State one day closer. The match-up will take place Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. in Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers practiced nearly two-and-a-half hours in extremely hot and humid conditions in only their second day of full pad workouts. Practice opened with some brief special teams work and individual group periods, followed by 9-on-7 drills which emphasized on the running game. Coach Gerry DiNardo ended practice with a 45-minute situational team scrimmage, in which each team on both sides of the ball received plenty of reps. "Today, we wanted to end practice physically with a team scrimmage in which we could work on both the first and second teams' running games," DiNardo said. "Tomorrow, we will have a regular practice in the morning, which will last until the usual time, and then in the afternoon we will have the 40 to 50 play scrimmage.

"I would definitely like to come out of the with a better feel of how the quarterbacks are going to be ranked within themselves, but it will take some time until we are completely decided on a starter," said DiNardo. The Tigers will continue to practice twice a day through the end of the week, and today the team will have its first scrimmage Evangel: Polls rate Eagles' schedule differently from No. 15 that's better. I don't won't to ever guarantee anything like that from the start." That doesn't seem to bother Dunn. He said his program is just ready to play football.

"We enjoy and are very honored that we are even mentioned," Dunn said. "In and of itself, that's pretty amazing that a Shreveport school can even be mentioned. Whether we are third, first, 25th or not in the polls, we don't talk about those polls." starters and the nation's No. 1-rated quarterback, Brock Berlin. The Eagles will be led defensively by Stevie Lee, who has been rated as the No.

2 defensive lineman in the country. But even should Evangel go unbeaten, and the top two teams fall, Krider says there's no guarantee the Eagles will climb to No. 1. "I'm not going to ever guarantee that No. 3 will ever go to No.

1 because maybe somebody will come DeMoney ranks Midland Lee, which returns just one defensive starter, but a group of stellar running backs, at No. 8. The Generals are No. 2 in Fox Sports' poll. Northwestern, which is the defending Florida Class 6A champions, is No.

4 in Gridiron Greats. The Bulls went undefeated last season and return a bevy of Division I prospects. They are ranked No. 16 in the Fox Sports poll. Evangel returns eight offensive Continued from 1C 10 seasons, believes the schedule that the Eagles play is solid.

While he doesn't rank Louisiana among his top three power states, it is in the second tier. "Evangel is in the driver's seat to be our post-season No. 1," DeMoney said. If Evangel wins all the games on their schedule this year, especially this year now that they have moved up, they are worthy of being the top team in the country." High School Football Woridng Together Lions: New QB learned lessons from predecessor It's tlie American way. It's also the United Way.

playoffs." That will be a tough feat. The Lions lost 22 seniors from last year's squad. But Payne thinks Pierson can help them overcome the loss. "He's a competitor," Payne said. "I think he will step up and accept the challenge.

His arm strength will not compare with Kurvis', but he has enough to do the things we want him to do. He's smart enough to read the defense and figure out where he needs to throw the football." Pierson threw one touchdown last season. It came in the Lions' 38-33 slugfest victory against Bossier. But this season he's planning to do more. "I look forward to throwing a lot more touchdowns this season," Pierson said.

"I want to be good. Everybody thinks that Booker T. can't win. I want to put Booker T. on the map." Continued from 1C Pierson spent parts of last season studying Sharp.

He watched from the sideline as Sharp passed for more than 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns. He waited patiently for his chance to step in and quarterback the Lions. But now that the wait is over, Pierson is ready prove his worth. Although he has never been a full-time quarterback, he believes he can help the Lions. "I want to replace Kurvis," Pierson said.

"I want to be myself. I can be just as good as he was, but I don't think I will replace him." Pierson hopes he can help the Lions advance to the state playoffs, something they haven't done since 1990. "I want this season real bad," he said. "I want a district championship. And I want to make it to at least the second round of the Thank Your For Your Support i Y- United Ws of Northwest Louisiana Amy Beth BennettTrie Times Booker T.

Washington quarterback Carlos Pierson will try to take the place of departed signal caller Kurvis Sharp and lead the Lions..