Tallahassee Democrat from Tallahassee, Florida • Page 12

0 19907D Tallahassee May 27 De John steps into breach with a stunning effort Rrk, Cars with Chevy engines IfilU 500 have won 15 of last 17 From 1D fat By Jeannie Roberts Democrat staff writer I have a good feeling, but know -I'm going to have competition the whole race. 0 Emerson Fittipaldi 9 S's" mil', 1 Associated Press Burke Masters (wearing glasses) celebrates his grand slam DACCDAI I FSU loses for first time DAOCDALL with ninth-inning lead From 1D wins, including an upset of second-ranked Fresno State. Her gutsy performance has become the talk of the tournament In her first 20 innings, she gave up only two earned runs. A chronic sciatic-nerve problem renders her back and hips sore. Pitching, especially a rise-ball, takes a toll on her back, so she limps when she walks.

Her arm is sore. The ring finger on her throwing hand bleeds with every pitch. But she's a senior, and this is the College World Series. As a freshman, she went to the World Series in Omaha but did not pitch. She's had a stellar career at FSU and holds the record for career victories with 90.

"The coaches told me I had to carry the pitching load after Christy got hurt," DeJohn said. "And even though I'm tired and sore, I'm feeling great. I'm pitching from the heart and going on emotion. And the team is pulling together. We're getting big hits (home runs from Gutierrez and Leslie Barton) from freshmen.

Lora (Migliaccio, filling in for Rice) is doing a great job. "It's not just me. This is a total team effort. I've got to give it all I have here. For me, there is no tomorrow, no next week, no next year.

I've got the rest of my life for my body to heal, but there's no more softball. I have to do everything in my power to help us win." And her gutsy performance is winning her fans by the dozen. During an interview at the World Series, a Fresno State fan interrupted and asked to take a picture. "I love watching you pitch," he said. "And that's even though you beat us.

You're quite a pitcher." To which DeJohn said, "It's our whole team. I just want these games to be the best I've ever pitched. I'm doing the best I can." Second baseman Kelly Flac-zinski said of DeJohn's World Series performance, "She's pitching with a lot of heart, and it's making the team pull together behind her." OKLAHOMA CITY Two 'H months ago, by her own admission, 'sDebbie DeJohn was not giving the Florida State softball team all she rfhad. 1 She was winning games, sure, i' But little by little, she began to no-rt tice that teammate Christy Larsen the call in the big games. De-'-John went to pitching coach Connie Clark and asked for the truth.

"Be frank with me," DeJohn, 21, and the only senior on the FSU team, which is competing in the Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City. "Why's Christy getting the bigger games?" Clark told DeJohn that Larsen was getting the job done and that, at the time, Larsen's pitching was more suited to the bigger games than DeJohn's. Not true Anymore, and bv ner.essitv DeJohn vy. A back injury kept Larsen in Tallahassee last weekend during the Region 7 NCAA playoff in Lafayette, La. The Lady Seminoles, r) seeded third, took DeJohn as their 0only pitcher.

Freshman Toni Gutierrez could have pitched, but much experience, coaches did not want to call on her unless was absolutely necessary. DeJohn pitched three complete games 24 innings and led the Lady Seminoles to the Region title and to the World Series. Without Larsen, and without starting catcher Julie Rice, who has torn knee ligaments, Florida State, seeded seventh in the eight-team tournament, was supposed to lose twice and go home. They didn't. DeJohn pitched 27 innings in three days at the World Series and led the Lady Seminoles to two .1.

in on himself. He has not eased on the throttle. Driving his Penske-Chevrolet Fittipaldi was the first driver to qualify for this year's Indy 500, and he completed the 10-mile run in 2 minutes, 39.786 seconds for a record qualifying time of 225.301 m.p.h. None of the 37 qualifiers to follow matched it. "Looking at the other drivers, I know the competition will be there," Fittipaldi said.

"I would say you have about seven or eight drivers with a good chance of winning the 500: Rick Mears, Danny, Al (Unser) Mario and Michael (Andretti), Bobby Rahal. I think there will be a lot of competition there. "You know, you can have a good feeling yourself, but you don't know what the competition is going to do," he said. "I have a good feeling, but I know I'm going to have competition the whole race. And I think it will be a much closer race than it was last year." Anyone driving a racer with a Chevrolet engine, including No.

2 qualifier Rick Mears and No. 3 qualifier Arie Luyendyk, has a good chance to win today's race. Drivers with Chevy engines have won 15 of the last 17 Indy-car races, and 29 of the last 32. The top nine drivers in today's race will use Chevy engines. "You can't focus on one man," said Mario Andretti, who will start sixth in a Lola-Chevrolet "The reality of it is that more than just Emerson can control the race." Said Mario's son and teammate, Michael, who will start fifth in a Lola-Chevrolet: "Emerson's not the only guy out there.

If you wrap yourself all around Emerson, you'll have somebody else blowing by you." "Emerson is the favorite," Mario said. "But he's not an overwhelming favorite in my book." Until his memorable victory at Indy last year in which he edged past Unser, who was knocked into the wall in the 199th lap of the race Fittipaldi was known primarily as a former Formula One driver who had burned out on racing in the mid-1970s. He had bottomed out quickly, losing his reputation as a national sports hero in Brazil. When Fittipaldi first attempted to qualify for the Indy 500 in 1984, he drove a pink-colored racer that quickly was nicknamed "The Elephantine Machine." He started 23rd and finished 32nd. "I think a lot of drivers took it as a joke, and I took it as a joke," he said.

"I could not be serious. And I think for me, it was a great thing that happened to me. I came here with no pressure, no commitment to do well. It was the best way to have the first Indy 500 experience. It was great to come with a low-key operation." Penske racing, which includes Sullivan and three-time Indy winner Mears on its team, certainly is no low-key operation.

"But Emerson's brought a tremendous amount of professionalism to the team," Sullivan said. "He's out there, he's hot and he's enthusiastic." Sullivan broke one of his trademark, million-watt Hollywood smiles, then said, "We'll just have to go out and beat him." What are the chances of Fittipaldi keeping his title? "It's difficult to repeat anywhere on a race track," said Rahal, who won at Indy in 1986 but finished 26th; a year later. "Just because you win one year does not mean you're going to win the next Five hundred miles is an awfully long way to go." But Fittipaldi has prepared himself for this race. He has tried to block out specific times for preparing for the race and specific times for the peripheral responsibilities that go to the defending Indy champion including interviews and promotional appearances. "What he has tried to do," said Fittipaldi's publicist, Kevin Diamond, "is try to use the pressure of being a defending champion in a positive way.

He understands it He's aware it's there. What he said to me before we even came here is, 'Kevin, make sure everything is And the current Indy 500 Man in Demand has tried to relax as much as he can. Because today at noon, Fittipaldi will find himself being chased by 32 racers in high gear. "I concentrate more than I did last year," Fittipaldi said. "I work more close to the team this year than last year.

I spent more time in the garage. I am always in the garage." gave up 14 earned runs, 14 hits with five walks and two strikeouts over 15 innings. He fared even worse against FSU. Allen Bevis led off with a walk followed by a Ronan single. Rob Bargas then drilled a three-run homer over the right-field fence.

Chris Roberts' two-run single chased Moler later in the inning, giving FSU its 5-0 lead. MISSISSIPPI STATE FLORIDA STATE ab bi ab bi DMitchell cf 3 2 11 Bevis 2b Ronan If Perez lb Roberts cf Tamayo dh Grifol Bargas 3b Brock rf Rau ss Cribb ph Totals 5 12 1 Masters 3b Cohen If Raffo lb Shave ss Echols rf Robinson Buckner dh Hamilton or 6 2 6 5 6 0 11 6 0 3 0 5 110 5 2 11 3 2 2 0 5 0 3 3 0 10 0 4 10 0 4 2 2 0 4 13 1 4 0 11 4 2 0 0 4 0 12 3 111 4 0 11 3 10 0 10 0 0 36 11 7 SMitchell 2b Totals 43 11 18 10 Mississippi State Florida State 112 100 00611 410 001 110 8 Robinson, Masters, Shave. DP MSU 2, FSU 1. LOB-MSU 11, FSU t. 2B-Ronan, Grifol, Brock.

3B Bevis. HR Masters (5). SB Perez. CS Raffo. SF Bargas.

IP ER BB SO Mississippi State George 0.1 4 4 4 1 1 Harden 5 12 1 2 1 Daniel W.5-2 3 5 2 2 1 1 Reed 0.2 2 0 0 0 0 Florida State Painter 3 8 4 4 1 4 Brady 2 5 1 1 0 0 Dunbar 2.1 2 0 0 0 3 Kimball 1 4 6 6 2 1 Nedeau 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 Brady pitched to one batter in 6th. WP Painter, Brady. PB Grifol. HBP DMitchell 2 (by Brady, Dunbar); SMitchell (by Kimball). 3:50.

A 7,227. ILLINOIS ab bi Parsons 2b 2 0 0 0 O'Connor cf 5 0 11 BRoberts lb 5 0 2 0 Dalesandro 5 1 1 0 Christensen ss3 1 0 0 Sutton If 4 113 FLORIDA STATE ab bi Bevis 2b Ronan If Bargas 3b Perez lb Tamayo dh Grifol Brock rf CRoberts cf Rau ss 3 10 0 3 110 4 113 4 0 10 4 13 0 4 110 4 12 0 4 0 2 3 4 0 10 Cuchran dh 4 0 10 Cohick rf Small 3b Totals 4 12 0 4 0 0 0 36 4 I 4 Totals 34 12 6 Illinois Florida State 000 500 000 1304 010 OOx Rau. DP Illinois 1. LOB Illinois 10, FSU 4. 2B Grifol, CRoberts, Cohick, Cuchran.

HR Bargas (5), Sutton (4). SB Brock, CRoberts, Ronan. CS Perez, Tamayo. He gave up two singles, including one that scooted underneath first baseman Eddie Perez'a glove. A fielder's choice grounder scored a run, and then Kimball hit Scott Mitchell in the head to load the bases: Up stepped Burke Masters, who was 11 for 13 in the tourney.

On a 3-1 pitch, Masters went down and cranked a Kimball fastball over the left-field fence for his first career grand slam. "I still didn't feel like I had great stuff like I had (at last week's Metro Conference tournament)," said Kimball, who said the same thing on Friday. "But I had enough to get out of the (eighth) inning. I got behind a couple of guys, and it seemed like pitches I got in (the strike zone) on other situations didn't get in today." Asked if he was rattled after allowing the initial baserunners on, Kimball replied, "I wouldn't call it rattled. I would call it mad, because I let myself get in that situation.

I had to step off the mound a few times because I was so mad." John Nedeau retired the next two batters, but Mississippi State had an 11-8 lead. FSU tried to rally in the bottom of the inning when Marc Ronan's single chased reliever Chuck Daniel. In came Reed, who gave up a single to Perez before retiring the next two batters on grounders. In the post-game press conference, FSU coach Mike Martin was adamant about his team's chances despite the painful loss. "Gentlemen, we are not out of this tournament," he said, repeating it about twice more during the interview.

He was right After a four-hour, forty-minute rest, the Seminoles came right back and did what they did against the Bulldogs early. They scored. Instead of four runs, they got five off Illini starter Jason Moler, a third baseman who'd appeared in only two games since April 22. In those appearances, Moler MA.vn Aii Leslie Barton's hitting SOFTBALL a key for FSU women From 1D My commitment to Best Prices, Best Service! Would you be willing to Try Us? But the Lady Seminoles packed plenty of extra heart for Oklahoma, and after beating second-ranked Fresno State in the first round, they became the official Cinderella team of the World Series, a position Coach JoAnne Graf warmly embraced. When reminded that her team was one of four left in contention for the national championship, Graf said, "I still like to think of us as the Cinderella team.

We're still the underdog, but you never know, we might get a break." DeJohn, who has pitched 21 innings in three days, began to wear out Saturday, walking five UNLV Batters, but she was supported by six Florida State hits three of them, including a solo homer to center field, by freshman Leslie Barton. Barton hit a single, a triple and the home run, which was her fifth of the season and had two RBIs. "I just try to hit the ball hard every time I go up there," said Barton, who has been a surprise power source for the Lady Seminoles this Tim Duncan OwnerManager, Sun Tire IP ER BB SO Illinois Moler 0.2 6 5 5 1 1 Torianl 4 5 1110 Kraft 2.1 1 0 0 0 1 Richards 10 0 0 0 1 Florida State Bailey W.9-1 7 7 4 3 4 3 Kimball 2 1 0 0 1 2 Bailey pitched to three batters in 8th. WP Toriani. PB Dalesandro.

BK Bailey. 2:41. A 3,393. 'Our Extended Warranties are Re-Balancing Flat Repair Rotation Road Hazard Mileage Warranty They aren't at the competition! 40, 50, 60,000 Mile Warranties I 60.99 Pistons say they were their own worst enemy 215-75R15 235-75R15 30X9 50R15 31X10.50R15 31X11. 50R15 TT MfMHiMtMp tMiliirWurftiAl I g.

Jordan says he criticized BULLS whole team, including self From 1D PREMIUM STEEL BELTED RADIAL Include FREE: Re-Balancing Flat Repair Rotalion Road Hazard Mileage Warranty 18560SR14 47.95 19560SR14 .49.95 19560SR15 5T.95 20560SR15 53.95 19550HR15 64.95 20550HR15 91.95 22550HR15 95.95 22550HR16 t4.95 24550HR16 T24.95 season. "I don't really try to hit it far, because if I try to hit it far, I miss it every time." Barton's home run came off of UNLV pitcher Lori Harrigan, who missed with a high, outside fastball. "I thought it was out when I hit it," Barton said, "because I knew I'd hit it well." Barton's triple, which came in the fourth inning, came with Penny Siqueiros, who had singled, aboard. "Leslie really picked us up. We needed a spark, and I'd say she was very responsible for this victory," Graf said.

DeJohn, who has pitched every inning of the Lady Seminoles postseason, walked five batters and gave up five hits. The Lady Rebels, 41-27, scored in the second inning when Felicia Benjamins singled, was sacrificed to second and scored on Kim Harris' single. Vegas 010 000 0 1 5 2 Florida State 000 202 4 6 1 Harrigan and Benjamins; DeJohn and Migliaccio. DeJohn (25-7). Harrigan (25-17).

HR FSU: Barton (5). Bulls were going to pull away, the 3-pointers started falling for the Pistons. Mark Aguirre hit a 3-pointer to close the gap to 101-97 with 47.3 seconds left And with 15.2 seconds Thomas popped the net from 3-point territory to make it 105-102. Thomas then stole the ball from Scottie Pippen, but Aguirre missed from well beyond the 3-point semicircle, leaving the Bulls with the victory in hand. "We wasted the efforts of Isiah Thomas," Detroit coach Chuck Daly lamented.

"They pretty much abandoned their offense and gave the ball to Jordan at the top. He went one-on-one all day." Jordan got strong help from his supporting cast Pippen had 29 points and Horace Grant had 10, and the Bulls mauled the Pistons on the boards, snatching 21 offensive rebounds. "The loss of the game was directly related to offensive rebounding," said Daly. Whatever Jordan said Tuesday night at The Palace apparently had an effect The Bulls were so active that Daly's Jordan Rules never came into play. With the Pistons rarely double-teaming, Jordan feasted.

whitewall Size Our Price Blackwall Size Our Price P155-80R13 30.99 155SR13 23.99 P175-80R13 a.9 165SR13 27.99 P195-75R14 41.99 17570-13 3J.99 P205-75R14 43.99 18570-13 36.99 P205-75R15 43.99 18570-14 36.99 P215-75R15 47.99 19570-14 40.99 P225-75R15 Include FREE: Re-Balancing Flat Repair Rotation 1,000 INSTANT CREDIT AVAILABLE Advanced Computer Tread Design Exceptional Wet Surface Traction Plus Quiet Ride High Mileage Our Price 27.99 23.99 24.99 27.99 29.99 XH17SB0R13 EPX21S60R14 MXV18570HR14 6. MXL16570R13 B4.f tC" ft Our Price 24.99 23.99 23.99 29.99 31.99 33.99 33.99 wnitewaii Size 165-80R13 ''lttr 175-80R13 185-J5R14 195-75R14 205-75R14 215-75R15 225-75R15 Blackball Size 155SR13 165SR13 17570R13 18570R13 18570R14 "We played stupidly," Bill Laim-beer said of what followed. "We weren't on cruise control," said Dennis Rodman, "but we made mistakes. You can't blame anybody, and they played well, real well. But if we don't make mistakes, we win." "When we got that lead, we're a veteran team and we're supposed to know how to protect it We didn't," concluded Johnson.

"There's no way explaining it Personally, I think we got too comfortable, too relaxed, and they kept attacking, showed some poise. A year ago, they may have quit." The Bulls, mere babes in comparison to the Pistons, first flashed that sign when they were down 14 with just less than five minutes remaining in this third period. Jordan, naturally, announced it initially, announced it with a magical layup and then a 17-footer from the right corner. "You could see then he wanted to play great" Johnson said, "and when a great player wants that he can do it" "He was definitely more aggressive offensively than in the first two games," Joe Dumars said. "And when he's pulling up and hitting his jumper, he's awful tough to guard.

He becomes almost impossible to stop. "Then, when he's playing offense as well as he was, it translates into all aspects of his game. Those other guys, they fed off of him really well today." By Skip Myslenski Chicago Tribune CHICAGO Isiah Thomas was on a roll. Already in this third period he had buried three consecutive jumpers, and now with just more than three minutes gone in it he nailed a 3-pointer that pushed the Bulls down by a dozen in their Saturday playoff game with the Pistons. John Salley, Detroit's ebullient forward, smiled from his seat on the bench, and from the seat next to him Vinnie Johnson jumped to his feet and thrust his fist skyward.

David Greenwood and Mark Aguirre were howling in glee, too, and none of the other Pistons could be blamed if they also were sniffing that sweet scent of success. They were, after all, the defending NBA champions, a notorious band legendary for its ability to rip out an opponent's heart at the first smell of blood. John Bach, the Bulls assistant had captured them perfectly after Michael Jordan's injury in Game 1 when he said: "Then he was human, and they did exactly what jackals do best. They attacked the wounded." But now, in Game 3 and with all the Bulls gored, these Pistons assumed a guise that ill fit that portrait that captures them as a poised, cold-blooded, veteran team. Some of the Bulls drew the conclusion that Jordan was complaining about the lack of help from his teammates, and Saturday, for the first time since the incident, the Chicago captain told his side of the story.

"As a leader, I've never criticized or cursed my teammates at all," he said. "Although the media says I have, I have not Some of the players might've taken what I said out of context I came in, and I spoke in terms of not or I wanted to clear the air about that" Jordan started this game with the accent on "we." At first he didn't shoot But when he started shooting, it was as if he had a gun that never ran out of ammunition. Jordan took only two shots in the first seven minutes of the game and missed both, while the other Bulls stayed in step with the Pistons. But in the fourth quarter, with the outcome in the balance, Jordan scored 18 points. And as it turned out the Bulls needed just about every one.

The Pistons, who led by 14 points in the second period, were under the spell of Isiah Thomas, who finished the game with 36 points. When it looked as if the HEAVY DUTY SHOCKS $999 Limited Warranty Installation Available r. BRAKE' SPECIAL 1 $3999 I 'Front or Bear (most cars)' 1 Pads Shoes 1 'Turn Rotor Drums Metallic Pads Extra 1 TRACTION RV TIRES $5999 PLUS T. Size 10-15 Mcpherson struts $gg99 (Cartridge Style) INSTALLED Wk 771; Mr-irth Mnnrno Ctroot 199.9n99 jfj ill.