The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 31

i i CALL US INSIDE To contact The Sun's sports department. caD 1-800-269-0488 on Executive Sports Editor Charles Corder, 425-9750. Sports Editor Dan Morris, 425-9636. Diamond JaxxOilers reporter Ross W. Reily, 425-9637.

High schoor reporters: Duane Rankin, 425-9634; Andrew Gilman, 425-9751 i SPORTS Scoreboard Diamond Jaxx Baseball Markets Business Friday, April 3,1998 PAGE 1C 2C 3C 4C 5C 6C Diamond Jaxx christen' first season with victory Jaxx win one for the ages Fifty years from now, eyes blurred by research, a Sun sports writer will be working on the golden anniversary of the Diamond Jaxx's first baseball game. writer will note that Jaxx fans and West Tennessee 3s a whole couldn't have asked ibr a better franchise opener. night in Jacksonville, the Diamond Jaxx rallied with three runs in the eighth and beat the Jacksonville Suns, 6-4. Thousands of area fans Oilers release schedule Tennessee gets two nationally televised games for first season in Nashville, but no Monday Night games. By PAUL KUHARSKY The Tennessean NASHVILLE The Oilers were shut out of Monday Night Football for the fourth season in a row, but they will make two appearances on national television this fall during their first season playing home games in Nashville.

The league released its schedule Thursday. Tennessee's long-awaited Nashville debut will come in Week 2, when the Oilers host the San Diego Chargers on Sept. 13 at Vanderbilt. Tennessee faces several AFC Central Division opponents early. "One of our primary goals is i watched the game live thanks to Jackson's WBBJ-TV and its special broadcast of the Sports Channel Southern League Game of the Month.

A quick note If- I Dan MORRIS Jaxx rally and beat Jacksonville, 6-4, in their inaugural game. By ROSS W. REILY The Jackson Sun JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Diamond Jaxx manager Dave Trembley preached teamwork all spring training. And it was teamwork that proved to be the difference as the Jaxx rallied from a 3-0 deficit to edge the Jacksonville Suns, 6-4, in their inaugural game in the Southern League at Wolfson Park on Thursday night.

But opening day is over, and the Jaxx can get down to the business of playing baseball everyday. "I could barely get anything done (Thursday) because of phone calls, telegrams and such," Trembley said. "But I am glad for the people of West Tennessee, and I am glad for the people that made the trip down that we were able to win this game. I know there are a lot of expectations, but now we've got that first one out of the way." Jaxx starting pitcher Courtney Duncan struggled in the first inning in front of 2,801. He gave up three runs on a triple, a hit batsman, a single and an intentional walk.

But Trembley wanted his team to hang in and chip away. Please see JAXX, 3C A to improve our record within our own division, and with four of our first six games against division foes, we will get the opportunity to face that challenge early in the sea Fisher Jeff Fisher son," Oilers coach 'J CHRIS STANFIELDThe Jackson Sun Diamond Jaxx shortstop Jose Nieves tags out Jacksonville's Glen Barker on an attempted steal Thursday night in the Diamond Jaxx's 6-4 victory in Jacksonville, Fla. FIRST THINGS FIRST FOR DIAMOND JAXX said. A Nov. 8 night game at a brand-new stadium in Tampa Bay will be featured on ESPN, and the regular-season finale, on Saturday, Dec.

26, against Minnesota at Vanderbilt, will be televised nationally by Fox. Two appearances on national TV isn't bad for a young team that went 8-8 last year, but the players covet Monday night chances. "I guess they want to put all the playoff teams on. I'm disappointed, but we have to earn that right this year for next year," tight end Frank Wycheck said. Just six of the Oilers' opponents had losing records last season.

The Oilers could start strong, because they play five of those teams in the first half of the season. Their first seven opponents went 49-62 last season. But the second half looks to be significantly more difficult; their final nine opponents were a combined 88-55 in 1997. Details on ticket sales will be announced in the next few weeks after the Oilers complete their deal with Vanderbilt. OILERS' SCHEDULE First run scored: Kary Bridges scored in the fourth inning with two outs after a double.

He reached third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch by Jacksonville start-' er Brian Powell. First RBI: Ricky Freeman drove' in Jose Nieves on a fielder's choice Here are some of the firsts for the Diamond Jaxx from Thursday's season opener with the Jacksonville Suns. First pitch: Courtney Duncan, ball. First hit: Jose Molina on a 1-0 pitch in the third inning. in the sixth inning.

First stolen base: Jose Nieves on an 0-1 pitch with two outs in the first inning. First strikeout: Courtney Duncan on an 0-2 pitch to Glen Barker, swinging. First double: Kary Bridges hit a 2-0 pitch over the left fielder's head with one out in the fourth inning. First double play: Joe Millette hit into a 4-6-3 double play in the third inning. First double play turned: Kary Bridges to Jose Nieves to Ricky Freeman to end the game.

to the Sports Channel. There were plenty of empty seats behind home plate and throughout Wolfson Park in Jacksonville. Next time, come to Jackson and show the viewers a packed Pringles Park. If the Jaxx keep winning with rallies like that, every night might be a sellout in Jackson, just like the home opener on April 16, against Jacksonville. I 1 think that game probably summarizes the effort of what it took to get this franchise in Jackson," Jaxx president David Hersh said.

"It was a rocky start, but we rallied for the win. It's just a wonderful feeling, one that this community deserves." Hersh chose to remain in Jackson and watch the game oh TV. Jackson Mayor Charles Farmer did attend the game. Trivia time Just in case that sports writer is into trivia 50 years from now, here are some firsts I noted during the broadcast. Centerfielder Bo Porter was the first Diamond Jaxx batter, and he fouled the first pitch to the backstop.

He grounded out to third on a 2-2 count. Shortstop Jose Nieves was the first baserunner, reaching on an error by the shortstop. He also had the first stolen base. Catcher Jose Molina got the first Jaxx hit, a single to left centerfield in the third inning. Second baseman Kary Bridges got the first double in the fourth and scored the first run on a wild pitch to Kevin Curtis.

Curtis' two-run single up the middle gave the Jaxx their first lead, 5-4, in the eighth. Courtney Duncan was the Jaxx's starting pitcher. He hit the first batter he faced but struck out seven in four innings. Benji Grigsby got the win, Richie Barker the save. Lots more firsts await the Jaxx.

But this first win is extra special. Dan Morris is The Sun's sports editor. He can be reached at 425-9636. North Side wins Classic Grandson carries on Caray tradition as well as we all would have liked," Skip said. Before Chip calls his first Cubs' home game today, his father offered some advice.

"I know Chip is very nervous about it, but he can't try to be Harry Caray," Skip said. Skip said his first trip to Chicago, on May 29, will be a bittersweet one. "I will go there to share with Chip and reflect on what might have been if Dad had lived and we all had been together," he said. Harry Caray was scheduled to be in Jackson on June 27 for the Diamond Jaxx game against Huntsville. McGwire powers Cardinals past Dodgers in 12, Page 4C The Associated Press For the first time in decades, opening day passed without a "Holy Cow" from Harry Caray.

The longtime Cubs, Cardinals and White Sox announcer died Feb. 18. But his legacy has not. Son Skip Caray is back as the Braves announcer on TBS, and grandson Chip will take Harry's old spot on Cubs broadcasts. Chip's move to Chicago was supposed to give grandfather and grandson a chance to work together and grow closer.

Before Harry died, he told his wife, Dutchie, that he had two wishes to have another martini and the chance to work with his grandson. "They never lived together in the same town, so they never got the chance to know each other Sept. 6 at Cincinnati, noon Sept. 13 San Diego, noon Sept. 20 at New England, noon Sept.

27 Jacksonville, noon Oct. 4 Open Oct. 1 1 at Baltimore, noon Oct. 18 Cincinnati, noon Oct. 25 Chicago, 3:05 p.m.

Nov. 1 at Pittsburgh, noon Nov. 8 at Tampa Bay. 7:20 p.m. Nov.

15 Pittsburgh, noon Nov.22N.Y. Jets, 3:15 p.m. Nov. 29 at Seattle, 3:05 p.m. Dec.

6 Baltimore, 3:15 p.m. Dec. 13 at Jacksonville, noon Dec. 20 at Green Bay, noon Dec. 26 Minnesota, 1 1 35 a.m.

HELEN COMERThe Jackson Sun North Side's Jason Hefelfinger steals home ahead of the tag by USJ catcher Roger Cook on Thursday in the Indians' 11-7 victory in the Sports Plus Classic title game. More, Page 3C. MORNING BRIEFING Hardaway criticizes fans' lack of support BY THE NUMBERS Apparently the pain in Orlando Magic guard Penny Hard-awas body has moved from his call to his heart. recent rash of injuries against him in contract negotiations, "they could be in a lot of trouble." Teople that I have trusted, they have really turned on me now that I'm hurt," he said. "I don't know the reason why.

They don't really care about you. As long as you're making baskets, you're OK. But most of the people are only with you when you're up." The star guard blasted Magic fans, saying they have betrayed him now that he is injured and Union's Melton named co-player of week Union University's John Melton was named the TranSouth Conference Co-Player of the Week for March 23-29. The sophomore catcher and designated hitter from Ashland City was 8-of-17 for the week, including two doubles, two home runs, six RBIs and five runs scored. Melton is second in the conference in doubles and has a .365 average.

NCAA pays Tarkanian $2.5 million settlement Jerry Tarkanian's "terrible ordeal" with the NCAA is finally over, after 26 years of pain, anger and disappointment. The NCAA paid the Fresno State basketball coach $2.5 million Thursday to settle his lawsuit against the organization. Tarkanian and his wife, Lois, filed the suit in 1992, claiming the NCAA manufactured evidence against his UNLV basketball programs to try to run him out of coaching. Milwaukee 8, Atlanta 6 (1 1) San Francisco 9, Houston 2 Colorado 6, Arizona 4 NBA Indiana 11, Minnesota 108 New York 81, L.A. Clippers 70 L.A.

Lakers 117, New Jersey 106 Golden State 104, Houston 94 San Antonio 1 03, Miami 89 Seattle 107, Dallas 86 NBA, Page 2C AMERICAN LEAGUE Boston 6, Oakland 3 Minnesota 3, Toronto 2 Tampa Bay 7, Detroit 1 Baltimore 4, Kansas City 3 Texas 20, Chicago 4 Anaheim 10, New York 2 NATIONAL LEAGUE Chicago 8, Florida 7 Pittsburgh 4, Montreal 3 St. Louis 8, Los Angeles 5 (12) Cincinnati 5, San Diego 1 Philadelphia 6, New York 5 that they "don't understand the Hardaway significance of my game." Hardaway, a four-time NBA All-Star, has missed 55 of the Magic's 74 games this season because of knee and calf injuries. Jfardaway, who can become a free agent after next season, also warned that if the Magic use his i i ii it I.