News-Journal from Mansfield, Ohio • 25

Thursday, May 20, 1982 News Journal, Mansfield, O. 1 4IMONIONPUMNIIMPW Kison impressivc in Angels' 7-2 will, Marek never thought he would play for Buckeyes 4 40-tvo-o5 to. I 1 114' I 1--' i''', 6 3 ov I -4 'k- 'f 41, illt.17 if i pw i 11 ,,40 "To be thought of in the same breath as Cousineau and Gradishar is like a dream." Marcus Marek By Ed Zgonc News Journal sports editor COLUMBUS When Marcus Marek arrived on campus as a freshman almost three years ago, he had his doubts whether he could play football for Ohio State. "After two or three days, I was packed and ready to leave," admitted Marek, who prepped at Brookfield High School in Masury, Ohio, a town of 5,000 residents located between Youngstown and Warren. "I was scared when I first came down here, I didn't think I had a chance of ever playing.

"But I decided to stick around," he recalled, "and things just fell into place." In the team's first scrimmage in the fall of 1979, a couple experienced linebackers were injured, so Marek, a 6-foot-134, 220-pound inside linebacker, got a chance to play. Marek quickly moved up to the second unit in pre-season workouts. In the first regular-season game of '79 against Syracuse, starting linebacker Tony Megaro was sidelined with an injury. Marek replaced Megaro in the lineup and has started 35 straight games since that time. "I still remember my first play against Syracuse," said the 21-yearold Marek.

"1 just ran to the ball and made the tackle but I didn't know what I was doing. "I made a lot of mistakes but I still made a lot of tackles," he said with a smile. Marek has kept on making a lot of tackles for the Buckeyes. In fact, Marek now totals 394 career tackles, second on the all-time Ohio "I really don't think our pass defense was that bad. "We were usually in position, but it seemed like we just didn't come up with the big plays when we needed them," he said.

"All year it seemed like we were just inches away. "Against Minnesota, we'd tip a pass and they'd catch it," Marek added, "but against Michigan, we tipped a pass and we'd catch it." Ohio State tied Iowa for the Big Ten title last year, thanks to an upset win over Michigan in Ann Arbor in the last regular-season game. Marek likes Ohio State's chances for next year, especially on defense. The Bucks return eight defensive starters, graduating only both outside linebackers and the middle-guard. As far as his own future is concerned, Marek openly expresses confidence.

"I just want to do the best I can for Ohio State in my last year," he said, "and I want to get out to the West coast again and play in the Rose Bowl. I know we can do it." When pressed for an answer, Marek admitted his strength as a linebacker is "my quickness. I read the play real quick and I'm always around the ball," he said. "I've worked real hard on my pass drop and feel I've improved my pass defense a lot. The Associated Press Bruce Kison missed more than a year following following surgery on the ulnar and medial nerves in his right elbow and wrist, so he isn't about to gripe because a little thing like a pulled back muscle cost him a chance for a complete game and a shutout, "I could have gone out in the ninth and pitched, but it's no big deal," Ki son said after blanking Milwaukee on five hits for eight innings Wednesday night in the California Angels' 7-2 victory over the Brewers.

"We won, and I felt very comfortable out there, as comfort- able as I've felt at any time sinre coming back." In other American League action. the Chicago White Sox edged the Texas Rangers 6-5, the Detroit Tigers beat the Oakland As 6-3, the Boston Red Sox nipped the Seattle Mariners 6-5 in 12 innings, the New York Yankees shaded the Kansas City Royals 3-2, the Baltimore Orioles downed the Minnesota Twins 4- 2 and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Indians 8-5. Kison, a 32-year-old right-hander and 10-year major league veteran, last pitched a complete game May 3, 1980. His last shutout was April 23 of that year. Reggie Jackson backed Kison with a two-run homer, while Doug DeCinces hit a bases-empty shot White Sox 6, Rangers 5 Pinch runner Jerry Hairston scored from second base on an infield hit and an error by Texas seeond baseman Doug Flynn with two out in the ninth inning.

Tigers 6, A's 3 Enos Cabe 11's single drove in the go-ahead run in Detroit's four-run sixth inning and the Tigers went on to their seventh consecutive triumph. Red Sox 6, Mariners 5 Gary Allenson's double to deep center field following Dave Stapleton's two-out single drove home the winning run in the 12th inning against Bill Caudill. Ralph Garr finds slow pitch no easy feat t-Z01, MARCUS MAREK "I would like to improve my overall strength," he admitted. Marek has been favorably compared with past great Ohio State linebackers Randy Gradishar and Cousineau. "I feel strange being compared with somebody like Cousineau," he said.

"To be thought of in the same breath as Cousineau and Gradishar is like a dream." Although he's concentrating on his final collegiate season, Marek admits there's something else in the back of his mind. "I've always dreamed about playing professional football as a kid," said Marek. "I'd like to give it a shot. If I get the chance, I'll do my best." His idols ironically are not former Ohio State stars. In fact, he grew up admiring Pittsburgh Steeler Jack Lambert and Minnesota Viking Matt Blair.

"Linebacker will always be my favorite position," Marek said. "It's a lot more fun being the hitter instead of the hittee." Just ask anybody that runs into Marek this fall on the gridiron. "At first we thought he was playing because he likes to fool around a lot," said Garcia's brother, Gregorio, 30. "But he wasn't The impact of the batted softball had stopped Garcia's heart. His brothers, all members of the Dotson's Tire softball team, and his parents watched as rescue workers attempted to save him.

An ambulance took Garcia to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Sunday morning. "It was a hard line drive," said Gregorio, the second baseman. "I couldn't even see it. The only thing he said was, 'Please, don't touch me. I'm dizzy." "He had no time to react," added Ricardo Ramy, 60, the umpire.

After the funeral, his brothers said they would continue playing softball. Proposals rejected KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) Big Eight basketball coaches voted 5-3 Tuesday to reject a proposal calling for implementation of a three-point basket and a 30-second shot clock during the 1982-83 season. SPEEDWAY LI 1 Baschall rwittoi Yankees 'Itiy Now y.ot: Mi'Vt'n uiIIjr I-Itti iA A Craig Nettie, II. and Willie tlec bona tut, to At, t.te winning tr, Ortobis A-A inA Benny ter an 81 iii second inning, rq 1 homer, his fit Pete Fi'kon, sncond big In 010 In ttie lIttusten 1110 SI 1 tir New 'ttrttt 1: tt" burgh 2, I rtt Monti etti 1 Lttt1 ago 1 Ato.r,t,o, llout.tett to tt, ries fit-tie i 1, tinitt set( tt I Steve (arIjr In I ft, trot--; victoiy garnet; 4), et thtty imenged te 1,1,, 16, 19'78.

it thi Calcher 1 (.11 (II Inning scul j( bCat (i Dtql L'; 1-3 Pitimw, Rot1 Semi tt! itt-tetus 1 r'''xi-s I' ant dt eve in Co tt't tilt Ch.itubltst, totte1etl I defetit A. I 4 'aye (t 4 I)all for t'itthi te I jIr his 1980 to tetid 1 tt, go Cogirno Ttop Elp(11(1inc A 11; 6 Cy! $1-4. Tough Light ItalSO01 1 nylon cord und 1101 computer 1. 1.0131.--TvrF Ply latackwal. Flo.q I 75 It tE All wi rn 45 IA 110,11,, Mu i 44' V.1 0444004tett i4 t.

7 ktt, Who said it was easy to be a star in a slow pitch softball? It certainly wasn't Ralph Garr, the former National League batting champion who is in his first year as a member of Lima Steele's professional entry in the infant United Professional Softball League. Garr recently played his first game for Steele's and struck out three times swinging. This is the same guy who once feasted on the slants of Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan. He enjoyed most of his major league success with the Atlanta Braves, and later played with Chicago and California in the American League. Garr is paid $1,000 per weekend by Steele's, the company has revolutionized slow pitch in recent years with their balls and bats.

Garr, now 37, is scheduled to be in Lima's starting outfield in the team's home opener May 29. Expected to be one of Steele's major drawing cards this summer, Garr will not be the only big gun among Lima's starting 10. Also in this year's fold is fan favorite Mighty Joe Young and Eric Thornton. Young still holds the national home run record, while Thornton is the younger brother of Cleveland In Entry fee is $60 for the tournament and all trophies and umpiring are being donated. The tournament starts at 6:15 Friday night and will tentatively conclude midway through Sunday afternoon.

As it stands, the bracket will be a round-robin format and the and women's double-elimination. Comprising the bracket are Mug's Away, Bucyrus Merchants, Charlie's Tree Service, Fireside Restaurant, Pritchard's Insurance, Genesee and Cement Products. In the division there are Steele's Sohio, Upper Sandusky Country Rovers, North End Tavern, Local 750, Bucyrus Fire Department, Bucyrus VFW 1078, Bucyrus Bucyrus UR, The Huddle, Outwaite's, Caledonia J.G. Clark and LEderer's Body Shop. Softball death With his parents and five brothers watching, an 18-year-old pitcher was killed during a softball game over the weekend in Miami (Fla.) when he stopped a hard line-drive with his chest.

Lazar Garcia sat down, opened his arms and the softball rolled slowly off his chest. He lay face up on the mound, motionless. RIVERSIDE State charts. He trails only Tom Cousineau, who recently signed a lucrative pact to play for the Cleveland Browns. A broken thumb forced Marek, who will make a guest appearance in Lexington at 7 p.m.

Friday to help open the 1982 Lexington Little League season, to miss most of the just-completed spring football drills at Ohio State. "It (the broken thumb) happened on the third day of spring practice," related Marek, who carries a 3.00 grade-point average in natural resources. "I attended every session in pads and went through all the drills without contact." Marek, an All-Big Ten selection and an academic All-American, spent a lot of time observing his fellow Buckeye defenders, and liked what he saw. "I'm very optimistic about our defense," he stressed. "The defense moved to the ball real well in the spring and the hitting level was up." Ohio State's defense especially the pass defense was criticized by even the stoutest of Buckeye fans last year.

After all, Ohio State permitted more passing yards than any Division I school in the country. 'I like to think that teams passed against us a lot because they couldn't run against us," felt Marek. dians' designated hitter Andre Thornton. Bucyrus ready Gino Gregory informs us his challenge tournament is ready to go for the weekend, but he could still use several teams in the men's Class bracket. He has filled the 12-team field and needs one more women's team to make it an even dozen in that area.

Right now, he only has seven squads and is admittedly a little disappointed in the response he got from Mansfield teams. "The tournament's for a good cause and as much as our teams come over to Mansfield to play we expected a little of the same in return," he said. The tournament, which will be under a marathon format, is to benefit 4-year-old Brandy Lynn Buckner, who is undergoing weekly leukemia treatments in Columbus. Her parents are Walter and Bev Buckner, 530 Fa ilor Bucyrus. run homer by Dave Kingman his 13th of the season in the first inning.

The only bright spot for the ex-Met hurler was the fact that he struck out a season-high four batters. Seaver, not despondent over his poor start, said, "I still feel fine. I made a mistake on Kingman and he did what he should have done hit it out of the park. "I have some theories on what I was doing wrong. The positive thing is that I got 14 out of 15 batters (a walk was involved) without a hit." Zachry, 3-1, allowed two solo home runs to Dan Dreissen while walking one and striking out three.

Wally Backman opened the Mets' first with a single and moved to third on a single by Stearns. When center fielder Cesar Cedeno tried to nail Backman at third, his throw was low and Stearns continued to second. One out later, Kingman slammed a 400-foot homer over the center field fence. Kingman, who leads the major leagues in homers, now has 304 lifetime and 115 as a Met, one shy of the team's all-time mark held by Ed Kranepool. Driessen's homer in the second inning, his fourth of the season, cut the Mets' lead to 3-1.

He belted his second homer with one out in the ninth. The Mets rallied with two outs in the bottom of the second. Stearns walked and George Foster followed with a run-scoring double to to make it 4-1. Steve Eighinger 4 I 1 I rt. i CAR 14 I LIE A liy rit; A mewl r.

L. .7. 1 ahwirogfrl, eit 04 I 2 rt7F1 milli. 1 Er 44 111 1 0 1 nen 12:: 14 14; ri 0 1 4-1 ill 13. ir -4 tlt- To 4, 13 Dfil) li I ra fr'' 1 I 1 .1 -1," A 4 1 cAR HEA Pre ma ustitpu Corn micro ra cAc: Zachry pitches Mets past Reds Most Cars Except Chevettes, Compacts Imports With Front-Wheel Drive amIllot MacPherson Suspensi(mi.

McCutchenville, Ohio Formerly Mid-America Speedway 10 Miles South Of Tiffin, Off Rt. 53 FRIDAY, MAY 21st Sprints $700 To Win 8-Cylinder Stock s200 To win Street Stock $100 To Win Gates Open 5 P.M., Race Time 8 P.M. RACING EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT Flea Market and Gun Show, May 22nd 23rd DEMOLITION DERBY COMING JUNE 26 Track (419) 981-2652 Home (216) 434-8785 IMPORT CAR FRONT DISC BRAKE SERVICE S. 8 Single Piston System. Includes rebuilding calipers.

ingIe Yiston 3ysiern. ncludes rebuilding calipers. wii II lommommommorwatmormimmottinuotoyerpor Lease A 1982 LYNX front-wheel drive NEW YORK (AP) New York Mets Manager George Bamberger sent Pat Zachry to the bullpen to teach him a lesson. It appears that he learned pretty well, if Wednesday night's results are any indication. Back from his stint as a reliever, Zachry started a game for the first time since May 1 and pitched the Mets to a 4-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

"I deserved to go there because I was pitching rotten," Zachry said. "I had time to get things together. I was rushing too much. The adrenal-in would be flowing and I just wanted to grab the ball and throw it. "In the bullpen I learned to slow things down and tonight, the key was my control.

Frankly, I was surprised I went the distance. Cincinnati helped me by swinging at a lot of first pitches. I wasn't overpowering. All I did was watch John's (Stearns, the catcher) signals and throw what he wanted." To which Stearns added, "If Pat throws strikes, he can be very effective. This has to be a big boost for himself and the team." It was the first time Zachry went the distance since defeating Philadelphia 3-1 last May 27.

Tom Seaver, traded to the Reds almost five years ago in a five-player deal that brought Zachry to New York, meanwhile suffered his fifth defeat in six decisions. He lasted six innings, and was racked for a three 9 i s. $1, i 1 1 1 s14 dr111111 nth mths Months Deluxe Champion polyester cord Quality, dependability and Smooth ride make the bias-ply Deluxe Champion our best selling tire Sica Eftredey ilillickwal8 Price 478 13. S30 Si 59 78-14 36 201 40 2 12 GrES 14 42 2 25 678-15 43 235 H815 45 17815 46 279 5-88 head Met sizos too FREE. FREE.

It PMeornth 24.24,000 miles Scheduled Maintenance 24.24,000 miles a Warranty Tirestorac 90 DAYS SAME AS CASH terr Morts F.toro fiwtors Ur. OF or. A 1 'ISA 0 tNYSUNPtV 4 LINCOLN MERC WHITEY IN 1 4 3 t.isa 0 EP CHRYSLER MY LINCOLN MERC NON Open Daily 7:30 6 1430 Pork Avi Sat. 8-3. Closed Sun.

529.53 i I 1430 Pork Ave r- 1:,.