The Indianapolis News from Indianapolis, Indiana • 88

F-8 THE INDIANAPOLIS NEWS Sports Friday, May 22, 1992 SPORTS TALK Smith, Purvis set sights on College World Series Gordon captures Grand National pole CONCORD, N.C. Jeff Goi-don of Pittsboro won the pole Thursday for Saturday's Grand National race. He drove his Ford to an event-record 170.638 mph, easily beating Jack Sprague, who clocked in at 169.924 mph in a Chevrolet. Gordon, who recently signed a deal to drive Chevrolets on the top NASCAR circuit next year for owner Rick Hendrick, said winning the pole boosted team morale. "For all the guys to come out here and really put 100 percent into the car and for me to put 100 percent into the driving really means a lot," he said.

Gordon's lap was more than 2 mph faster than the old event record of 168.219 mph set two years ago by Dick Trickle. Vl By TOM RIETMANN The Indianapolis News They've circled Friday, May 29, on their calendars. That's opening day in the College World Series. John Smith and Brian Purvis want to be there as active participants, not passive observers. For both Smith and Purvis, who formerly starred at high schools in the Indianapolis area, it will be the last chance at collegiate baseball's premier event.

"One of your dreams in this game is the World Series," said Smith, a former North Central standout who's now a senior for the No. 1 -ranked Miami Hurricanes. Purvis agreed. "We've had a good year, but it won't be complete if we don't make it to the Series," said the former Noblesville star, who is a senior starter for the Florida Gators. Smith and Purvis, both outfielders, will likely play a major role if either of their respective teams advance through this week's regional action.

Miami plays host to the Atlantic Regional starting tonight. Florida, too. is a host and began action Thursday night, beating Rider 6-1 in the East Regional at Gainesville. Smith, with four hits in his last 30 at-bats, is coming out of a slump in the nick of time. "I'm making good contact, but just not finding the gaps," said Smith, who is still hitting .315 with eight home runs, 47 "But we as a team want to get there as badly as he does.

I want to do this for myself, too." As for Purvis, he knows firsthand the excitement generated by the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. His Florida team finished third there last year, losing to eventual champion Lou-siana State. This time, Purvis personally wants to make sure the Gators, 44-18, don't fall short. "I'm a guy who, if I play up to my ability, can have a big impact on a game," said Purvis, a right fielder with a strong throwing arm. "If I just go out there and go through the motions, I can be a non-factor.

I sometimes have a problem with playing flat." That hasn't happened often this season. Purvis is hitting .304 in 59 games with five homers, 43 RBI and a team-leading 14 doubles. Normally batting in the three, four or five spot, he has won five games with ninth-inning hits over the past two seasons. "That kind of situation is what you play for, and what I enjoy most," said Purvis, who transferred to Florida after two years at Oklahoma State. Purvis, whose father (Mike) was a pitcher in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system, anticipates moving right into pro baseball following the NCAA tournament.

He was picked in the 32nd round after his senior season at Noblesville, but hopes to go higher in this year's June draft. OA 1 1 FSU strikes out in opener John Smith Brian Purvis RBI and a team-leading 18 doubles. His career on-base percentage is .435. The Hurricanes, 49-7 and an early favorite for the national title, rely heavily on Smith's speed both offensively and defensively. He has 24 stolen bases and covers extensive territory in center field.

That speed also could help him make the U.S. Olympic team, coached by Miami's Ron Fraser, who will retire from all coaching following the Games in Barcelona. Smith will attend the Olympic training camp in Tennessee, with an eye on one of the team's final 20 positions. Sending Fraser into the Olympics and then retirement with a College World Series title would be sweet. Smith said.

"And it would look good." said Smith, who has spent two years under Fraser since transferring from Wabash Valley Community College in Illinois. and Louisiana it was host 15. California fi- 4. it was UCLA 3 In 13 Nlcholls State 0 be South Caro lina (40-20) vs. State (45-16) vs.

Atlantic Regional Beach State (38-21). Texas (31-20), and (38-13), in Texas: Cal State (32-22). (40-19), and Washington Wichita, State (37-18), (37-20), (37-19). in In the East, for Texas and runs in the Cal starter Mike innings. Texas Williams and eight at-bats with four with a runs with a In the Mideast, yielded four hits State nipped Mike Steele.

Honorees include Foyt, Mittman Five people, including four-time 500-Mile Race winner A.J. Foyt and News sportswriter Dick Mittman, were honored Thursday with presentations of the first Jules Goux awards for service to the sport of auto racing. The awards were presented by Frenchman Emmanuel Lupe, owner of the Formula Project 500 team, the first French Indy effort in 51 years. Others cited were Bob Jenkins, ESPN-Cable racing commentator and head of the speedway radio network: Chris Economaki, publisher and columnist for National Speed Sport News and CBS-TV racing commentator; Ron Mcgueeney, head of the speedway photo department: and Dick and Diane Simon, who have four drivers in this year's race. Ruttman wins Clark Award Troy Ruttman, the 1952 winner of the 500-Mile Race, was presented the Jim Clark Award at the Columbia Club.

The annual award is given to a racing personality who best exemplifies the late Scotsman, who won the 500 and the world championship. Ruttman was only 22 when he rolled into Victory Lane. He is the youngest winner ever. Kroger sponsors the Clark award program. In golf Davis Love III and Billy Mayfair completed five-under-par 65s.

the day's best scores, before thunderstorms halted first-round play at the Colonial. Colleen Walker had eight birdies to tie the course record and take a two-shot lead at the LPGA Coming (N.Y.) Classic. Elsewhere Kyle Wieneke of Indiana fired a 73. leaving him five strokes off the pace after the first round of the NCAA Central Regional golf tournament in McKinney, Texas. Bill Miller of the Hoosiers shot a 74.

1.U. is tied for fourth place. Ken Wendling, who coached South Decatur High School to the 1990 Class A football championship, resigned as varsity football and baseball coach. He will remain at South Decatur as teacher and athletic director. New Mexico signed men's basketball coach Dave Bliss, a former I.U.

assistant, to a three-year contract. J. P. Brens scored 31 points today as Butler's basketball team battered the Tomworth Thunderbolts 103-56 and captured its third straight victory on an Australian tour. Danny Allen had 23 points for the Bulldogs, including five three-pointers, and Dave Ryser added 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench.

Charlie Scott, a former NBA player and North Carolina standout, pleaded guilty in Atlanta to one count of bankruptcy fraud. Scott, 43, is scheduled to be sentenced July 31. Tish Johnson beat Leanne Barrette 221-190 in the final to win the LPBT Michigan Ladies Classic. Kentucky Derby winner Lil E. Tee won't be running in the Belmont Stakes because of a lung infection.

Jimmy Connors today drew Wimbledon champion Michael Stich in the first round of the French Open. Sports birthday TOMMY JOHN (49) Ex-major league pitcher From Staff and Wire Reports The Associated Press Unranked Western Carolina surprised Florida State on the Seminoles' field in the opening round of regionals In the NCAA baseball tournament. Philip Grundy yielded three hits in eight innings Thursday night as Western Carolina won 1-0 in the NCAA South II Regional. The score was surprising because both are normally high-scoring teams. The Catamounts needed a pair of errors to score the only run needed by Grundy (9-4).

They scored in the seventh when Rod Hennon singled, advanced on a sacrifice and scored on two fielding errors. In other games at Tallahassee. Bill Underwood limited Georgia to six hits as Kent State beat Georgia 5-2. and the regional's top-seeded team, Stanford, beat Stetson 2-1 in 12 innings when Jeffrey Hammonds doubled and scored on Steve Solomon's single. At the South I Regional in Baton Rouge, it was Cal State-Fullerton 3.

Ohio State 2: Tulane 4. Notre Dame (45-13). North Carolina vs. Delaware (38-12), and Miami (49-7) Maryland-Baltimore County (37-11) in the at Coral Gables. Long (34-19-1) vs.

Southwestern Louisiana (42-14) vs. Virginia Commonwealth Creighton (40-17-1) vs. Texas-Arlington the Central Regional at Austin, State-Northridge (37-14-1) vs. Arizona Oklahoma State (46-14) vs. Minnesota Wichita State (52-9) vs.

George (26-24) in the Midwest Regional at and Pepperdine (40-10-1) vs. Fresno Hawaii (45-12) vs. Southeastern Louisiana and Arizona (34-21-1) vs. Washington the West Regional at Tucson. Ariz.

Travis Williams drove in four runs which set season highs for hits 15-6 victory. The Aggies bombed Cather for nine runs In 2 final two batters In the lineup, Tim Holt, combined for five hits in seven RBI. Williams was three of two-run homer, and Holt drove in three bases-loaded B.J. Wallace struck out 19 and in 11 innings night as Mississippi Nicholls State and hard-luck loser South Alabama 2 In 12 innings: State 8. Providence 1.

In the East at Gainesville. Florida 6. Rider 1: Texas and Georgia Tech 5, George Mason At the Mideast in Starkville. Clemson 8. Yale 4: Oklahoma 4.

innings: and Mississippi State 1. in II innings. In opening games today, ft will.