Austin American-Statesman from Austin, Texas • 36

Sports Austin American-Statesman C2 -Sunday, April 23, 2000 Scorpions oinidl IBsts' sesison Stars guaranteed to face a hot team next with series-cIlDDiicBiiDDig vidtoiry if II I rrA Pierce gains final by stopping Seles Top-seeded Mary Pierce added vto.her impressive run through the Family Circle Cup, beating No. 3 Monica Seles 6-1, 6-1 Saturday at Hilton Head Island, S.C. Pierce, 1 who has not dropped a set and has only 11 games all week, will face former champion Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in today's title match. It Seles was overwhelmed by Pierce, who led 4-0 within 10 Pierce also reeled off eight of jthe last nine games and won her two service games, losing only one point. Sanchez-Vicar io, the fourth tseed, won her seventh straight match over her Spanish country- 1 woman, Conchita Martinez, 7-5, 33 KiM AfW -4 Sung ParkAA-S Austin's Jayme Adduono, left, battles Mike McKay and Derek Crawford of New Mexico in the first period Saturday.

By Jennifer Floyd Fort Worth Star-Telegram The Dallas Stars' yearly dispatching of the Edmonton Oilers has been handled. Show them what they won, Commissioner Gary Bettman Well, for our defending Stanley Cup champions, we have a second-round series against either the Colorado Avalanche or the San Jose Sharks. Both teams are playing especially well right now, and both won the season series against the Stars. "This is very interesting," Stars Coach Ken Hitchcock said Saturday. "This could be the first time in a long time we'll be the underdog in a playoff series." The last time he could remember was when the stars faced Detroit in 1998.

And that didn't turn out too well for the Stars. The Stars could find out as early as today which team they'll face in the second round of the playoffs. If San Jose beats visiting St. Louis in game six today, the Stars would play the Sharks. If the Blues come back to win games six and seven, the Stars would play the Avalanche.

Nobody will ever say it, but the Stars would much rather play the Sharks. While San Jose wouldTve been a difficult first-round opponent, the Sharks would be just what the doctor ordered for the second round. Instead of having to play the red-hot Avalanche, the Stars would play a Sharks team that already has been extended by the Blues. The Avs and Detroit Red Wings are then forced to slug it out in the other semifinal series. Still, the Stars are sticking to the company line when asked if they care who they play.

"Not really," Stars captain Derian Hatcher said. "I said one time I cared and we lost." If the Blues are eliminated by the Sharks, the Stars become the highest seed left in the West. They would play the lowest seed left in the West. Hitchcock said Saturday that defenseman Sergei Zubov, who hasn't played since March 29, should be ready for the first game of the second round. Winger Jere Lehtinen, meanwhile, is going slowly on his tender right ankle that caused him to miss all but 17 regular-season games.

Neither Zubov nor Lehtinen played in the first round. The Stars didn't miss a beat. "Well, I think you're not going to be able to go through the playoffs without adversity," Hitchcock said. "Our residue from the season gave us the ability to per severe. We weren't overwhelmed when this happened." LEAFS 2, SENATORS 1: Steve Thomas scored twice, including the game-winner 14 minutes, 47 seconds into overtime Saturday night, to lead the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Thomas, who tied it with only 4:30 left in the third period, put the Leafs ahead 3-2 in the best-of-seven first-round playoff series. With a win at Ottawa on Monday, Toronto can advance, to a second-round meeting with the New Jersey Devils. If necessary, game seven would be Tuesday night back at Toronto. The home team has won all five games in the series. Ottawa, which lost its 10th straight road playoff game, finished with 38 shots compared to 31 for Toronto.

The Bats rebounded in just 1:30 when Dan Price named WPHL rookie of the year took advantage of Caravaggio being out of the crease. Price was waiting at the top of the circle for lineman Jeff Greenlaw's pass and got his fourth playoff goal. Price tied with teammates Jim Shepherd and David Brosseau for most Austin goals in the playoffs. The Bats' power-play line capitalized on an elbowing penalty on the Scorpion's Jason Glover to slide the puck under Caravaggio's legs at take the lead, 2-1. Defense-man David Moore shot from the blue line, and Kelly Smart picked up the puck in the slot for the power-play goal.

Just 1:49 later, the Scorpions re-tied it when the Todd Marcellus surged up the wing. McMullen succumbed to the speed of the Scorpions' playoff scoring leader (18 points) to end the second period 2-2. Scorpions Coach Tony Martino gave Austin credit. "It was a hard-fought series," he said. "Austin played gritty hockey.

They never gave up. I give their By Lisa Lynam American-Statesman Correspondent The Austin Ice Bats fought hard to keep their chances alive for the Western Professional Hockey League President's Cup on Saturday night at the Travis County Exposition Center against the New Mexico Scorpions. But a short-handed goal with nine minutes left in the third period, and an empty-netter with 35 seconds remaining, ended Austin's playoff NEW MEXICO 4 AUSTIN 2 New Mexico wins best-of-seven series 4-1 dreams with a 4-2 loss. New Mexico took the best-of-seven series 4-1 with its third straight win. The Scorpions will face the defending WPHL champions, the Shreveport Mudbugs, in a best-of-seven series beginning Friday in Albuquerque, N.M.

"We've come a long way this season," Austin's Brent Hughes said after coaching in his first playoffs. "We played hard; they were tough. Our guys have nothing to hang their heads about, that's for sure." Hughes, emotional about the season's end, said, "Your heart just sinks to see it's over for sure. It will probably take a couple days for it to settle in that it's over. The games were so close.

They could have gone either way." In a do-or-die game, Bryan McMullen kept the Bats in it with, superb goaltending. But New Mexico increased its firepower to outshoot Austin for the first time in the series, 39-28. For the third time in the series, the Scorpions and Bats left the crowd of 4,802 at the Bat Cave in suspense as they entered the third period tied 2-2. With 9:23 remaining, the Scorpions' ToddMarcellus defied Austin's defense to score a shorthanded goal with one hand. It was his second goal of the game and the Scorpions' second short-handed goal of the series.

The Scorpions took the lead for the second time on Marcellus' game-winner. The first four goals came in the first period 'with New Mexico starting the scoring. At 8:06 on a two-on-one rush, New Mexico's Nick Forbes set up Randy Murphy for his ninth playoff goal the league playoff high. f'Fittin ecco Cosmo 2000lxt Sonly 7(Vf 0 'lXZ, white While They 3 I Sizes 41 CtxjnacSmoofi 15: JiSt vm" JtBn -fa- I'm. A Deluxe Enamel Compels eiteriw.

Any original colw oar ename) fttlstt. 1 yt ar written guwanus pro-rata; aputtl crKtoiq 1 ''iH'VIHI'IH'm1 1 1 MAJOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL Chicago Cubs at New York Mets Noon WGN Pittsburgh Pirates at Atlanta Braves 12:05 p.m. TBS San Diego Padres at Houston Astros 2 p.m. FOXSN Baltimore Onoles at Oakland Athletics 7 p.m. ESPN NBA PLAYOFFS Toronto Raptors at New Vbrk Knicks 11:30 a.m.

KXAN Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Trail Blazers 2 p.m. KXAN Sacramento Kings at Los Angeles Lakers 4:30 p.m. KXAN Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers 7:30 p.m. TNT AUTO RACING FIA Formula One British Grand Prix 10 a.m. FOXSN Nashville Twin 125 Super Trucks 3 p.m.

TNN Toyota Atlantic Series 3:30 p.m. ESPN2 Poly-Finish year written guarantee (pro-rated) against cracking ntf peeling. Ccmplols eifcirior, Smjls v.y HI' Former Texas Longhorn Scott Stewart won the USTA 30 hardcourt national championship in Tucson, defeating Joey Blake of San Antonio 6-0, 7-6 (7-5) in the final. Cedric Pioline overwhelmed Karim Alami 6-3, 6-1 and will play Dominik Hrbaty today for the championship of the Monte Carlo Open in Monaco. Hrbaty defeated Gaston Gaudio 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

College basketball The NCAA granted Ohio State center Ken Johnson an additional year of eligibility, allowing the nation's leading shot blocker to return for a fourth season. Johnson was named the Big Ten defensive player of the year this past season when he averaged 5.37 blocks a game. Horse racing Louisiana Derby winner Mighty will not run in the Kentucky Derby because of a minor leg injury. Trainer Frank Brothers said the colt has a minor strain of the carpal tunnel behind the knee on his right front leg. The injury is the equine equivalent of carpal tunnel in the wrist of humans.

Soccer The Austin Lone Stars lost 2-0 to the Texas Rattlers in their opening Lamar Hunt Open Cup match in Dallas. The World Cup qualifying game between Kenya and Malawi was stopped with several minutes remaining when fans threw bottles and stones onto the field and ripped out seats at Moi International Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya. Manchester United clinched its sixth English Premier League title in eight years, winning 3-2 at Southampton. David Beckham, Francis Benal and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in the first 30 minutes for Manchester United. The San Jose Earthquakes (2-2-1) got two goals apiece from Ronald Cerritos and Abdul Thompson Conteh to defeat the visiting Dallas Burn (3-3) 5-0 in their Major League Soccer match.

College football The Oahu Bowl and Aloha Bowl games, played on Christmas Day the last two seasons, will be played on separate days in December. The Oahu Bowl will be played on Christmas Eve, and the Aloha Bowl on Christmas Day. Diving Mark Ruiz warmed up for the Olympic trials by winning his second and third titles of the U.S. National Indoor Diving Championships at Minneapolis. Ruiz hedged David Pichler in the 10-; meter platform then teamed with him to win the platform synchro-; nized championship.

Running Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan pulled away from London Marathon champion Tegla Loroupeand won a 5-mile road race at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. whose best of 24 minutes, 27 seconds, in Ireland last year wasn't recognized as a world's best because it was on a downhill course, finished in 24:50. Compiled from staff and wire reports Pclvctystsline Supreme Yean Written Guarantee coaching staff credit. I know my guys are tired. They gave us a battle." Shreveport ousts Central Texas BELTON Jason Campbell had a hat trick, including a pair of short-handed 17 seconds apart in the final minute of the second period, to lead the Shreveport Mudbugs to a series-clinching 4-2 victory over the Central Texas Stampede in game five of the WPHL's Eastern Conference finals Saturday.

The defending WPHL champion Mudbugs advance to the President's Cup Finals, where they will face New Mexico. The Stampede had led 2-0 and were on a power play in the second period when Campbell scored his two quick goals to knot the score. Tony Borgin scored game-winner early in third period. Campbell sealed the victory with an empty-net goal late in the third. The Mudbugs and Scorpions are both owned by Albuquerque chiropractor Michael Plaman.

Greg Rajan, AA-S correspondent M09 95 List 175 (pro-rated) against List a 57.00 Enwonmental Fee. Some Vehicies Paay Reauire Erta Wortt AddrBonal Qiavge 4749 Ben White 442-8999 PHILIPS INVITATIONAL Honoring! Harwy Ponick I L3 24901 I 11 41 if iiiMlilillMMlllMlllllllini-T-T Petllng ami Cracking, Complete Eiietlor Thunder Silver Crown NHL PLAYOFFS St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks GOLF Greater Greensboro Classic, final round Las Vegas Classic, final round RODEO Championship Bull Riding SOCCER English Premier League: Teams to be announced TENNIS Monte Carlo Open, final (same-day tape) 0rifW1 Vans, Pick-Ups and Station Wagons Slightfy Higliec. 'Rkk ftices do in) Irdule 9234 Burnet Rd. 832-1722 50 i Family Circle Cup, final TRACK AND Ironman Flonda .1, MAJOR-LEAGUE San Diego Padres at Houston Astros 2:05 p.m.

KFON-AM (1490) Minnesota Twins at Texas Rangers 2:05 p.m. KJCE-AM (1370) TEXAS LEAGUE Midland RockHounds at Round Rock Express 2:05 p.m. KAHK-FM (107.7) 9:30 p.m. ESPN2 2 p.m. KVUE 2p.mi KEYE 4:30 p.m.

ESPN 8 p.m. TNN 5 p.m. FOXSN 2:30 p.m. ESPN 3 p.m. KTBC FIELD 12:30 p.m.

ESPN BASEBALL sj-v BASEBALL ,,4 1 p.m. KVET-AM (1300) noon. simulcasting beginning at noon. COLLEGE Baylor at Texas I TEXAS LEAGUE Midland RockHounds at Round Rock Express, 2:05 p.m. COLLEGE BASEBALL Baylor at Texas, 1 p.m.

Texas Lutheran at St. Edward's, noon COLLEGE TENNIS Women: Kansas at Texas, noon COLLEGE GOLF Women: Texas at Big 12 Championships, Lubbock, all day COLLEGE DIVING Texas at U.S. Nationals, Minneapolis, all day zl horse racing The LPGA is coming.to Austin. Manor Downs, simulcasting beginning at Retama Park, Selma, live racing 5 p.m., May 1-7 Onion Creek Club For sponsorships call 280.4077 Tickets at UTTM outlets 477.6060 Children 16 under are free www.philips-invitational.com Mark McGwire has smashed his fair share of home runs, but he holds a monopoly on homers by a "McGwire," since no others with that last name have ever homered in the major leagues. Players with what surname have hit the most collective homers in the major leagues? Answer on Scoreboard, C12 LPGA 'Qualify before 429 for the Million Hole In One Contest Ml the Jimmy dayRay Kizer driving range and at At Golfsmith 135 driving range.

To visit the Longhorn home page on the world Wide Web: httpyAvww.hookem.com To visit high school sports on the internet httpywww.HomeTearri360.com. i.