The Daily Oklahoman from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma • 122

Baseball Tri-City Pitcher Changes Attitude rtnitih outinus with no decision. "I cave up a couple of hits and a couple of runs early and got down on myself." Neuent said. "I'm try inn to get over that stuff. I've got to Ko out there and try to feel good about myself even if I'm getting hit a little. Maybe I expect too much.

The team doesn't expect me to throw a no-hitter every time, but if they get a lead when I'm pitching they expect to keep it." Legion Notes: Neugent's Tri-City teammate. Tony Rodgers. earned MVP honors at the Stillwater tournament by going 7-fbr-ll (.636) with four RBI in four games. Justin Evans was 7 for-9 (.778) with two homers and four RBI. Included in Tri-City's four tournament victories was a 10-2 win over Ta-loga right hander Brad Gore, an All-Stater drafted by Baltimore Midwest City's Cale Gundy hit three homers to help Post 170 win the South Plains Invitational title at Midwest City High School's field.

Gundy, who leads metro-area Majors players with nine homers, had two homers and six RBI in a 13-0 victory over Mannsfield, Texas. The standout infielderpitcher added a homer and four RBI in an 11-2 win over the Dallas Bluejays Moore's Majors team won the Norman Fourth of July tournament. Right-hander Kevin Ryan fanned 12 batters in a 4-3 victory over Norman in the title game, and Mike Rogers led Moore hitters with seven RBI in five games. Chuck Melton had a grand slam in the second round against Norman's Triple-A team Norman's Majors team has stolen 107 bases in 32 games. Bobby Simmons leads the way with 19 steals.

By Mike Shermnn StnfT Writer A subtle attitude adjustment has produced striking results this summer for Jim Neugent. The left-handed pitcher had a standout Junior season at Mustang High School and is 4-0 with three no-hitters for Tri-City's American Legion Majors baseball team. He's allowed just 10 hits in 36 innings while posting a 1.36 earned run average. "I'm still going with basically the same pitches, but now I know I have to work at being a pitcher," said Neugent, a first-team Big All-City selection at Mustang. "During the spring I didn't ice down my arm after games, I didn't stretch out my arm and it cost me." Late-season arm trouble spoiled an otherwise stellar spring season.

After dropping his only decision to Yukon in regional play, Neugent finished 8-1 with a 1.39 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 57 innings. This summer, the 6-0, 170-pounder has 52 strikeouts. "I think he's just now starting to realize what kind of potential he has," said Tri-City coach Melvin Cutter. Neugent, son of Del City track coach Jim Neugent, tossed his third no-hitter to beat Guthrie 1-0 in the finals of the Stillwater tournament. He tossed five-inning no-hitters last month against Fort Smith, and Del City.

But he's also escaped from two OSU baseball players Brad Beanblossom, left, and Jeromy Burnitz, right, are busy playing for Team USA this summer. On the Road With Team USA Cowboys9 Burnitz Swinging Sizzling Bat for Team USA Career in Pros Still on Coll For Beanblossom American Legion Statistics Jeremy Burnitz Brad Beanblossom Team Midwest City Tri-City .758 .760 .743 .719 .700 Reynolds By Mike Baldwin Staff Writer Batting Average TULSA Brad Beanblossom has a bright future. Beanblossom, a 4.0 Doubles Tony Rodgers, Tri-City, 11; Mike Chiles, Tri-City, Justin Evans, Tri-City, Craig Michaelson, Moore, Matt Russ, Moore, Kevin Ryan, Moore, Tony Stubbs, Moore, 5. Triples Tony Rodgers, Trl-Clty, 3. Stolen Bases Bobby Simmons, Norman, 19; Chad Isenberg, Norman, 17; Donnie Shelby, Midwest City, 15; Darren Wolly, Norman, 14; Jeff Robertson, Norman, 11; Jeff Ball, 20.

Pitching Winning Percentage Player, Team Pet Jim Neugent, Tri-City 4-0 1.000 Kevin Ryan, Moore 4-0 1.000 Steve Eden, Midwest City 3-0 1.000 Gary Haught, Midwest City 3-0 1.000 Terry Hawk, Tri-City 3-0 1.000 Mike Nonon, Midwest City 5-1 .833 Lee Garde, Moore 4-1 .800 Matt MacArthur, Tri-City 6-2 .750 Earned Run Average Player, Team IP ERA Gary Hausht, Midwest City 24.0 20 0.85 Chad Trahan, Norman 23 0.92 Jim Neugent, 36.0 10 1.36 Mike Norton, Midwest City. 42.0 18 Kevin Ryan, Moore 22.2 19 1.55 Jelf Ball, Norman 36.1 30 1.74 Jobie James, Moore 53.0 46 1.85 Mark Berglan, 46 2.05 Steve Eden, Midwest .......28.2 23 2.19 Strikeouts Chad Trahan, Norman, 53; Jim Neugent, Tri-City, 52; Taylor Wyand, Midwest City, 39; Monte Rum-sey, Moore, 37; Matt MacArthur, Trl-Clty, 34; Kevin Ryan, Moore, 34; Mike Norton, Midwest City, 33; Steve Eden, Midwest City, 32; Jobie James, Moore, 29. Player, Team AB Avg Mike Chiles, Tri-City 73 33 .452 Cale Gundy. Midwest City 85 37 .435 Tony Rodgers, Trl-Clty 75 32 .427 Lee Garde, Moore 57 21 .368 Eugene Myers, Midwest City 66 24 .364 Xavler Jaurez, Moore 46 16 .348 Brady Cantrell, Midwest City 59 20 .339 Chad Strickland, Midwest City 109 37 .339 Terry Hawk, Tri-City 76 25 .338 Julio Sanchez, Norman 73 24 .329 Mike Hurst, Midwest City 89 29 .325 Mark Berglan, Norman 59 19 .322 Tony Stubbs. Moore 4ns, Norman 79 25 .316 Dale Glmenez, Midwest City 80 25 .312 Craig Michaelson, Moore 90 28 .31 1 Kevin Ryan, Moore 58 18 .310 Jeff Robertson, Norman 68 21 .309 Home Runs Cale Gundy, Midwest City, Chad Strickland, Midwest City, Mike Chiles, Tri-Cltv, Justin Evans, Tri-City, 4.

Runs Batted In Tony Rodgers, Trl-Clty, 26; Mike Chiles, Tri-City, 24; Jeff Robertson, Norman, 23; Julio Sanchez, Norman, 20; Chad Trahan, Norman, 19; Mark Berglan, Norman, 16; Mike Rogers, Moore, 16; Tony Stubbs, Moore, 14. Runs Scored Mike Chiles, Trl-Clty, 28; Terry Hawk, Tri-City, 23; Craig Michaelson, Moore, 23; Tony Rodgers, Tri-City, 22; Bobby Simmons, Norman, 21; Chad Trahan, Norman, 20; Jeff Ball, Norman, 20. year because they platooned me. I can't explain why I didn't hit as well, but I was coming on towards the end of the season and I've been swinging well here. I think I've got it going again." His top priority is to help OSU return to the College World Series next year.

"I've been there two years, and we haven't made it once," Burnitz said. "Personal goals come second. I'm looking for a good summer with this team and a much better season next year at OSU. Last year was a big disappointment for the team and me personally." In a day when many highly touted players want to play any position but catcher, Burnitz is hoping to wear the tools of ignorance next year. "It's everybody's dream to play in the major leagues, and I think catching is a position that will get me the farthest," Burnitz said.

"I'm not worried what round I get drafted. That all takes care of itself, but yeah, I'd really like to catch next year. I think coach (Gary) Ward is going to play me there again in the fall like he did last year." "Once I got the invitation to try out I got real excited," Burnitz said. "This is a great opportunity. If I didn't get picked I was going to go to the Cape Cod League, but it turned out great.

Everywhere we've gone we've been treated very nice and had good crowds pulling for us. It's a good feeling to represent your country." By Mike Baldwin Staff Writer TULSA Every other pitch thrown by assistant coach Tom De-din missed badly. Jeromy Burnitz quickly became frustrated. After all, what use is batting practice if you don't get to swing the bat? Burnitz' time in the cage Thursday night at Tulsa County Stadium, where Team USA was preparing to take on Chinese Taipei, was a perfect example why Oklahoma State University's junior outfielder has become one of the nation's top collegiate hitters. "I've always been like that.

Sometimes it comes across as a bad attitude, but I just get frustrated, sometimes with Burnitz said. "Some people might call it a burning desire." Burnitz' bat is certainly sizzling. The Conroe, Texas left-handed slugger is currently leading Team USA in RBI. Following Thursday night's 8-1 win, the USA's 15th game on a 35-game exhibition tour, Burnitz was batting .366 with four home runs to go with his team-leading 15 RBI. The tour has helped Burnitz put "a disappointing" sophomore season behind him.

Burnitz hit .403 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI his freshman year, but batted just .307 this past season even though his power numbers were similar (16 HR, 59 RBI). "Everything was down, even homers and RBI as far as I'm concerned," Burnitz said. "I probably had 100 less at-bats my freshman with them this summer, I decided to go, but I was still undecided. "Even on the plane I was thinking about it. It wasn't until I put on the uniform that I decided I was going to keep playing.

It was then I realized how much I wanted to play." He now has something to prove and he's turning a few heads. Beanblossom is batting .429 for Team USA, which has played 15 games of a 35-game tour that will visit 12 states, Cuba and Puerto Rico. "I'm playing well and this has been a fun thing. I'm really enjoying it," Beanblossom said. "This next week we're going to Cuba.

I'd much rather be playing for this team than to go to some summer college league." One of his top goals is to help OSU return to the College World Series next season. "The key will be pitching," Beanblossom said. "We have nine proven players coming back and some good recruits coming in. But we lost six good, senior pitchers. If we get good pitching I think we'll have a great team." Beanblossom is Team USA's most versatile player.

He has played shortstop, DH and left field. His .429 average is tops among Team USA's regular starters. "Next year's draft will be different," Beanblossom said. "For one thing they know I want to play pro ball. Playing for Team USA hopefully will make this past year become just a bad dream." student, is going to pursue medical career.

He simply wants to put it on hold. The Oklahoma State University senior-to-be has his sights set on one goal to play professional baseball. He was crushed when no major league team drafted him last month. It was puzzling considering Beanblossom has batted .330, .333 and .321 his first three seasons at OSU. no doubt about it.

I was very upset," Beanblossom said an hour before Team USA was scheduled to face Chinese Taipei Thursday night in Tulsa. "I almost quit aLM went back to school. But once I started to play for Team USA, I changed my mind. "I will go to medical school some-; day, but I want to put school away for three years or so and give base-: ball a shot. School is the least of my worries right now." Beanblossom has no explanation scouts bypassed him.

Some speculate teams felt the Louisville native would concentrate on his medical career. Beanblossom, though, emphatically states he wants to give pro baseball a shot. He got so upset he almost didn't play for Team USA. "I didn't even think about (med-'ical school) until after the draft," 5 he said. "When (Team USA) coach i (Charlie) Greene called me and told i me he really wanted me to play at NMOFBEOS D40M2vs.EagleZR.

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