The Daily American from Somerset, Pennsylvania • 11

Sports 11 Daily American, Somerset, Thursday, January 26, 1989 Rush continues to climb stairway to Boston The son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy E. Rush of Somerset RD 1, Rush said he will be evaluated following the upcoming spring training season and expects to be sent to either Lynchburg, in the Class A Carolina League, or possibly New Britain, in the Class AA Eastern League. At Winter Haven, Rush notched 75 strikeouts over 78 innings pitched, which is a major league performance by any coaching standard.

At 19, he's one of the youngest players in the entire league. "My arm started to get a little tired in Florida," Rush admitted. "It's the hardest I've ever thrown." Because of a nagging groin injury, he was temporarily sidelined for six days of rest and relaxation. Timed at a consistent 86 miles per hour, Rush's fastball soared to the 91-92 m.p.h. range.

He's also working on several off-speed pitches to complement his blazing fastball, and he's also fine-tuning his delivery to the plate and By RON PRITTS Sports Editor Andy Rush, a hometown pitching sensation during his illustrious high school baseball career, continues to climb the stairway to Boston and a possible major league start at Fenway Park. The 19-year-old right-hander, who turned down a scholarship with the University of Florida to sign a major league contract with the Boston Red Sox, is presently enjoying an off-season break following a grueling, but highly successful outing in the Class A Florida State League in Winter Haven, Fla. A second-round draft pick last June, Rush posted an impressive 2.0 ERA during instructional league competition where he led the team in strikeouts and innings pitched. After signing with the Red Sox of the American League, he was assigned to their farm club at Elmira, N.Y., where he pitched for the Elmira Pioneers in the century-old New York-Penn League. pickoff move to first.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound flame-thrower said playing for the Red Sox's minor league team is a gigantic leap from his high school days when he intimidated opposing teams and mowed down hitters with relative ease. Because of his strikeout artistry, local fans referred to him as "Mr. "The hitters are much tougher," he confessed. "They're all good or they wouldn't be there." During his free time, Rush maintains a steady regiment of lifting weights, running and sometimes throwing anything to keep in shape. Staying physically strong and mentally sound is a must for anyone competing at the professional level.

"I try to keep in shape," he said. "1 usually throw every five days, so I have to stay athletically inclined." "Most of the coaches are real pleased with my progress," he said, noting that the average progression period from minor "I'll be going to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown one semester at a time," he said. He plans to major in finance. The Boston Red Sox also have a triple-A farm club based in Pawtucket, R.I., which competes in the International League. Pawtucket is the last step on the stairway to Boston.

Rush's roommate in Florida was Dan Kite, a pitcher from Shaler High School, who was also drafted by the Bosox. Naturally, the two have become close friends as well as teammates. Ironically, Kite was Rush's roommate during the American Legion's All-State Game. Bob Mayer, a former player for the Cincinnati Reds and Rush's coach in the American Legion Baseball League, was one of many area supporters who helped prepare the young pitcher for his first trip to Elmira. "Bob Mayer told me what it was going to be like," Rush said.

"I liked it even more than I thought I would. I loved it I really did." league ball to the majors is from three to five years. Upon signing his major league contract last summer, Phil Rossi, scout for the Red Sox, said "We feel Andy is a top caliber professional who will do well in our organization." A four-year letter winner in high school, Rush was voted Gatorade Circle of Champions 1988 Pennsylvania High School Baseball Player of the Year and was twice named to the East-West American Legion All-Star game at Three Rivers Stadium. He compiled an impressive 8-0 record with an ERA of 0.S8 in his senior year at Somerset Area Senior High School and helped the Golden Eagles win their first-ever District 6AAA baseball championship. He was also a standout basketball player, but chose baseball because "I've always wanted to pitch in the majors." Playing professional baseball has been a lifelong dream for the young pitching star who hasn't forgotten the importance of a good education.

If 1 ''MnNk Andy Rush "I'm working out at Weight World gym, lifting weights and doing some running," said Rush, who's also working parttime at Bugzy's Restaurant, Somerset RD 2, and Nationwide Insurance, Somerset. Steelers hire Rust as defensive coordinator NFL's only black coordinator. Rust, who coached Steelers defensive line coach Joe Greene, an NFL Hall of Famer, at North Texas State, said, "The Steelers PITTSBURGH (AP) Rod Rust, an NFL assistant coach for 13 years and the former defensive coordinator of the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs, was hired Wednesday as the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive coordinator. Rust, 60, spent five seasons with the Patriots before rejoining the Chiefs' staff last season. He was given permission to talk to the Steelers when former Chiefs Coach Frank Gansz was fired and replaced by Marty Schot-tenheimer, who will bring in his own assistants.

Steelers Coach Chuck Noll first talked to Rust about joining his staff 20 years ago, when Rust was North Texas State's coach. "I was impressed with Rod, the way that he ran his program. I talked to him again (in 1975), but we didn't have an opening," Noll said. "You could say the third time was the charm. "I've been impressed with Rod for 20 years, more than 20 years, and this time we had a chance to get together." Rust replaces Tony Dungy, who resigned Jan.

3 rather than accept a demotion to secondary coach. Dungy, the defensive coordinator for three years, had been the Pitt shocks Seton Hall EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Paul Evans probably doesn't want an entire slate of games against Top 10 teams, but playing the best in the nation has brought out the best in Pitt in January. Jason Matthews scored all 15 of his points in the second half and hit two go-ahead free throws with 1:28 to play as Pitt scored its third' upset of the month by knocking off No. 9 Seton Hall 82-79 Wednesday night.

Earlier this month, the Panthers, 10-7, defeated then-No. 2 Syracuse 91-86 and followed that with a 99-91 victory over No. 3 Oklahoma. "Look around," Evans said. "Most teams don't have all five starters play well at one time.

We don't have a bench. We need all five starters to play well. When we do, we can compete with anybody." Evans' starters didn't play all that well against Seton Hall, 17-2, but they were at their best in the final 5:41 when the Panthers rallied from a seven-point deficit. "We're a young team, but we never gave up," Matthews said. "We never quit.

1 don't know what it is. Maybe somewhere down deep we say to ourselves we're going to beat the Top 10 teams. Pitt held Seton Hall to just one field goal in the final seven minutes in breaking the Pirates' seven-game winning streak at the Brendan Byrne Arena. Shorter topped Pitt with 22 points and Rod Brookin had IS, all in the first half. Passing fancy Pittsburgh Panthers Jason Matthews manages to pass the ball as he falls over Andrew Gaze of the Seton Hall Pirates during first half Big East action Wednesday night at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, N.J.

(ap) Tin'- Indians drop BC; Lady Eagles lose have a rich tradition that's one of the plusses about being here. "I was very serious about coming here in 1969, but I didn't for a couple of reasons. The main reason was I was expecting the best team in North Texas State history (in 1970)," he said. "Do I wish I had come here then? Yes and no. I would have been a part of a lot of Super Bowls that I sat at home and watched, but I try not to look back Noll reportedly offered the defensive coordinator's job last week to Woody Widenhofer, but the former Steelers' assistant chose to join the staff of longtime friend and new Detroit Lions Coach Wayne Fontes.

Rust was a Chiefs' assistant from 1978 through 1982, then served as the Patriots' defensive coordinator for five years. New England's defense ranked third in the American Conference in 1985, when the Patriots lost to the Chicago Bears in Super Bowl XX. Pens down Jets PITTSBURGH (AP) Rob Brown scored his second goal of the game at 12:38 of the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins came back after losing a three-goal lead to beat the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 Wednesday night. Mario Lemieux, who scored his 53rd goal, also assisted on three goals to raise his NHL-leading point total to 133. Lemieux carried the puck into the zone on the left side and fed a pass to Brown, who was able to control the puck and direct it past goalie Daniel Berthiaume for his 34th goal of the season.

The Jets came back from a 4-1 first-period deficit to get a 4-4 tie early in the third period. Winnipeg's Frederik Olausson scored the only goal of the second period. He wristed a shot past Wendell Young from the right circle for his ninth. Robinson, Bream sign PITTSBURGH (AP) The Pittsburgh Pirates reduced their possible arbitration cases to two Wednesday by signing right-handed reliever Jeff Robinson to a two-year contract and first baseman Sid Bream to a one-year deal. One of baseball's top setup men, Robinson signed for $1,675 million, $750,000 in 1989 and $925,000 in 1990.

Robinson, who made $425,000 last season, sought $825,000 in arbitration and was offered $660,000. Robinson's contract has neutral lockout language, meaning an arbitrator would decide if he would be paid during any 1990 owners' lockout. Robinson, 28, tied for second in the National League with 75 appearances in 1988, the most by a Pirate since Kent Tekulve made 76 appearances in 1983. He was 11-5 with a 3.03 earned run average and led major league relievers in innings pitched with 124.2. His victories were the most by a Pirate reliever since Tekulve had 12 wins in 1982.

Robinson, acquired from San Francisco in August 1987, has a 32-32 career record with 31 saves in 262 games. Bream signed for $510,000 as he and the Pirates split the difference between the team's $460,000 arbitration offer and Bream's $560,000 request. Sunny weather combined with fresh packed powder made for ideal conditions as racers from western Pennsylvania competed on the Imperial Slope. Somerset area skiers placed in all five junior race categories. The results were as follows with trophies being awarded to the top three places in each category: nder opea 1st, Alex Baldwin, Pittsburgh; 2nd, Drew Vanyo, Somerset; 3rd.

Rob Burkholder, Ligonier. 9-12, girls 1st, Nancy McGinley, Ml. Lebanon; 2nd, Alice Serenyi. Ligonier; 3rd, Courtney Vanyo, Somerset. 9-12 boys 1st, Drew Poppleton, Pittsburgh; 2nd, Matt Carey, Mt.

Lebanon; 3rd, Joshua Berman, Somerset. 13-over. girls 1st, Jessica Millstein, Greensburg; 2nd, Merryl Berlanti, Somerset; 3rd, Nina Pagnotto, Pittsburgh. 13-over boys 1st, David Berman, Somerset; 2nd, Jay Dovey, Rector; 3rd, Brad Pasanek Fox Chapel EBENSBURG Eric Andrews scored a game-high 25 points in leading a quartet of Indians in double figures as Conemaugh Township gunned down Bishop Carroll in a non-league basketball game Wednesday night. "Andrews had a good all-around game," said Scott Cable, Conemaugh Township coach.

Andrews had seven rebounds, four steals and four assists. Brian Torchia had 16 points, Matt Smith 12, and Dave Reckner 10 in rounding out the Tribe's double-digit scorers. "Matt Smith got us going early in the game," said Cable, noting that the Indians bolted in front 18-10 in the first quarter where Smith had two assists and two steals. The Indians won the board battle 35-22 with Torchia pulling down a team high 1 2 rebounds. Township connected on 24 of 45 shots from the field compared to Bishop Carroll's 21 of 68.

The Indians also won the JV game, 58-49. They will travel to Shanksville on Tuesday. Conemaugh Township: Andrews 9 7 25, Rosenbaum I 0 2. Smith 3 5 12, Torchia 8 0 16, Reckner 34 10 Totals: 24(16-31)63 Bishop Carroll: Dolges 3 2 11, Goltz 8 3 19. Saylor 4 I 9.

Sylvester 1 I 3. Hodgkinson I 0 2. Walding 3 0 6, Sherwin I 0 3. Totals: 21 (7-14) 53 The loss snapped the Lady Eagles' string of 27 consecutive league victories. Stacey Carmean and Genifer Saylor scored 18 and 13 points, respectively, for the defending league champs who shot 29 percent from the field, converting only 13 of 45 field-goal attempts.

"Penn Cambria is tough on their home floor," Nussrallah said. Penn Cambria was led by Bambi Chappell's 16 points. Somerset, 12-4 overall, won the first half of league play with a 9-0 record. The Lady Eagles travel to Vo-Tech on Friday. Somerset's JV team climbed to 10-2 overall with a 26-20 victory.

Hvndman 67 Shanksville 48 SHANKSVILLE "We just went cold," replied Shanksville coach Wayne Long, following the Vikings' 67-48 non-league basketball loss Wednesday night to Hyndman. Shanksville opened with a 16-11 lead, but the Hyndman Hornets took command with a 21-8 scoring spree in the second quarter to regain a 32-24 halftime advantage. "We weren't moving on offense and we weren't hitting," Long said, noting that the Vikings were only 19 of 68 from the field and 8 of 23 from the foul line. Shanksv ille's John Stockenus and Darryl Lambert scored 12 points each and Bob Snyder added 10 points and 10 rebounds. Shanksville won the JV game, 33-27.

The Vikings take on the North Star Cougars Friday at Bos well. Hyndman Rice 2 10 14. After 2 0 4. Leydig 9 3 21. Emerick 7 1 IS.

Schad I 3 5. Rvan022 Totah: 24(19-24)67 Shanksville: Love 2 I 5. Snvder I 0 2. Snyder 5 0 10, Stockenus 3 6 12, Lambert 5 0 12, Palenik 2 1 5, Schrock 1 0 2, Blackburn 0 0 0. Slingiuff 000.

Totals: 19(8-23)48 Three-pointers, Lambert 2 Hvndman II 21 14 21-67 Shanksville 16 10 14-48 Eagle matmen level 'Hills Somerset extended its dual meet record to 7-1 with a lopsided 63-6 victory over Forest Hills in a junior high wrestling meet Wednesday. Recording falls for coach Dean Uschak's Eagle grapplers were Travis McKinley, Chris Winters, Brett Rapp, Chuck Teeters, Steve Witt, Ryan Schmidt, Chad Pensiero, Gino Betta and Mark Witt. Dave Lape, Brett Sechler and Jason Barron muscled out decisions for the Eagles who travel to Meyersdale on Wednesday. Soccer registration BERLIN Berlin AYSO soccer registration will be held from 6-9 p.m. Friday, and from 9 a.m.

to 1 p.m. Saturday, in the Berlin Fire Department meeting room. Sports card Today Basketball Gird Shade at North Star Conemaugh Township at Salisbury Turkeyfoot at Shanksville Rock wood at Meyersdale Richland at Somerset North Star at Conemaugh Township Berman wins slalom race HIDDEN VALLEY Dave Berman of Somerset outpaced the field as he took first place with a time of 38.55, two seconds faster than second place finisher Jay Dovey of Rector in the premier slalom race of the ski season at Hidden Valky on Sunday Pistol league SOMERSET COUNTY PISTOL LEAGUE Edle S- Berkey 282 Ling 278 G. Barton 258 S. Cramer 259 Breen 237 Tol 1314 Mpe ilk Berkey 293 Ely 2S7 D.

Farabaugh Jji Fetterolf J51, B. Prills 247 IK Somerset Landefetd 271 Centi TU A Henhberger 239 Hemminger 240 Fetterolf 222 Roytowa A. Friu Moaner 267 MiBer ju Wilhaaas ZZZ.jfi Trent iij "a it Leagac Fetterolf 241 M. Harber ZZZZ.liO em infer ijj LandefeW 257 Banoa Jsfc Treat tjT Berkey 2 IS IS 13 19-65 Carroll 10 16 13 14-53 Nursing the knee Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan holds ice to his left knee during the first half against the 76ers in Philadelphia Wednesday. The 76ers won the game, 120-108.

Jordan injured himself Tuesday night in Chicago in a game against the Dalle Mavericks. (AP) Penn Cambria 43 Somerset 41 CRESSON Somerset opened the second half of Tri-County League competition with a disappointing 43-41 loss to Penn Cambria Wednesday night. "The better team didn't win tonight," said Karen Nussrallah, Somerset coach. "The team that played better did." 1.