Collegian April 17, 1986 National League bodes The National League East bodes as a transient division again this year--the last time a team repeated a pennant title was 1978. The Mets make a stong case for a new winner with a sterling pitching staff which benumbs opponents, and a powerful offensive lineup. Dwight Gooden seems to be an unstoppable force in the NL East and can be counted on for at least 20 wins. Ron Darling is the other ace and second-year hurler Sid Fernandez led the league in strikeouts per game and least hits allowed although his wonost record didn't reflect this as he ran into some hard luck. The offense throbs to the tune of consistent powermen Keith Hernandez, Gary Carter, and Darryl Strawberry. On paper the lineup appears unbeatable and I think it literally is. St Louis could of course steal it away if their pitching holds up after the loss of Andujar. The of fense is solid although lacking power and it seems doubtful whether Tommy Herr can have another career year as he did last season. One must never count Whitey Herzog out though—he always finds a way to win: expect another dogfight. Cubs Scoreboard Men's Tennis Behrend v. Grove City 2-7 Loss 1) Mike Veslany-win: 1-6, 6-2, 6-4 2) Mike McMullen-loss: 6-7, 6-2, 3-6 3) Raj Jolly-loss: 6-7, 4-6 4) Tim Lee-loss: 3-6, 3-6 5) Rob Roth-loss: 4-6, 4-6 6) Dave Pulutnik-loss: 5-7, 4-6 DOUBLES 1) Veslany-Lee-loss: 3-6, 4-6 2) McMullen-Jolly-win: 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 3) Roth-Pulutnik (drip) 4) Cohan-Dillis-loss: 0-6, 2-6 Behrend v. Thiel 8-1 Win 1) Mike Veslany-win: 6-2, 2-6, 6-0 2) Mike McMullen-win: 6-3, 6-1 3) Raj Jolly-win: 7-5, 6-4 4) Tim Lee-win: 6-2, 6-4 5) Rob Roth-win: 6-3, 7-5 6) Dave Pulutnik-win: 6-4, 6-3 DOUBLES 1) Veslany-Lee-win: 6-0, 6-2 2) McMullen-Jolly-win: 6-1, 6-3 3) Roth-Pulutnik (dnp) 4) Cohan-Dillis-loss: 6-3, 6-2 Behrend v. Westminster 1-8 Loss 1) Mike Veslany-loss: 2-6, 2-6 2) Mike McMullen-loss: 4-6, 1-6 3) Raj Jolly-win: 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 4) Tim Lee-loss: 4-6, 3-6 5) Rob Roth-loss: 2-6, 7-5, 2-6 6) Dave Pulutnik-loss: 3-6, 4-6 DOUBLES 1) Veslany-Lee-loss: 1-6, 1-6 2) McMullen-Jolly-loss: 3-6, 3-6 3) Roth-Pulutnik (drip) 4) Cohan-Dillis-loss: 3-6, 4-6 Behrend v. Malone 5-4 Win 1) Mike Veslany-loss: 3-10 2) Mike McMullen-loss: 7-10 3) Raj Jolly-win: 10-9 4) Tim Lee-win: 10-5 The Cub's should also be con tenders if the pitching staff can avoid - the string of injuries which dropped all five starters onto the DL at least once during last year's grievous season. The roster has also been racked by father time, but scoring runs has never been too difficult in Wrigley so pit ching seems to be the key. My allegiance to the Pirates has led me to hammer them into the fourth slot, but this young squad has one attribute which last year's vapid team lacked--hustle. Nothing seems more untenable than a Pirate roster with only a few players locking up positions: Tony Pena and Mike Brown. But their five-hundred spring training record is encourging—it would be very difficult and the ramifica tions lethal for the Bucos to do any worse than last year. The Expos gave it a good go last year which was a surprise, but this year after an atrocious spring training and anemic pitching, the Expos will most likely spend a chilly season in Montreal. Hubie Brooks proved to be conducive to the confines of Olympic Stadium at shortstop having a brilliant year, but the pitching staff has many foibles with the exception of 5) Rob Roth-win: 10-5 6) Dave Pulutnik-win: 10-5 DOUBLES 1) Veslany-Lee-loss: 2-6, 2-6 2) McMullen-Jolly-win: 6-0, 6-1 3) Roth-Pulutnik-loss: 2-6, 6-0, 3-6 4) Cohen-Dillis (dnp) Behrend v. Fairmont State 9-0 Loss 1) Mike Veslany-loss: 2-6, 2-6 2) Mike McMullen-loss: 2-6, 6-7 3) Raj Jolly-loss: 3-6, 0-6 4) Tim Lee-loss: 3-6, 4-6 5) Rob Roth-loss: 1-6, 3-6 6) Dave Pulutnik-loss: 0-6, 0-6 DOUBLES 1) McMullen-Jolly-loss: 2-6, 4-6 2) Roth-Pulutnik-loss: 1-6, 2-6 3) Lee-Cohan-loss: 2-6, 3-6 Behrend v. Allegheny 9-0 Loss 1) Mike Veslany-loss: 0-6, 1-6 2) Mike McMullen-loss: 4-6, 3-6 3) Raj Jolly-loss: 1-6, 3-6 4) Tim Lee-loss: 1-6, 4-6 5) Rob Roth-loss: 4-6, 4-6 6) Dave Pulutnik-loss: 0-6, 3-6 DOUBLES 1) Veslany-Lee-loss: 3-6, 4-6 2) McMullen-Jolly-loss: 1-6, 1-6 3) Roth-Pulutnik (dnp) 4) Cohan-Dillis-loss: 4-6, 0-6 Women's Softball (1-4-1) Batting Averages 1) Lori McClellan-p, .316 2) Rose Zuccolotto-p, .267 3) Renee Gelletta-3b, .263 4) Sue Holmes-c, .250 5) Roshelle Bonazza-of, .250 6) Sue Walchack-cf, .235 7) Lisa Butch-ss, .211 8) Kim Audette-lf, .167 9) Kathy Fox, 2b, .095 10) Traci Duncan-lb, .079 11) Dorothy Rightor-of, .000 Bryn Smith (18-5), the ace who re mains after Bill Gullikson's departure. Tim Raines had a marvelous year and can always be counted on for offensive produc tion, though the Hawk is still ex periencing knee problems which could limit his output_ The Phillies will thrust some young pitchers into the limelight of rowdy Veterans Stadium. With John Denny gone to the Reds and Steve Carlton fading, the Phillies will be lacking quality starters. All-star catcher Ozzie Virgil left for Atlanta leaving only a backstop while the outfield is suspcct with Von Hayes moving in to first and Mike Schmidt going back to third. This leaves Glenn Wilson out in right and probably new Phil Gary Redus in center. Still it seems to be nothing more than a rebuilding year in Philly. The frenetic atmosphere which greeted Pete Rose's arrival back in Cincinnati still lingers after last year's gutsy effort to hustle off with the pennant. The Reds fell short in the last couple of weeks which can be chiefly attributed to a failure of pitching. Mario Soto had a disappointing season at 12-15, but that if anything seems to have been a fluke and combin- STU[DEI\IT E3REAK BUY AN APPLE - GET A CHECK FROM APPLE APPLE II E - $ 150.00 MAC PLUS - $ 200.00 APPLE II C - $ 75.00 MAC 512 K - $ 175.00 GET A - FREE HOODED APPLE SWEATSHIRT COMPLIMENTS OF ERIE COMPUTER (814) 838-6386 STORE HOURS: MON. - FRI. 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM transition ing the talents of Tom Browning, John Denny, and relievers John Franco and Ted Power should give the Reds the strongest staff going (with the possible exception of LA). Look for the re emergence of the big red (pit ching) machine. The Dodgers will flourish as always. This year they acquired the reliable Ed Vande Berg for late inning relief as if they really needed it with their quality staff. The rest of the team is intact from last year and it will indeed be another year when Dodger blue can be viewed near the top. San Diego has a new skipper and perhaps a new spark now that the managerial problems have been alleviated. Their squad is very nearly the same as 1984 s pen nant winner with the exception of Alan Wiggins (Royster filled the void well though) and it seems that if this team rediscovers the will to win, they can also contend. The Braves are hotter than the Florida weather leading the Na tional League at Spring Training wims. Much jockeying has been done all the way down from the top all the way down from the top of the organization with Bobby Cox becoming general manager ERIE COMPUTER ERIE COMPUYER FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: BILL STEWART sports 12 FROM APPLE 2765 W. BTH ST. ERIE, PA. 16505 ( 814) 838-6386 CHRIS CICERO and Chuck Tanner field manager. If Bruce Sutter can be the stopper of old and the production keeps coming from Dale Murphy, the Braves could enjoy moderate suc cess although making no claims for the pennant. In Houston there seems to be little progression in playing per sonnel which would better their mediocre previous season's record. Like the -Braves, the Astros have a new GM., Dick Wagner, and a new manager, Hal Lanier. A few young players may help but the squad seems on an unaltered path from 1985. No one expects much from the Giants this year and chances are they won't be disappointed. Roger Craig, another new manager, will have his hands full with a leaderless and lackluster team. Third baseman Chris Brown was last year's offensive leader but he was and continues to be susceptible to injury. The Giants are doing well in spring training, but look for all the wind to shred their sails upon returning to Candlestick. Well, those are the picks. I will not be held responsible for any betting debts incurred for I am like all tellers of fortune, single minded and highly fallible.
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