SPORTS Nebraskan Friday, April 29,1994 NU baseball team unsure of regional spot By Trevor Parks Staff Reporter As the Nebraska baseball season winds down, ■■■■HUD the Comhuskers find them selves in a predicament similar to last year. They’re trying to figure out a way— any way— to get into the NCAA Rcgionals. “It’s a tough call,” Ne braska coach John Sanders said of the regional selec — tion process. It s hard lo Sanders know or evaluate.” Last year, the Huskers thought they h^d the solution. After starting slowly with a 12-15 record, they came on strong and won 23 of their last 31 games to finish the year 35-23. But that wasn’t enough, as the Huskers failed to qual ify for the rcgionals for the eighth consecutive season. This season, the Huskers again started 12-15 and have won 16 of their last 20 to climb to 28 19. “We were playing well late (last season), and we were disappointed that we didn’t get in,” Sanders said. “There’s no sure bet ofgetting in, other than winning the (Big Eight) tourna ment.” Winning the conference tournament could be difficult this season, Sanders said. At fourth place, the Huskers are among five Big Eight teams vying for the two or three regional tournament spots likely to go to con ference teams, Sanders said. Kansas coach Dave Bingham said he wasn’t sure about the Jayhawks’ or the Huskers’ chances. Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Kansas, Ne braska and Missouri arc all playing well, he said, and each has a chance to do some damage in the tournament. -« There’s no sure bet of getting in, other than winning the (Big Eight) tournament. -Sanders Nebraska baseball coach “This year’s toumamcn t should be outstand ing,” Bingham said. “IflowaState hits like they did against us, that would make six good teams in there, so it will be tough.” Bingham said the Big Eight tournament and the rest of the regular season would determine who and how many teams from the Big Eight qualified for rcgionals. The 30-13 Jayhawks are looking for a return trip to rcgionals and the College World Scries. Although the Jayhawks put a dent in the Huskers’ regional chances with three straight wins over the weekend, Nebraska rebounded by w w winning two straight against Missouri. Despite the Huskers’ losses to Kansas, Bingham said, the Huskcrsshould havca chance at making regionals. “Nebraska has a fine team,” he said. “They will be fine.” But only if the Huskers perform well in the Big Eight tournament, Sanders said. The Husk ers’ shot at regionals could come down to their play in Oklahoma City, May 19-22. “1 think it will" Sanders said. “We can’t look beyond our next game. The latest streak in our next eight games will tell.” Jay Calderon* Nebraska catcher David Crain reacts after getting hit in the throat with a wild pitch in the first game of the Huskers’ doubleheader with Missouri Wednesday afternoon. Husker catcher does all he can for team Crain gets dirty, gives best effort to help NU win By Jeff Griesch Senior Editor While Nebraska catcher David Crain was taking a break from warm ing up pitchers Saturday, a Huskcr hitter popped a foul ball toward the bullpen. I 1 Crain, who was standing in full catching gear out side the gate of the pen, turned and sprinted full speed and all but dove headlong into a icncc 10 make a '-—-* play on the ball. Crain “i wanjC(j l0 gCl in but since I couldn't, I still wanted to have some fun,” Crain said. “Every time I come out to the ballyard, I want to play hard and have fun.” Crain’s aggressive play is evident every time he steps up to or crouches behind the plate. Crain has been hit by a pitch 11 times, giving him the team’s third best on-base percentage at.397. That’s despite his .205 batting average. “I’m not the most talented player, but I can find a way to get on base,” Crain said. “If I can move up a runner or get something started by getting hit, then I’ll gladly do it.” Sunday against Kansas, the junior from Laguna Beach, Calif., also glad ly got dirty behind the plate. His white uniform was covered from neck to ankle with dust—some from dropping to his knees to block balls behind home plate, the rest from diving into first base on a play in which he was thrown out by at least five feet. - it I am a grind-it-out player. I am always a gamer. When I play, I go hard and get dirty — that ’s the only way I know to play. — Crain NU catcher -ft - “I ain a grind-it-out player,” Crain said. “1 am always a gamer. I give it 100 percent every time I gel in. When I play, I go hard and get dirty—that’s the only way I know to play.” Crain said he got dirty to help his team win. "That’s just how I have always been,” Crain said. “I just want to find a way to win. I’ll do whatever it takes to help the team.” But when Nebraska doesn’t win, Crain said, he takes it in stride. That was evident after the Huskers’ third straight loss to Kansas on Sunday. While his teammates moped around the field and did their manda tory field work after the game, Crain merrily went about hischores at home plate. Crain raked, pushed, sculpted and crowned the dirt around home plate. He wassimply getting ready for the next chance to get dirty and try to win, he said. “Sometimes you go to the ballyard and don’t play very well and win,” Crain said. “Sometimes you go to the ballyard and give it everything you have and just can’t get the job done. “As long as you play as hard as you can, then you did all you could. Los ing is just a part of baseball, and you can always come out and win one next time.” Track teams to compete with the best at Drake Relays By Trevor Parks Staff Reporter The Nebraska men’s and women’s track and field teams should benefit from this weekend’s Drake Relays, one oi me most prestigious meets in the nation, Ne braska coach Gary Pepin said. Pepin said the high level of tal ent at the meet would test the l.UIUUUSKCrs. Pepin “You always hope if the competition is better, you respondpositively and not negatively," Pepin said. But Pepin said his team shouldn’t have any problem getting ready lor the meet. “Wedon’t talk about it too much,” Pepin said, “If you can’t get fired up fora meet like this, then you can’t get ready for anything.” Both the Husker men and women have had success in the past at the Drake Relays. The women have had 29 first-place finishes, the most by any school in the history of the meet. Eighteen of the first-place marks were individual titles, while the other 11 titles came in relay events. The men have had 57 first-place finishes, ranking fourth in the history of the meet. Included in that arc 39 individual titles and 18 relay champi onships. Illinois has the most, with 120 first-place finishes. Pepin said he hoped the success the Huskers had had at the Relays would continue this year. “It’s a sign of a program that does well,” Pepin said. “We hope to win a few more.” Pepin said the Huskers would, at least, begin the Relays in better shape than they had been in during the out door season. Sophomore sprinter-hurdler Isaac Carson and sprinter Rod Marshall are expected to return to the lineup this week. Middle distance runner Kevin Miillerand pole vaul ter John Nichols also have improved, Pepin said, but they probably won’t participate this weekend. On the women’s side, senior All American Theresa Stelling, who was - it If you can’t get fired up for a meet like this, then you can’t get ready for anything. — Pepin Nil track and field coach slowed by a sore back, is expected to return to action soon. Sprin ter Shanclle Porter will miss the meet because of a foot injury that has kept her out of action during the outdoor season. Pepin said a crowd of 20,000 was expected for the 85th annual running of the Relays, which start at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. More than 60 teams will have ath w w letcs competing at the meet. Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis will run in the special invitational 100-mcter dash. “It’s a fun weekend,” Pepin said. “They have a whole lot of social ac tivities planned. Everything in the community this weekend surrounds the Relays.”