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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1973)
Dean Roberts discovering his own path in baseball Dean Roberts stepped up and took a healthy swing at the ball, knocking it far over the fence. "Dang it . . it's out of bounds. " he said as he watched his opening drive at Laurelwood Golf Course slice out of plav "I plav baseball better than I golf.” Roberts' performance on the baseball diamond the past two years for Oregon would indicate so As a freshman he hit .293, third best on the team. His brother. Dave, led the team in hitting and nearly everything else last year en route to receiving All American honors He became the major league's no. 1 draft choice when he signed with the San Diego Padres Does Dave's success put the pressure on him'’ collected ten hits in 26 trips to the place and is currently hitting at a 333 clip A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Roberts says his change in attitude was spurred on by a book called "Power in Praise "Everything's easier now,” he says. ‘‘I feel more relaxed And whether 1 go 0-4 or 4-4 1 can still thank the Lord that I can play this great game.” Roberts, while not satisfied with his season, feels if he can continue to play the kind of baseball he's playing now. the season could be a success "I haven't been swinging well until now." he says. "I'm just now getting going but if I can keep it up the rest of the year 1 can still salvage a good season.” By BOB WELCH Of the Emerald "It did.” says Dean, "at the start of the year Roberts got off to a sputtering start and didn't get in gear until two weeks ago when the Ducks traveled to Seattle for three games with the Huskies "I just changed my whole attitude about things.” Roberts says. "At the start of the season I was really looking forward to baseball and having a good year, because after I quit basketball it was all I had left as far as sports were concerned But 1 was trying to be as good as Dave instead of just trying to play my best ” Head coach Mel Krause agrees "He had a slight mechanical flaw in his swing at the start of the year due to his trying to live in the image of Dave.” said Krause. The change came very suddenly "I simply made up my mind to just go out there and play the game instead of trying to be like Dave I don't mind being compared to Dave by others but I proud of what he's done in fact Dean drives a car with a bumper sticker that says: I’m a Member of the Dave Roberts Fan Clubt but when I try to compete against him I find I'm pushing myself too hard.” Since the Washington series. Roberts has don't like to compare myself with him I’m really '.W.V.W.WWW "Dean has yet to realize his full potential, " said Krause "As a sophomore, he’s not quite on the same schedule as Dave, though He has great hit ting potential and is a great outfielder with a real instinct to go after fly balls. And his attitude is great — he's concerned more about the team than his own batting average or his own performance.” The 6-3. 190-pounder is disappointed that the Ducks haven't played well in Pac-8 games but is looking forward to next year when “we’ll have experience and improved players so we can get the job done.” In the meantime he'll be playing summer semi pro baseball with the Alaskan Goldpanners. the same team that Dave played with "The only problem I can see pertaining to his chances for making it in the major leagues is his arm." said Krause "He does not have an arm for a centerfielder in the major leagues He’ll have to play left It's awfully hard to tell a player's potential when he's only a sophomore, but if Dean realizes his potential he can play major league baseball.” “I hope to have a good summer and then a good spring next year and hopefully I’ll get drafted.’’ Roberts said Following that statement. Roberts wound in a tricky 30-footer for a birdie “. . Then again. I just might join the pro golf tour ” Pfioto by Gene Baicomb This senior lightweight-* crew shell failed to place at the Cor vallis inv itational Regatta last weekend, but other Oregon shells faired much better The freshman heavyweight-four beat a field that included favored University of Washington The frosh * took a second place, and the varsity lightweight-four took third The women's heavy weight-four used a dramatic comeback to win their initial heat, before placing fourth in the finals. Photo bv Jamfljj DEAN ROBERTS Ducks seek hitting therapy Oregon’s once very potent offensive attack is definitely in dire need of some batting practice With this in mind, the Ducks travel to Portland today to meet the PSU Vikings in a non-league baseball game In three meetings this season, the Ducks have pounded Portland State pitching for 32 runs Netters not looking forward to another Beaver match Oregon’s tennis squad is priming for the Washington State Tennis Tournament this weekend in Pullman The four-team round robin tournament begins Thursday with the Ducks not looking forward to their first match Already blasted twice this season by the Beavers. Oregon opens its action in the tour nament Friday against Oregon State The Ducks' rematch with OSU last Friday didn't turn out to be the debacle <9-0j of two weeks ago. but nevertheless the Beavers romped over the Duck netters in Corvallis, 7-2. Oregon's Mark Weir raised the Ducks hopes for an upset by defeating Jim Kuenzli in straight sets. 7-6. 7-5. tying the match at 1 1. The Beavers then went on to sweep the four remaining singles matches, tc wrap up the victory Hob Bradshaw of Oregon, playing as the sixth man, nearly pulled out a victory over OSU’s Dave Auzier. finally losing 5-7, 6 3. 6-0 In the number one singles match between the Ducks' Jumbo Fernando and his nemesis Jerry Suyderhoud. the OSU man continued his mastery over Fernando, this time winning a 6 3. 6-1 triumph Oregon, now 10-7 for the season, managed to pick up one point in the three doubles matches, with John Williams and Rob Bradshaw winning over OSU's Barry Laigne and Dave Auzier. 6-4, 6-4 Oregon State is still perfect for the year, their record now being 10-0 Meanwhile, in Eugene last Friday afternoon, the Oregon tennis JV’s fared considerably better, blitzing the JV’s from Oregon State. 7-0. Varsity members not playing in the varisty match with OSU, Fred LaMothe. Mike Yorkey and Web Howard, all freshmen, won singles matches in straight sets. John Williamson and Jay Howard also registered victories Coming off a three-fa weekend Pacifie-8 senes d lowly Washington, the Dirt need a fast remedy for las hitting woes There will be no room k practice this weekend as It Ducks meet league-ieadnf Washington State in Pullman mi three-game senes The Coufm 8-1, own a five-game leads* Oregon in the league siandap with but six to play. Coach Mel Krause will sat sophomore Steve Miller ir. a game beginning at 7:30 torngte* Portland’s Civic Stadium Against Washington. Dad hitters managed only three ns in each of the games and *# actually outhit in the seriesS-S Only superb pitching allowed Oregon to escape with two* tories Mike Shoup saved the Do* w ith a seven-hit shutout in Id first game Greg Richard! pitched a five-hitter in Saturday! first game but had to go two Sri innings to win 3-D The roof fell ■ on freshman Brian Shariders * Washington won 8-3 in nightcap, as the Ducks J* Huskies split six games I* season Oregon is now &-6 in Pac-8 pa? and 18-9 overall Women shine in tennis tournament A thrilling match between Oregon's number two player, Connie Geocans, and a player from Washington State, highlighted Oregon’s par ticipation in a one-day women’s tennis tournament at Portland State Saturday Geocaris finally won her match, but only after two 12 point tie-breaking sets Geocaris was “cool and collected and came through with extremely consistent and well placed shots,” said women's tennis coach Angela Dreher She called I he match "one of the finest demonstrations of tennis I have ever seen ” Despite the lengthy tlmte ^ Geocans, Oregon was Oefl ■ Washington State. In a Washington. Oregon won ' Susie Delatour was , Oregon standout, winnings her two matches in Geocaris also won her against Washington Casey Crandall was ^ double winner. laking ^ matches in lw0 se^inj» Maynard split matches. Both of Oregon's doub^|# lost, allowing WSU W *no1 team score , factf Today the women s ^ ^ Portland State on • . Street courts beginning
