Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 6, 1999)
Homers Continued from Page 11 “Jill, I was just about to,” Mackey complains. “OK, well, you’re being no fun now,” Robinson manages to say between giggles. “Jill, if I hit it, it’s gonna be for you. You’re the person I’m gonna point to.” “OK.” “All right,” Mackey says, turn ing away from Robinson. “We’re gonna point to one another.” “Yeah, that’s good to put in there, don’t you think?” The season has been mostly fun for No. 18 Oregon (38-22 overall, 9-13 Pacific-10 Confer ence), as the Ducks continue their turnaround under third year head coach Rick Gamez. And it has been a season of record-breaking performances, with Mackey and Robinson hit ting the way. Oregon has shattered the team homer record, jumping from 49 last season to 64 with six games remaining. Although the homer-mates have accounted for more than 37 percent of the total, it took the tandem a while to get launched. Mackey struck first, blasting her first home run and eighth of her career in the Ducks’ seventh game. And the senior from Red Bluff, Calif., took a two-homer lead on her roommate with a home run in game 13. Robinson, a junior from Win ton, Calif., whom Gamez benched for the first five games, hit her first homer and seventh of her career in Oregon’s 16th game. From there, Mackey’s home runs have been steadier, while the bulk of Robinson’s came when she hit eight during a 14 game stretch that ended in April. However, Mackey had two mul ti-homer games in a five-game stretch in late March. Gamez said he has not been surprised by the power numbers either has produced, because of past performances. Still, Mackey’s high-homer mark coming into this season was seven last season, and Robinson’s high was four in 1997. Gamez said the off-season hitting work in the Moshofsky Center has helped. The homer-mates agreed. Despite their friendship and similarities, Mackey and Robin son are easily discernible on the field, Gamez said. “They both love to play and be successful,” Gamez said, “but they’re two different types of ballplayers.” Following leadoff hitter Tia Dumas’ season-ending injury in February, Gamez installed Robinson at the top of the lineup. Robinson has thrived, stealing a team-high 20 bases and batting .296. “Jill has more offensive capa bilities,” Gamez said. “She’s got good speed and can bunt.” Meanwhile, Mackey has been firmly entrenched in the cleanup spot since Triawn Custer’s injury in mid-March. Mackey has been the run-producer Oregon needs, hitting 13 doubles with a .313 av erage. “Katie is more of a power hit ter,” Gamez said. Mackey lived up to that billing when she smashed a three-run homer in the 11th inning to beat No. 5 Washington, 4-3, last Sun day. The home run tied her with Holte and Robinson, but Mackey said she was more excited about the victory. Those three runs bat ted in pulled Mackey to within three of Lindsey Welch’s single season record of 46. Robinson first tied the home run record when she blasted her 12th in a Duck victory over Ari zona State two weeks ago. Robin son has not hit a home run in the five games since. ■ ■ a Mackey and Robinson are still together in the plush lobby. They are on the subject of su perstitions. “We usually play Ping-Pong the night before games,” Robin son says. “I usually beat her,” Mackey says. “I always beat her.” “Yeah, Katie usually beats me,” Robinson deadpans. "But I just play along, you know.” Laughter. “No, she beats me fair and square,” Robinson says. “But I got her last time.” “She beat me once. I’ll admit it. And then she ran out of the garage and wouldn’t let me play her again.” * Neither of the homer-mates can pull a similar maneuver when or if she breaks the record. Tennis Continued from Page 11 more-to-be Bertrand Devillers said. “That was a really good mo ment.” And then at the Pac-10 Cham pionships two weeks ago, Ore gon’s tandem of Carter and Dev illers reached the semifinals in doubles play. “[Our doubles play] improved when Miguel [Arriaga] got into the lineup,” Carter said. “He made a big difference. It was a good change.” Arriaga, one of the team’s two seniors, was good the entire sea son. 4 By compiling a 21-10 singles record and an 8-4 doubles mark, Arriaga broke into Oregon’s all time top 10 for most career victo ries with 45, as well as its top 10 for most wins in a season. Not bad for a player who won only eight matches during his first season as a Duck. “Miguel has found a way to re ally put things into practice,” Russell said. “He’s really applied what he’s learned.” The entire team benefited from Arriaga’s consistency, his team mates said. “Miguel was a guy who we al ways knew would probably win," De’villers said. “That gave us a lot of confidence. “We’re going to miss him and Carlos [Navarro].” Team captain Navarro, Ore gon’s other departing senior, did n’t collect wins the way Arriaga did, but he certainly contributed in other important ways. “Carlos was always fighting hard,” Devillers said. “In practice he was always playing hard and pushing everybody. He was real ly a leader.” The Ducks aren’t sure how they’ll replace Arriaga and Navar ro, but Jason Menke, a recruit from Portland, should help. “He is going to bring us a lot of experience,” Russell said. “He’s one of the top guys in the Pacific Northwest, from our back yard here. We’re excited to be able to attract those kids.” Both Oregon’s freshmen played in the top three of the lineup and each improved as the season pro gressed, giving Russell more rea son for optimism for the future. “If we stay on track,” Russell said. “We’re looking to start win ning in the Pac-10. Talentwise we can. It’s just going to be a question of how much the guys want it.” Ill Sox Office 346-4191 EMU Tickets $46-4363 Arena theatre \prit 28- May 1 May 6- 8 touch with Oregon this summer with the University of Oregon’s Geography Department. Geog 410/510 Oregon Field Studies (Fridays, Week 1-4) Geog 410/510 Oregon Natural Landscape (Fridays, Week 5-8) Geog 461/561 Environmental Alteration (MUWH, Week 5-8) OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL COURSES Natural Environment (Week M) Global Environmental Change (Week 5-8) Geography & Environment (Week 5-8) UO GEOGRAPHY*SUMMER SESSION 1999 QUESTIONS? CALL: 346-4555 M “34 years of Quality Service’’ Mercedes • BMW • Volkswagen • Audi German Auto Service 342-2912 • 2025 Franklin Blvd. Eugene, Oregon, 97402 ’99PJds Alcro GX Coupe *h$ioo°c^2-Si #2075 2.4 DOHC 4-Cyl, Cruise, AM/FM Cass, AC, Power Drivers Seat, 4 Wheel ABS, All Speed Traction, Pulse Wipers, Power Brakes. $16787.52 less GMAC rebate, less grad rebate $1000, plus $400 admin fee, for a net cap cost of $15,906.52. No money down, no security deposit, no first payment, $78 lie, title, and admin fee due at inception. Residual $9918. Total lease cost $7443.12,000 mi allowed per year. Option to purchase at lease i Rebate * now increased r to $1000! C^J> Oldsmobile ✓ jiLamai “Must be enrolled in 2 or 4 year college, univerity or nursing school, or be enrolled in post-grad program, within 6 months ol graduation or graduated within the past two years. Picture for illustration only. Expires 5/10/99 0LDSM0BILE • CADILLAC • ISUZU • SUZUKI EASYTOFIND AT VALLEY RIVER AUTO CENTER ‘3454511 • 1-800-530-1511 On your mark. Get set. GO!! To The... PEBSI OF fl * V Oregon Ducks vs. Washington and Nebraska Hayward Field Saturday, May 8 Noon First 2,000 fans receive FREE Oregon Track and Field Trading Cards. Show your student ID card for Free Admission to the meet. Need to get rid of that old computer? Get results with Oregon Daily Emerald Classifieds/ Call 346-4343!
