Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, July 27, 1990 TAG: 9007270267
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SEATTLE LENGTH: Medium
America's pastime began Thursday night when the Soviets made their international baseball debut against a team of American collegians. The Soviets allowed four runs in the first inning, five more in the second and lost 17-0.
The game was called after 6 1/2 innings because of the 10-run rule.
Nobody thought it would be pretty, least of all the Soviets.
"The Goodwill Games tournament opener makes the U.S.S.R. play against the Americans, and let them have enough time to come to their senses after the game," reads the Soviet baseball brochure.
"They're coming along slowly, that's for sure," said Mike Hostetler, who played against the Soviets in 1988 while at Georgia Tech. "They're about the same as when we beat them 13-0 at Georgia Tech."
The Soviets did not begin to play baseball until three years ago, and there is only one baseball stadium in the entire country, in Moscow. There are no equipment manufacturers in the Soviet Union, and most of the players are converted handball players.
The United States, coached by Georgia Tech's Jim Morris, and Cuba, which generally is considered the best amateur squad in the world, cannot meet until the medals round.
While the United States was laying it on the Soviets at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, the Americans at Husky Stadium were superb.
Hollis Conway, Doug Nordquist and Tony Barton swept the high jump; Sandra Farmer-Patrick had no trouble in the 400 hurdles as Americans were 1-2-3 again; Kenny Harrison took the triple jump; and the men's and women's 400-relay teams were winners, as was the men's 1,600-meter relay team.
The United States went over the 100-medal mark when Farmer-Patrick led the sweep of the 400. She was trailed by Schowonda Williams and Janeene Vickers.
The three American medalists in the high jump were challenged by Sorin Matei of Romania, the top-ranked jumper this year. But Conway was the only one over 7 feet, 7 3/4 inches.
Nordquist, Barton and Matei all made 7-6 1/2, but Nordquist did so on his first attempt, getting the silver, and Barton cleared on his second try for the bronze. It took Matei three tries.
Harrison soared 58-1 on his last triple jump, edging Mike Conley, who did 57-4\ on his final leap.
Dennis Mitchell outleaned Cuban Joel Isasi at the finish to win the men's 400 relay in 38.45 seconds.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, who won the heptathlon with a subpar score, has an injured right leg and might miss the rest of the season.
Her husband and coach, Bob Kersee, said, "I would assume her season is over."
Other sports this weekend: Ice hockey begins today, with the U.S. team playing its first game Saturday against Switzerland; boxing begins Saturday; women's gymnastics starts today with the team competition; and wrestling begins today.
by CNB