THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, July 11, 1995 TAG: 9507110390
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ED MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
Old Dominion pitching ace Brett Wheeler, who has lost just one game in two years and owns the lowest earned-run-average of any returning pitcher in the nation, is transferring to Mississippi State, where he'll be reunited with ex-ODU coach Pat McMahon.
``I've always wanted to play for coach McMahon,'' Wheeler said. ``That's why I came to ODU, because of him.''
Wheeler, a Hampton native, was recruited by McMahon and played a year under him before McMahon left to become associate head coach at Mississippi State last June.
``He is very very close to Pat,'' ODU coach Tony Guzzo said. ``It was something he wanted to do and I'm happy for him that he did it.
``Obviously we are disappointed he's leaving. He was an outstanding pitcher but also an outstanding Tidewater pitcher. That makes it a double loss.''
Wheeler may not be the only loss for the Monarchs next season, Guzzo indicated.
``There's any number of possibilities. I can't confirm anything at this point,'' Guzzo said. ``As of this point, Brett is the only one that is definitely leaving.''
However, sources said that catcher Matt Quatraro and outfielder Brian Fiumara are also considering transferring, and that shortstop Daniel Almonte may also not return.
``I've heard rumors, but nothing definite,'' Wheeler said. ``I've heard people talking but I don't know why anybody would be leaving. I don't think it has anything to do with the team at all.''
The Monarchs finished 39-20 last season, winning the Colonial Athletic Association title and two games in the NCAA tournament.
Wheeler, a righthander, was 7-1 with an ERA of 1.48. He struck out 46 and walked just 13 in 61 innings.
The year before, Wheeler went 9-0 with a 1.51 ERA while striking out 71 and walking 12 in 89 innings.
Guzzo, who was hired last July, said the Monarchs were fortunate to have Wheeler this year.
``Brett wanted to transfer last summer,'' Guzzo said. ``It was so late in the recruiting season I told him I didn't think it was the right thing for the team. There were 25 guys counting on him coming back.
``We decided that if at the end of the year he wanted to go, there would be no questions asked.''
Wheeler said his decision to leave is not a reflection on Guzzo or Old Dominion.
``Not all all,'' he said. ``It was fun. We had a great year.''
Wheeler, a junior next year, will be eligible immediately at Mississippi State. NCAA rules allow baseball players to transfer without penalty, provided they receive a release from the school they are leaving.
Quatraro, Fiumara and Almonte were all juniors last season and would have one year of eligibility remaining at ODU. Quatraro hit .371 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs, all team-highs. Almonte hit .356 and Fiumara .305.
Guzzo said he would know in the next day or two the status of the three players, and declined to comment further until then. ILLUSTRATION: With his transfer, Brett Wheeler, who has lost just one game in
two years, will be playing again for former ODU coach Pat McMahon.
by CNB