Page 146 - Phoenix2002-03

Wednesday, Aprill6, 2003 - Page 14 SPORTS Following March Madness, Craig Johnson describes the Tourney of the "Mascots" During a first round game between Utah Ali of this competition. He's a bad man. University and the University of Oregon at Pick: "The Deacon" this year's NCAA basketball tournament, a fight broke out between the mascots from "Big Al the Elephant" (Alabama) vs. "Alben each team. Things became heated when the Gator" (Florida) "Swoop," Utah's red-tailed hawk, who was on stilts, ripped off the Oregon Duck's over- In the biggest mismatch of the tournament, sized head. This incident sparked a brief victory is served on a platter when "Big AI" shoving match, followed by an animated ar- accidentally falls asleep during the fight gument between the costumed characters. This is the biggest meal "Albert" has had After hearing news of the event, [ got to since they closed down Sizzler, thinking: who is the toughest mascot out Pick: "Albert the Gator" there? So against this backdrop I bring you my Elite Eight of mascots from this year's Semifinals: NCAA tournament, and how I envision events playing out if they ever put the gloves "Sparry the Spartan" (Michigan State) vs. on and mixed it up. no holds barred. "Otto the Orange" (Syracuse) First Round: On the brink of elimination, "Otto" is driven to desperate measures when he administers Stanford "Tree" vs. "Sparty the Spartan" an ultimate wedgie, The lesson to be-learned (Michigan State) from this bout? Never wear chain mail un- derwear. 1 think this one is pretty self-explanatory. Pick: "Duo the Orange" Green Terror Baseball is "Sparty' has big muscles, lots of armor, and a sword. Think "Gladiator," the cartoon ver- "The Deacon" (Wake Forest) vs. "Alben the sion. The Stanford tree is, well, a tree. No Gator" (Florida) atop the Centennial arms, no legs, no chance. Pick: "Sparry [he Spartan" The old saying goes, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen." Of course the Conference standings Oregon Duck vs. "OUo the Orange" (Syra- Florida swamp is no place to be either. Home cuse) court advantage reigns supreme as dehydra- tion does in the old man. You've never seen a piece of citrus fruit this Pick: "Albert the Gator" tough. He's like Ditka with your recom- GREG LEDERER SponsEdilOr mended daily allowanceofYitamin C. There The Final: may be a lot of quacking and flapping, bill Despite poor weather conditions, the sponded with another 3 runs to tie the game in the end, this one's not for the birds. "Otto the Orange" (Syracuse) vs. "Albert the 2003 campaingn for the McDaniel College at 8-8 before darkness called the game. The Pick: "OUo the Orange" Gator" (Florida) baseball team has been one the program's Green Terror offense was by Geneas, who strongest ever. had 3 hits in the contest and 2 RBis. "Bucky Badger" (Wisconsin) vs. ''The Dea- Haunted by memories of his all orange diet Atop the conference with a 8-1- I, 13-4 McDaniel put on a dominating perfor- con" (Wake Forest) back in '93, "Albert" is unable to bring his overall record, the team is definitely a front mance against Washington College on April 2nd. "A" game. A suck:erpunch and a well- timed runner to lake the Conference crown in the This one was a tough call. "Bucky" is quick squirt of fruit juice to the eye seals his fate, coming weeks ahead. Down 1-0, the Green Terror used six runs and wiry, qualities that earned him an Ulti- as "Otto" walk away with the crown. Most recently, the team visited Allen- in the second innings and four more in the mate Fighting Championship two years ago. town, PA on April 6th to face conference foe, sixth to cruise to a 15-5 win. Junior Ryan But the Demon Deacon is the Muhammad Champion: "Otto the Orange" Muhlenberg College. The Green Terror con- Shotzberger hit a long home run and had tinued their strong play with a sweep in the another hit to lead the squad. double header by scores of 9-8 and 10-3. Senior Todd Huber and Kevin Kozak In the opening game, the Mules took the also had 2 hits in the contest. On the mound, lead early, amassing a 3-1 lead before senior Dave Roberts picked up the victory McDaniel responded in the fifth with a six for the team, yielding three runs over sixth run surge and held on for a slim 9-8 victory. innings and striking our seven batters. Sophomore right-bander Man Cornelius With the conference's best record at this picked up the win the Contest, and senior point in the season, the team is poised to right hander Mike Geaneas picked up the make a strong run at the Conference Cham- save. pionship. In the night cap, the Green Terror used another big inning to lead them to their I Ith win of the season. Want to take a fun day out Down 3-0, the team scored 8 runs in the top of the fourth to cruise to a 10-3 win on ~t the hall park? the road. Senior Jeff Starcher picked up the victory for the team. ickets can so expensive The squad looked to continue their strong play when they hosted bitter conference ri- hese, but the Phoenix would val, Gettysburg College on April 4th. In a ove to help you out. game controlled by offense, the teams wouldn't get to finish it as darkness canceled the contest with the score knotted at 8-8. f you share you experience McDaniel struck first with 2 runs in the first inning, spearheaded by a hard hit triple n a sports column in the from Oeaneas. The Bullets took the lead with next edition of the Pboenix, 2 runs in the second and third innings, be- he paper will reimburse you fore the Green Terror knotted the game again in the fifth, with another 2 runs. or your ticket. Gettysburg would take the lead back again, grabbing a 8-5 advantage going into the 8th inning, before the McDaniel re-