By Staff
Star Tracking …
June 2, 2001
ANAHEIM, Calif. Mike Rouse hit three home runs, including two in one inning, and drove in seven runs as Cal State-Fullerton defeated Mississippi State 13-2 in the opening game of an NCAA super-regional Friday night. The Titans can clinch the best-of-three series and a spot in the College World Series with a win Saturday night. Rouse started the Titans' eight-run second inning with a solo homer against Tanner Brock (7-2) and ended the outburst with a three-run homer. Rouse had another solo home run in his next at-bat, giving him 11 on the season. He also had a two-run double that made the score 13-2.
Seventy-two athletes, including seven from The Meridian Star's coverage area, have been chosen for the Mississippi Private School Association's All-Star Baseball Games today in Jackson. The seven locals selected are third baseman/pitcher Jeff Knight and second baseman Ryan Satcher of Lamar School, third baseman/shortstop Scott McInnis of Academy A State champion Heidelberg Academy, center fielder Wade Whitaker of Kemper Academy, Kyle Chaney of Newton County Academy, Drew Powell of Central Academy and Nathan Busby of Leake Academy.
June 2, 1997
It took six tries, but Petal's Leo Potvin is finally wearing a gold medal in sailing at the State Games of Mississippi. The sailing competition was sponsored by Union Planters Bank. Potvin won the gold medal in the cruising class competition Sunday at the State Games at Cove's Nest Marina on Okatibbee Lake. Tom Stuckman and crewman Will Roland won the gold medal in the Open Centerboard Class.
CHICAGO Everyone in the United Center knew the coaches, the players, the fans, the ushers, the ballboys. Everyone watching on television knew from Chicago to Salt Lake City, from Algeria to Zimbabwe. With 7 seconds left in Game 1 of the NBA Finals and the scored tied Sunday night, Michael Jordan was going to get the ball. He got it. He shot it. He hit it. Chicago Bulls 84, Utah Jazz 82. Jordan dribbled for most of the final 7 seconds, thrilled that the Jazz weren't double-teaming him. He went airborne a stride inside the 3-point arc, faded away slightly from defender Bryon Russell, released the ball perfectly and swished his shot through the hoop as the horn sounded. Jordan then raised a celebratory fist into the air, soaking in the cheers.
June 2, 1992
Junior left-hander B.J. Wallace has joined the illustrious ranks of first-round draft choices out of Mississippi State. In somewhat of a surprise, the Monroeville, Ala., native was picked third Monday in the annual free agent draft, going to the Montreal Expos. Wallace, who had been projected to go later in the opening round, was 9-3 with a 2.69 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 127 1/3 innings for the Bulldogs this past spring.
Ryan Satcher
Sports Faces …
Carlessio Blanks
The 2001 Meridian Star Football Offensive Player of the Year is looking to duplicate things in 2002. Carlessio Blanks finished last season as the second leading rusher in the state in Class 3A.
Blanks led the West Lauderdale Knights with 2,090 yards rushing off 269 carries with 26 touchdowns. The rising senior was also named the Region 5-3A MVP.
While the numbers will certainly draw attention, Blanks hopes that college recruiters won't focus their attention on another. Blanks stands just 5-feet-6.
Jeff Byrd