SPORTS Sports Smorgasborg Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor and Spring-time Enthusiast Royals Baseball Hits Major Leagues Hass and Wagner selected in the MLB draft Brian McLennon, OP Sports Editor On June 6, Bobby Wagner and Kyle Hass of the Douglas College Royals baseball team made history when they were selected in the Major League Baseball draft. The two play- ers would be the first Douglas College baseball athletes to be drafted. The 6°3” pitcher and third baseman, Bobby Wagner was selected in the 34th round by the Anahiem Angels, while the 6’6” right-handed pitcher Kyle Hass was selected in the 36th round by the Seattle Mariners. Wheeling Off Two Big Wins Team Canada downs the Germans and the Dutch. Tim Frick, OP Contributor Team Canada women’s wheelchair basketball teamed played two excellent games today at the Pre-Gold Cup staging tournament in Bad Munstereifel, Germany, scoring back-to-back victories to guarantee themselves a spot in the tournament finale Sunday afternoon. After allowing an early basket in game one against Germany, the Canadians went on a tear, shooting 10 for 12 from the field and stopping the German attack with preci- sion switches and chair position. Ottawa’s Chantal Benoit opened the scoring for Canada with a tough shot while being fouled and then the foul shot to give Canada a 3-2 lead they would never relinquish. Edmonton’s Danielle Peers then scored a post up shot set up by Richmond’s Jennifer Krempien, followed by a nice outside bank shot to give Canada a solid early lead. A Germany time out calmed things down for a few moments but then Benoit and Fredericton’s Sabrina Pettinicchi found their scoring touch with a couple of baskets each sandwiched around 2 baskets by Calgary’s Kendra Ohama. The Germans, in front of a boisterous home crowd, could do nothing but feel their game sink as Benoit scored a side of the hoop finger roll to launch Canada well in to the twenties. The quarter ended 26-12 in favour of the visitors. Canada cooled off in the second quarter but answered the Germans basket for basket. Vancouver’s Misty Thomas entered the game midway through the quarter to provide an intimidating defensive presence, but it was her offensive potential that had the Germans in fits. Canada held the lead at halftime 40-24. The third quarter was a see-saw battle in scoring with the teams trading baskets as Benoit continued her scoring ways. The quarter ended with Canada up 63-39 and the Germans very discouraged indeed. In the final frame Canada held the Germans at bay to. preserve the victory with some solid ball handling despite a furious German press. Canada ended up winning handily, 71-52. After the game, the Canadians had about 20 minutes to recover, and then it was on to the match up against the Gold Cup host team from the Netherlands. Team Canada started well in the game as Misty Thomas broke through by giving herself a birthday present of two baskets to pace the attack. Her teammates joined in on the action to give Canada an early 21-15 lead and a solid grip on the proceedings. The Netherlands did able to claw their way back into the game with a tall lineup that pounded inside the key quite effectively. The Dutch couldn’t do anything wrong in ‘the second quarter and wound up ahead at the half by two points (35-33). The third quarter saw a Canada rally behind some solid defense. The Dutch were held to more difficult shots with some defensive adjustments as Benoit checked the num- ber-one Netherlands shooter into the ground. Canada was ahead again (5447) after three. The final frame saw Canada’s press hold the Netherlands to only two points in the quarter, but it was awhile before the Canadian’s were rewarding at the shoot- ing end. Radke, Thomas, Ohama, Harnock, Tritten, and Peers finishing the scoring for Canada, while MJ Boudreault came on in relief of Jennifer Krempien, who was in foul trouble. Canada won going away 68-49. The team’s outing impressed assistant coach Bruce Enns of Vancouver. “We showed really good heart and poise out there today with our ‘refuse to lose’ attitude, and our team oriented communication.” Assistant coach Trish Nicholson of Richmond concurred. “Playing back-to-back games in the heat and at such a high intensity level really showed our character and our strength as a unit of 12 solid players.” Next up for Canada will be the final game against host Germany for the event title, followed by a well-deserved day of rest in the picturesque town of Bad Munstereifel. Wrestling the World Steve Rose, OP Contributor Aso Palani, a freshman this year at Douglas College, just returned from a successful preparation camp for the upcoming Junior World Wrestling Championships. Aso traveled to Zakopane, Poland where he trained with and competed against wrestlers from Poland, Slovakia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Palani went an impressive four wins and two losses in dual meets on the trip. Aso will next compete in the prestigious Canada Cup in Guelph, Ontario from the July 7-14, where he will face the best senior-level athletes from Canada and around the | world. | Aso is gearing up to represent Canada at the upcoming Junior World Championships in Guatemala City, | Guatemala from August 26— September 4. |