Towson State
Tiger Tracks
Published exclusively for Tiger Club members
by the News and Publications Services
Wednesday, March 24, 1976
HOPKINS MAKES FOR TOUGH OPENING FOE
Johns Hopkins University, with a pair of games already under their belt, will provide the
opposition when our men's varsity lacrosse squad makes their 1976 season debut this Saturday
at the Blue Jays' Homewood campus at 2 p.m. The Jays opened their campaign last Saturday with
a 19-5 romp over Ivy League rival Yale, and Tuesday met Denison in a game that should have
provided Hopkins with their second win of the season. Our Tigers, meanwhile, faced the
University of Maryland in a scrimmage (our fifth), and Saturday's battle with Hopkins will be
the first under actual game conditions. The attack trio of Franz Wittelsberger, Richie
Hirsch,and Mike O'Neill is regarded as one of the best, if not THE best, unit in the country,
and our defense must be able to stop this talented trio Saturday. This was a task Yale was unable
to accomplish as Wittelsberger tallied four times, while Hirsch added three and O'Neill two more
as they accounted for almost half of the Blue Jay output. Dale Kohler, former teammate of
Wittelsberger at Calvert Hall College High School, is also a threat from his midfield spot, as
evidenced by his three goals last Saturday. Another strong point is goalie Kevin Mahon, who
is regarded by many as one of the best in the game.
The game this Saturday will mark the first meeting ever between the two Baltimore
neighbors in lacrosse, although Hopkins has been among the elite of lacrosse powers for many
years. Tiger coach Carl Runk isn't awed at the prospect of play ing the Blue Jays, feeling
that "That time has passed. There's too much good lacrosse being played today. They have
outstanding players and tremendous coaches. We're going to enjoy going over there, but there's
no question we're going to have our work cut out for us." OurTigers will go into Saturday's
opener almost 100% healthy, as only Tim Maher will be sidelined for three weeks with cracked
ribs. Following Saturday's battle, our Tigers will host Salisbury next Wednesday onBurdick Field
at 3 p.m., then play the first of three night games on Thursday, April 1 when we face Loyola
under the lights at 8 p.m. The Sea Gulls from Salisbury got their season underway with a
couple of wins, their most recent a 14-13 conquest of U.M.B.C. last Saturday. Our Tigers will
also host North Carolina (April 7) and Hobart (April 10) before facing a stretch of five road
games that will keep Runk's stickers away from home until May 1.
BASEBALL FACES LOYOLA IN '76 DEBUT
Our varsity baseball squad will be out to improve on last season's 15-19 record when
we travel to Loyola College this Thursday for an opening doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.
Tiger coach Charlie Field feels there is more depth, especially on the mound, than on any
other Tiger club he has ever had, and he feels the big question mark now is hitting. The Tigers
hit .266 as a team a year ago and lost five games by a single run. Field believes we will have to
hit around .280 this season to make any big difference. Mark Stover, an All-Conference center-
fielder, returns to lead a tough Tiger contingent. Stover hit .343 last year and topped Towson in
runs batted in with 20. He has been moved to second base this season, and will join John Liberto
(lb), Ted Keeley (3b), and Duane Coveil (ss) in the Towson infield. Jeff Herrick, Fred Burris,
Bob Pedlow, and Tom Long will join with senior Steve Wolfe in a battle for the three outfield spots.
Joe McGowan, transfer from Delaware Tech, will join sophomore Bob Edwards to give the Tigers
strength behind the plate.
Hal Bremmer and Rick Schaedel will return to lead the Towson pitching corps. Schaedel
posted the best won-loss record last year at 5-3, and had an ERA of 1.56 while tossing a no¬
hitter. Transfers John Doster and Lou Ensor team up with Jeff Bridges, Ozzie Schneider, Tom
Reese, and Howard Singleton to provide that depth on the mound that should make the season
—over—
