Borders Discovers Fame Isn’t Fleeting

The day after Ila Borders became the first woman to pitch in a college baseball game life returned to normal on the Southern California College baseball field . . . for about a half-hour.

A couple of infielders came to practice early to take extra ground balls. The rest of the team showed up soon after and started stretching in the outfield, preparing for a routine workout.

But by the time SCC Coach Charlie Phillips gathered the team in the dugout for a talk before practice, a national television crew had set up on the right-field foul line.

Clearly, Borders’ presence has changed things around SCC. Borders, a freshman from Whittier Christian High, sat in a folding chair for a half-hour before a live three-minute interview on the ESPN2 cable network.

In the background, her teammates practiced, and Borders was obviously eager to get back on the field. But after handling questions from Keith Olbermann, Borders had to return a message to “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” which would like to have her on as a guest in the next few weeks.

The college also fielded calls from radio shows from throughout the country, a national news magazine, the New York Times and a movie studio.

There was even a message from someone claiming to be Yankee Hall of Famer Whitey Ford and a phone interview with Borders’ favorite radio station, KNAC-FM.

It wasn’t what Borders had in mind for the day after beating Claremont-Mudd, 12-1, in her first official college baseball appearance. Her thoughts were more on getting onto the track to help her body recuperate from the complete-game performance.

“If I can run at least seven miles, my arm will feel great tomorrow,” she said. “If I don’t, it will hurt.”

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Borders, who is handling the attention with aplomb, said she is more worried about what the rest of the Vanguards are thinking.

“My only concern is my teammates,” Borders said. “And if they are fine with it, then nothing can bug me.”

David Black, the pitching coach, said some players were upset with the attention she was receiving, but a team meeting held last week seemed to ease hard feelings.

Rick Homutoff, a right-handed pitcher, said Borders proved her mettle with the five-hit victory.

“Heck, they rose to the occasion yesterday,” Black said. “The cameras pumped everyone up.”

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Giant Bryant: Danin Bryant continues to be a bright spot in a sub-par season for the Southern California College men’s basketball team. Bryant, who is third in the Golden State Athletic Conference in scoring average (16.8) and second in assists (six), was named conference player of the week.

Bryant, a 5-foot-9 guard from Fairfield, Calif., averaged 23.7 points and 6.7 assists in SCC’s three games, including 35 in a 98-86 nonconference victory over Christian Heritage. The Vanguards are 13-14 and 2-7 in conference play.

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Mejer league: Concordia’s Gitte Mejer was named GSAC women’s player of the week for the fourth time this season. Mejer, a 6-2 center from Denmark, averaged 31 points and 14 rebounds as Concordia beat Azusa Pacific and lost to Point Loma Nazarene.

Mejer leads the conference in scoring (25.4 points) and field-goal percentage (63.5), and is second in rebounding (9.5).

Concordia (15-10, 4-4), with two conference games remaining, probably will finish in third or fourth place, giving the Eagles a first-round home game in the conference tournament.

SCC (21-6, 4-3), with three conference games left, plays host to first-place Fresno Pacific (18-6, 7-1) on Saturday.

With an upset, the Vanguards would have a chance to tie for second with Azusa Pacific (18-8, 6-3).

Notes

Chapman announced the hiring of two assistant football coaches this week. Dave Bishop, who was hired as director of intramurals, will coach the defensive backs. Gregg Schammel, who will also coach the golf team, will be the offensive coordinator.