Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 31, 1990                   TAG: 9005310172
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CORAL GABLES, FLA.                                LENGTH: Medium

THE CITADEL: FROM CAMPUS GUTTERS TO COLLEGE SERIES

Coach Chal Port says that sort of discipline is a reason his Bulldogs are making their first appearance in the College World Series.

The national championship baseball tournament begins Friday in Omaha, Neb.

"At a military school, you're confronted many times with stressful situations, and it kind of conditions you," Port said. "We play very well in tight situations. I can't recall a time this year when we blew up. We got beat, but we didn't blow up."

The Bulldogs didn't even get beat in the NCAA Atlantic Regional. They won four in a row, including a 4-1 victory Tuesday over top-seeded Miami.

"They were very loose, very relaxed," said Ron Fraser, Miami's coach.

Bulldogs outfielder Anthony Jenkins, who hit .600 with two home runs in the regional, said the lifestyle at The Citadel is a good one for an athlete.

"It helps us out a lot because of the strenuous tests we get at school every day from the military guys about shaving and haircuts and things like that," Jenkins said. " `Clean your room and shine your brass and shine your shoes.' You know.

"You get upset about things like that, but you learn you have to deal with it."

The enrollment of 1,870 at the school in Charleston, S.C., is the smallest of the 48 participants in this year's NCAA Tournament. The campus regimen includes daily formation at 7:20 a.m., but when the Bulldogs are traveling they sleep in - and watch television.

"That's one of the reasons I think we play well on the road," Port said. "We're together and we're enjoying it."

Discipline isn't the only secret - after all, the Bulldogs are the first team from an all-military college to reach Omaha. Their 45-12 record is a result of good defense, a deep pitching staff and an opportunistic offense.

Jenkins is the primary threat. He is hitting .403 with 15 home runs and 67 RBI overall.

"Our talent level may not be as good as a lot of people out there," said Port, The Citadel's coach for 26 years. "But with our team together, the whole is greater than the parts."

Fraser, for one, wants to see the Bulldogs continue playing loose and relaxed baseball.

"I hope they go far," he said. "I hope they don't go out there and get all uptight with all the hoopla at the World Series, and get an opportunity to play like they can play. It'd be exciting to see them do that."