Nagata sets NCAA homer record

Fleet-footed Nagata hit three inside-the-park home runs. Fleet-footed Nagata hit three inside-the-park home runs.This article appeared in the joke issue. In nearly every close game, Penn designated hitter Mark Nagata has been replaced by a pinch runner to add more speed to the basepaths. But yesterday, that didn't happen Quakers coach Bob Seddon has said the 1997 baseball team had much more speed than last year's, but he didn't expect that speed to be found in Nagata, a 5'10", 215-pound junior. "I've always said 'Watch out for Mark, watch out for Mark'," Seddon said. "He's got a set of wheels, I'll tell you. He's quick, you know what I'm saying? He's fast, too, you know what I am saying." As soon as Nagata finished brushing the dust off himself following an ugly Pete Rose-esque slide at the plate, he was immediately shoved back in the dirt by his teammates for a big pig-pile. Nagata was called safe, earning him his third inside-the-park home run. Of the day. Add that to a 485-foot bomb to dead centerfield, and Nagata hit a total of four home runs yesterday in a 4-of-4 effort at the plate -- the Quakers' only four hits of the game. The Ft. Myers, Fla., native tied and NCAA record and set an Ivy League one for most home runs in a game, as the Quakers defeated St. Joseph's, 4-3, yesterday at Latschaw-McCarthy Field to sweep this year's home-and-home series. He also tripled the former Division-I NCAA record for inside-the-park homers in one game. "He must have been running Mach 2 around the bases," said Penn track star Robin Martin, who was watching the game. Thanks to numerous bases on balls, Nagata was scheduled to bat fourth in the top of the seventh, possibly giving him the opportunity to bang his way into Penn immortality. But the game was called for darkness after six innings. Nagata charged at umpire Rich Garcia, but teammates Glen Ambrosius and Russ Farscht were able to restrain Nagata, despite his blazing speed. "I've been swimming the equivalent of three exits in the Schuylkill River every day," Nagata said. "I've strengthened and toned my legs that they even look good in pantyhose. That's why I was upset." Garcia could not be reached for comment. His phone number has been unlisted since the New York Yankees/Baltimore Orioles/Jeff Maier incident. "I could've hit five dinks," Nagata said. "Not even Mike Schmidt could do that." Nagata and the Penn athletic department plan to appeal the calling of the game. Penn track coach Charlie Powell also viewing Nagata's awesome accomplishment immediately went over to the speed demon after the game and pleaded with the catcher to join his sprint squad. "I am beggin' you Mark, you can't imagine how much depth you will add to our sprint team," Powell was overheard saying to a disinterested Nagata. "With you along for the ride, we are bound to sweep the Penn Relay's in the sprints in two months." Hours after the game ended Seddon, still fuming over the call, phoned the Daily Pennsylvanian to give his thoughts on Garcia's "asinine" move. "Sure, someone could have been hit in the face with a ball, but who cares?" Seddon said. "It happens all the time. Joe Carlon broke his hand and it was a beautiful day. In this case, the umps just screwed up. The kid could have hit five dinks!"