Berkman

HOUSTON -- Craig Biggio got his 3,000th career hit last night, and Carlos Lee's grand slam in the 11th gave the Houston Astros an 8-5 win over the Colorado Rockies. Lee's shot to left field off Brian Fuentes (0-3) came on the first pitch. Biggio singled in the 11th, tying a career high with his fifth hit. Hunter Pence followed with a double before Lance Berkman was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Troy Tulowitzki's bases-empty shot off Brian Moehler (1-2) to lead off the 11th made it 5-4. The loss extends Colorado's season-high losing streak to seven games.

This time, there will be no nightmares about crossbars hit in overtime, or saves that weren't made. This time, there will be no taskmaster coach goading his team by replaying the lowlights of a historic loss on a locker room television. This time, the pertinent question for Salisbury isn't what went wrong, but something more pleasant to consider: Is this the finest Sea Gulls team ever? Coach Jim Berkman and his Salisbury dynasty made it four NCAA Division III titles in five seasons yesterday before an announced 22,778 at M&T Bank Stadium, where they fell behind early, shrugged off a third-quarter tie and hammered SUNY Cortland, 15-9.

If you think Salisbury is going to get after SUNY Cortland in the NCAA Division III men's lacrosse final this afternoon, you should have seen the Sea Gulls compete last fall. Since April 2003, the only thing between Salisbury and perfection is an overtime loss to Cortland in last season's final. They'll give championship weekend at M&T Bank Stadium a rematch this afternoon, but avenging the demise of an NCAA-record 69-game winning streak isn't behind the top-ranked Sea Gulls' 22-0 record.

If Salisbury's men's lacrosse team had to decide between relinquishing the longest current winning streak in collegiate athletics or the national championship banner, there really wouldn't be a choice. The Sea Gulls are proud of their 69-game victory streak, which dates back more than three years, but the title is what they truly seek each season. "It's definitely something we're aware of," leading scorer Dan Boyer (Mount St. Joseph) said of the team's amazing run. "And we do think about it. But it's not our main goal, which is the championship.

SALISBURY -- An hour before Salisbury's NCAA Division III men's lacrosse quarterfinal game against Eastern Shore rival and ninth-ranked Washington College yesterday, there was one thing missing for the top-ranked Sea Gulls: their coach. Salisbury coach Jim Berkman had to be rushed from Peninsula Regional Medical Center to Sea Gull Stadium in time for the game. Berkman, who recently had knee surgery, has been dealing with a staph infection for the past few days. Berkman watched the first half from the Salisbury sideline.

When a team is at the top and stays there for a while, there is always criticism and finger-pointing. With each Salisbury men's lacrosse victory and national championship, there comes more innuendo and envy. It happens all the time to teams that build dynasties. Just ask the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Yankees and UCLA's men's basketball teams. The complaints and questions never stop for Salisbury coach Jim Berkman, whose Sea Gulls have won the past three Division III national championships and have a 54-game winning streak.

As the umpires huddled about 8 yards away, Houston Astros pitcher Andy Pettitte tried to stay sharp, soft-tossing to catcher Brad Ausmus, hoping to maintain the form that plowed through the Orioles' lineup for 5 2/3 innings. But in the five minutes the consultation lasted, something changed drastically for both Pettitte and the Orioles. When the bottom of the sixth inning of a scoreless game resumed last night, Orioles hitters suddenly didn't look so confused. Melvin Mora singled to score Larry Bigbie and Miguel Tejada slammed a two-run home run to give the Orioles a rare three-run lead.

HOUSTON -- The thousand-watt smile and powerful, compact swing of Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada were on full display last night before a national television audience. Asked to join baseball's annual Home Run Derby as a last-minute replacement for New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi, Tejada won the contest, setting two records in the process, before an appreciative crowd of 41,754 at Minute Maid Park. After swatting a record 15 home runs in the second round, Tejada defeated hometown favorite Lance Berkman of the Houston Astros in the championship, 5-4. "I never thought I was going to be in a home run contest in my life," said Tejada, whose total of 27 homers for three rounds also was a record.

Andy Murray has ascended to such faceoff heights for No. 1 and unbeaten Salisbury University that some have suggested the reigning Division III Player of the Year has a sixth sense. "It's like he hears the whistle early," said Sea Gulls coach Jim Berkman. To which Murray responds, "A lot of people tell me that." So just what gives? "He definitely has some innate ability or special talent to sense when that whistle is coming," said senior teammate and fellow midfielder Scott Simmons.

On Friday October 31, 2003 PEARL BERKMAN (nee Berkus) beloved wife of the late Abraham Berkman, loving mother of Dr. Aron Berkman and Paul Berkman, adored mother-in-law of Fern Berkman and Batya Berkman, adored sister of Carl Berkus and the late Lloyd, Harry and David Berkus. Also survived by six loving grand children and two great-grandchildren. Services were held at SOL LEVINSON & BROS INC., 8900 Reisterstown Rd., at Mt. Wilson Lane, on Sunday November 2. Interment Judean Memorial Gardens Olney, MD. Please omit flowers, family in mourning at 3215 Bancroft Rd. (21215)