McInnis Will Start Donelan Or Ward in Brown Contest

Stuffy McInnis is a gambler who plays the percentages.

When the powerful Brown baseball team, flaunting a five-and-one record, trots onto Soldiers Field at 3:45 p.m. today, McInnis will have a Difficult time deciding whether to start, a) a man who has pitched a brace of two-hitters or, b) one who has not started this year and has performed only fairly well in relief roles.

The problem stems from the fact that the Bruins have five left-handed batters in their lineup. The southpaw-slugging outfield plus two lefty infielders have wreaked havoc among Eastern League right-handed pitchers this season. So far Brown has split two close contests with Rhode Island and over-ridden the University of Connecticut, Holy Cross, Pennsylvania, and Yale.

Right-handed Bob Ward, the two-hit specialist, has been McInnis' regular mid-week starter, while John Donelan has been starting the Saturday games. But Coach Stuffy is so concerned about the effect of five left-hand swingers on Ward that he may gamble on the one capable southpaw pitcher at his disposal, reliefer Spider Webb. Webb gave up five hits in five-and-one-third innings of firemanning against Amherst. As an added enticement to a gambling man, this move could save Ward for Saturday's contest against perenially-strong Army.

Bruins Have No Worries

Bruin coach Lefty Lefebvre has no such problem. Eager for a win over the Crimson, Lefebvre has his mound ace, senior Bill Hayes, ready for today's game. Hayes, a six-foot-two right-hander, slid a variety of curves and a good fast ball past Connecticut, Holy Cross, and Yale for a 3-0 record.