Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 20, 1990 TAG: 9003172247
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV5 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: RAY COX and BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The number that continues to haunt Akers is "20," the total number of innings worked by right-hander Richard Myers, his most experienced returning pitcher.
"Going in, we're a longshot because of that lack of experience on the mound," Akers said. "I look for us to struggle early. On paper, it doesn't look pretty. But once some of these kids gets some playing time . . . "
At best, the Cougars figure to be middle-of-the-packers in the Roanoke Valley District. Defending state runner-up Cave Spring has the nucleus of a stout lineup returning and Franklin County should be approaching the strength it has shown for most of the past decade.
Yet Pulaski County, too, has for many years been known for the quality of its baseball. If some things fall into place for the Cougars, they could be a serious threat by tournament time.
But first, the potential negatives:
\ Pitching: Myers, the only guy who really resembles a hard thrower on the team, went 2-1 last year in a limited role. He's the most seasoned guy on the staff. That leaves the rest of the rotation in the hands of Tony Powell, a senior and a left-handed control artist; right-hander Jason Wolfe off the junior varsity; and Tommy Shepherd, a four-year starter as an infielder who has never pitched in varsity competition.
\ Catching: The incumbent starter, senior Robbie Sarver, underwent knee surgery this winter. Although everyone knows the crouching and physical wear and tear of the position is not the best way to rehabilitate a bum knee, it is hoped Sarver will be back by April. Meanwhile, the Cougars are making do with converted designated hitter Todd Jones and sophomores Darden Freeman and Rocky Huff behind the plate.
\ The corners: Mark Mills' hitting suffered when he concentrated on his infield play. So, a move to the outfield is being considered for him. If Mills migrates to the outfield, lightly experienced Eddie Murray and John Akers will battle at third. At first base, senior Greg Tickle can hit (.333 in 1989), but the question is, can this former part-timer do it for a full season?
\ Numbers: Only 20 upperclassmen came out for the team. Once the team is broken down to varsity and JV, the varsity figures to have only 13 players.
\ Power: Not much. This is a team of singles hitters.
However, there is a solid foundation on which to build. Particularly:
\ Up the middle: Provided that Jones/Freeman/Huff adequately hold the fort for Sarver at catcher, Pulaski County will be strong up the middle. The Cougars have a solid and seasoned double-play combination of Shepherd (.323) at shortstop and Ronnie Hamblin (.318) at second base. Sophomore center fielder Brad Burrus (.250) started as a freshman and appears to have the sort of potential not seen around here since Steve Alley.
\ The outfield: The trio of Mills in right, Burrus in center and Jason Greene (.333) in left could be dynamite, both offensively and defensively.
\ Cave Spring appears to have enough returning strength to make another run at a Group AAA Northwestern Region crown. Even if it doesn't win the region, Cave Spring can make it back to the state as the Virginia High School League has expanded all state tournaments to include regional runners-up.
Cave Spring coach Roger White, whose rookie season was about as good as anyone could want, says one of the main things for his team to be successful this year is to keep the pitching staff healthy.
Left-hander Mark Hazelwood, who was 7-2 with a 1.96 earned run average last year, returns to the team with Keith Spicer (1-0, 2.85) on the mound. Lenny Navitskis moves up from the junior varsity where he was 5-1.
"We must get the good senior leadership we had a year ago," White said.
That means someone has to replace Chad Beagle and Billy Terry, the premier players in the Knights' program. Beagle (6-1, 1.15) was the top pitcher for Cave Spring while Terry made second-team All-Timesland in the infield.
"The big thing is that we came together as a group last year," White said. "We played together as a team."
Jason St. Clair (.348) in right field, Tom Nelson (.349) at second and Jason Shafer (.362) in left field and centerfield give the Knights plenty of offensive punch. Shafer will supply some power. Dee Dalton (.336) is a good glove man back at short while Mike Fayed (.346) will move from designated hitter into an outfield spot.
Sophomore Mark Schwartz should supply some power at first. Spicer will play at third when he's not pitching.
\ Franklin County is led by designated hitter Chad France (.564), who was second team All-Timesland. The Eagles have four starters back to reverse what was an unusual losing year (6-11) for the program.
"Last year we had players getting hurt. We never did have the same lineup two games in a row. I think we'll be better than we were last year," coach Mason Ligon said.
Centerfielder Greg Sigmon appears to be a good hitter while Terry Arrington will add more punch at DH and infield. France will move to the outfield.
\ Patrick Henry probably has the best battery in the district in left-hander Kevin Gabbert (5-2, 2.50) and catcher Ted Lamar. For that reason alone, the Patriots will be a threat. The best returning hitter is third baseman Barry Shelton (.300), who is capable of both average and power. Lamar batted .290 last season and he is also capable of delivering some pop. Other than that, the Patriots are inexperienced.
\ William Fleming has five starters returning. Catcher Kevin Ringley (.300) is the top hitter, but there is no experienced pitching. Tommy Page (.250) played only five games in the outfield before sitting out the year with illness. This is a very young team.
by CNB