Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 25, 1995 TAG: 9505250038
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHRIS KING
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Coming off two victories on a Saturday, in which they allowed only six hits in 14 innings, the Highlanders needed only to win on the season's final day to capture their first Big South Conference title. Then the rain came.
A torrential downpour on Sunday delayed the decisive game by two days and, despite the fact the that sun was out on Tuesday, black clouds seemed to follow the Highlanders. RU issued 13 walks and was unable to generate anything offensively in a 14-4 loss to Towson State. The loss combined with Winthrop's victory over UMBC gave the Eagles the conference crown and, along with it, the opportunity to advance to the NCAA regional playoffs.
"To get that close and not win hurts, I really thought we were going to win," said Radford coach Lew Kent. "There is no question the rain hurt us, because we had the momentum [after Saturday's victories] and that means a lot in a series."
Though bitter disappointment was the emotion that permeated the Highlander clubhouse following the loss, the season wasn't a complete disappointment. For the first time in school history, RU captured 30 games in a season, and the seven seniors on this year's squad became the first group in school history to end their careers without a losing season.
Though the team had a successful season in light of what was expected - RU was picked to finish fourth in the conference - it did nothing to soothe Kent, who has visions of taking the program to another level.
"We have to win championships on the last day to bump up a level," said Kent, who was named Co-Coach of the Year in the Big South Conference. "I told our team I appreciated how hard they played all year. We had a tough non-conference schedule, and we got off to a slow start, but these kids never folded up or quit trying."
If RU is going to be playing for a championship on the last day next year, there are holes that will have to be filled. Of the seven seniors on this year's squad, two have taken their place in the pantheon of Highlander players.
Left fielder Duane Filchner will be remembered as the best hitter to take the field for RU, and he has the numbers to prove it. Filchner holds 11 career RU records, including batting average (.389), hits, runs, home runs and total bases.
"Duane was a great hitter, and he will get drafted [in the upcoming amateur draft]," said Kent. "He has been "The Man" for us in the middle [of the lineup] since he got here. We will not be able to replace him."
Pitcher Jim Abbott was the glue that held together what was at times a fragile pitching staff. Abbott put together the best single season pitching performance in school history. He was 9-2 on the season with a 3.14 earned run average, but more importantly was his performance in conference play. The right-hander was undefeated in conference action (7-0), with an ERA of 1.98, and he struck out 75 batters in 59 innings.
While Filchner and Abbott are the two most prolific players who will be leaving the program, they aren't the only ones who will leave a void. The entire starting outfield will be lost to graduation, including Bill Brennan whose clutch hitting in late season conference games was a key to the team's late surge. Also gone will be the starting second baseman, two out of the three starting pitchers and the team's closer.
"Those kids have seen a lot happen in their four years," said Kent. "They came here after a 30 loss season and brought this program to a level where it is respected."
Despite the heavy losses to graduation, Kent feels the team can contend next season. RU has received commitments from Shane Calaman, Tim Manwiller, Shane Reed and Chad Gordon, all four of whom are currently playing for an Alleghany Junior College team that is 45-2 and will participate in the upcoming JUCO World Series.
ETC. In addition to Kent being named coach of the year, Filchner and Abbott were named to the first team All-Conference squad and former Northside standout Kelly Dampeer was named to the second team.
Brennan, who chased base stealing perfection all season, was caught trying to steal third in the Towson series. The barrel chested outfielder had mystified on-lookers for most of the season by stealing 19 consecutive bases before being caught on his last attempt of the season.
Grant's Father: Calvin Hill, the former Washington Redskin and Dallas Cowboy who is now the vice president of the Baltimore Orioles, will speak at the RU Athletic Association's Annual Banquet Aug. 17. Hill will also serve as master of ceremonies as RU inducts the inaugural class into the RU athletic hall of fame. His exploits on the field and in the front office notwithstanding, Hill is now best known for being the father of National Basketball Association star Grant Hill.
Chris King covers sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River Valley bureau.
by CNB