ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996 TAG: 9603210067
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: E6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
William Byrd has been a baseball annoyance to everybody in the Blue Ridge District for so long that there is hardly a soul left who remembers when that hasn't been the case.
Everyone wants to do something about it, but none more than Salem, for whom the Terriers have been an insurmountable obstacle. That may change this year.
"I think we're capable,'' Salem coach Scott Atkins said. "But I sure don't think we're going to be doing anything until we do beat them.''
A portion of those Spartan hopes rest with catcher Ricky Eubanks, a solid hitter who Atkins thinks is the best defensive receiver around. Eubanks will be calling pitches for a staff that will include veterans Greg Harrison and R.J. Beckwith. Strong-armed shortstop Seth Moore may be called on for spot starts and to work out of the bullpen.
John Duffy should add some depth on the mound.
Moore and sophomore Sammy Lazzaro comprise one of the better double-play combinations in the district. First baseman Jeff Akers provides more veteran stability in the infield.
"Down and dirty and really going to have to work hard, that's how I see this team,'' Atkins said. "They're going to have to be tough-minded and go out and do what they're capable of.''
Byrd, of course, does not plan to go peacefully.
"This could be our down year, but until somebody beats us, we are still the Blue Ridge District champions,'' Byrd coach Rodney Spradlin said.
Byrd has a couple of promising young pitchers in left-handers Chris Manning and Joey Stinnet, but neither junior has pitched in what could be considered a big game. While they're getting their feet under them, veterans such as catcher Brian Jones (seven home runs, 32 RBI) and shortstop Ryan Caya, a three-year starter, will lead the way. Tim Sink in left field hit .340 a year ago.
Northside would like to think it has a shot in the Blue Ridge, too. A couple of three-year starters, Scott Booth and Tommy Huffman, both will pitch, play the field, and swing the sticks. Kirk Likens' 23 steals led Timesland a year ago, and James Martin had 17 thefts as a sophomore two years ago.
Lord Botetourt may sink or swim with left-handed pitchers J.W. Snyder and David Leonard.
"We're going to have to be ready to win a lot of close games,'' Cavaliers coach Chuck Pound said.
Franklin County is the team the rest of the Group AAA Roanoke Valley District will watch. The Eagles have Virginia Tech signee Gray Hodges in center and crafty lefty Larry Bowles on the mound and at the plate. More veteran leadership may come from catcher Ashley Moore.
The Eagles have been to the Northwestern Region tournament four consecutive years.
"It's a tradition our players want to continue,'' Eagles coach F.L. Slough said.
Patrick Henry, under the direction of second-year coach John Griffith, may have a new look.
"We'll be better than PH has been the past several years,'' Griffith said.
Reasons for optimism include a battle-tested double-play combination of shortstop Jesse Lucas and second baseman Dwayne Robertson.
William Fleming will have another underclassman-dominated team. The Colonels, who did not win a game on the field last year, will have a solid infield with shortstop Marcus Jones and first baseman Jason Clark. Trey Gunn, a three-year starter, is the team's most experienced player. Football sensation Lee Suggs plans to play baseball for the first time this year.
The primary challenge to Franklin County is likely to come from Cave Spring, whose roster is adorned with seven sophomores. Center fielder Abe Agee, left fielder Jason Fox, and slick shortstop Doug Kenney all have played a lot of baseball for the Knights.
Brian Staggs went 6-1 with a 2.14 earned run average for Cave Spring last year.
Perennial Group A power Glenvar may have its hands full this year. Shortstop Eric East (.426), outfielder Andy Shelor, and catcher Troy Henderson will carry a heavy load.
Craig County is likely to have its best team in years. The Rockets certainly will be deep in the infield with shortstop Kyle Crawford and second baseman Zack Sowers and right-hander Jamie Fisher.
"We'll have some depth, which will be nice for a change, Craig coach Mark Baetz said.
James River will be just the opposite with four freshman and two sophomores, which will make it a challenge to improve on last years's total of three victories. Pitcher Chris Firebaugh, center fielder Bryan Wiley and first baseman Tony Perkey are shaping up to be the team leaders.
Liberty may not win the tough Seminole District, but it will field players who know how to compete. Shortstop Gregg Reynolds and newcomer J.J. Coles were mainstays of the Minutemen's 1995-96 Group AA championship basketball team and also helped lead the football team into the regionals. Junior Cheyney Preston also will help.
Staunton River needs to find some pitching. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles will be counting on another big year at the plate by catcher David Eubank, and a return to form of shortstop Jason Morgan, the team's leading hitter two years ago as a freshman. Adam Nicholson and Jeremy Wright anchor an experienced outfield.
Mike McGuire is the only player who brings much experience to the mound for Roanoke Valley Christian, which may be one reason to suspect it's going to be another long year for coach Wayne Brooks' team.
North Cross hopes to return to respectability behind third baseman Brad Densmore and outfielder Allen Lawrence.
LENGTH: Long : 103 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Tow of the reasons for Salem's optimism for this seasonby CNBare hard-hitting catcher Ricky Eubanks (left) and Seth Moore, who
can play shortstop as well as pitch. color CINDY PINKSTON/STAFF