ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607250075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER, JR. STAFF WRITER
For John Giudice, the latest Salem Avalanche ninth-inning rally wasn't as much an act of heroism as it was a slice of redemption.
When Giudice roped a first-pitch fastball from Frederick Keys' fireballing reliever Francisco Hernandez into right field to plate the winning run in Salem's 5-4 victory, it was the final act of atonement on a night that saw the Avalanche try its very hardest to waste the best pitching performance it has seen in awhile. (Box score in Baseball Scoreboard.)
That would be the 8 2/3-inning job it got from Mike Kusiewicz, a guy also undergoing the healing process. The left-hander, who came to Salem after shoulder tendinitis hindered his progress at Double A New Haven (Conn.), was one pitch away from getting through the ninth, but a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double from Frederick's Craig Daedelow gave the Keys a 4-1 lead.
Considering that Salem had run itself out of several scoring opportunities with some preposterous baserunning that has strangely become standard for the team and considering, too, that hulking Frederick closer Alvie Shepherd was taking the mound, it appeared that Kusiewicz would get a loss despite having allowed only four hits over the first eight innings.
``He pitched an unbelievable game,'' said Giudice, who got hung up between first and second base on a first-inning steal attempt that resulted in Garrett Neubart being nailed at the plate.
``We should have had a two- or three-run lead for him. Some baserunning blunders had Moose [Salem manager Bill McGuire] ticked off. He got a no-decision, but he deserves all the credit.''
Todd Genke (6-6) retired one batter and was made a winner by the Avalanche's second ninth-inning rally on this homestand. Salem (13-18) beat Wilmington 5-4 with three ninth-inning runs on July 19.
Leading 4-1, Shepherd gave up a hit to Mike Higgins to start the rally, walked Link Jarrett and gave up a bloop double to Neubart that scored a run and prompted acting Keys manager Tom Trebelhorn to call on Hernandez (3-2). Kyle Houser slapped a single to right to score both runs, with Neubart sliding past the plate then scrambling back to touch the plate before catcher Adam McCollough could recover.
``I beat the tag,'' said Neubart, who had three hits. ``Both times.''
Trebelhorn argued with home plate umpire Mike Billings to no avail. Giudice, who was one of Hernandez's victims when he fanned the side in the ninth on Tuesday, hit a first-pitch fastball to right - the third straight opposite-field hit - to win it.
``Last night, he struck me out on an outside fastball,'' said Giudice. ``Tonight, I went with it.''
SNOWBALLS: Frederick third baseman Rick Short was 0-for-4, ending his club-record hitting streak at 22 games. Avalanche outfielder Ronnie Hall, who went on the disabled list with a strained shoulder on April 27, will not play again this year and has left the team to continue his rehabilitation. ... Frederick shortstop Chip Lawrence's dad, Ed, is the director of umpiring for the National Association of Professional Leagues. In short, his dad is the boss of every umpire in the Carolina League. ... Charlotte Hornets sharpshooter and former Virginia Tech star Dell Curry was at the ballpark as a guest of Roanoke College coach and former Hokie teammate Page Moir.
LENGTH: Medium: 65 linesby CNB