ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 30, 1996 TAG: 9608300038
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
THE AVALANCHE doesn't have much to play for in the final series of the Carolina League season.
The Salem Avalanche still is involved in the pennant race as it enters its last series of the season. Unfortunately for the Avalanche, it's as a spoiler.
Salem closes the 1996 Carolina League season with a six-game, four-day series against the Lynchburg Hillcats that begins at 7 p.m. today at Salem Memorial Baseball Stadium. While Lynchburg is a half-game behind first-place Wilmington in the Northern Division, Salem is buried in last place in the Southern Division.
The unusual, lengthy series includes doubleheaders at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The series and the season conclude Monday with a 7 p.m. game.
Avalanche catcher Blake Barthol was the lone Salem player voted onto the Carolina League's year-end All Star team. Barthol is hitting .296 with 13 home runs and 66 runs batted in.
Lynchburg outfielder Jose Guillen was voted the league's most valuable player, while Kinston left-hander Noe Najera took pitcher of the year honors. Kinston's Jack Mull was voted manager of the year.
Guillen is second in the league in batting and RBI (.317 and 85). Najera is 12-2 with a 2.73 earned run average.
Voting was done by league managers, general managers and the media.
Tonight is Fan Appreciation Night. Cycle Center in Salem will give away an All-Terrain Vehicle as part of a season-long contest.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB