THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 2, 1995 TAG: 9506020697
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
Green Run, behind some timely hitting by Chip Basnight and gutsy pitching from David Abbott, downed First Colonial, 8-5, Thursday night to win the Eastern Region baseball final at Old Dominion University.
It was the fourth meeting between these two teams, which shared the Beach District regular season title.
The Stallions (23-2) now own a 3-1 edge over the Patriots (23-3).
But more importantly, Green Run earned the right to return to ODU Tuesday night in the state Group AAA quarterfinals, where they will face the Central Region's runner-up.
First Colonial, meanwhile, must hit the road to face the Central Region champion, also on Tuesday.
Midlothian will play either Mills Godwin or Dinwiddie tonight in the Central Region final.
``We figured if we lost the region final, then we'd have to go to Richmond where it would be their home field, their umpires and their crowds,'' Green Run catcher John Defere said.
So Abbott, who didn't have his best stuff, battled anyway, scattering 10 hits.
And although he teetered on the edge in the third and sixth innings - the Patriots loaded the bases both innings - he bent but didn't break.
``He did a great job of battling,'' Defere said. ``Anybody else might have given up in those situations.''
The Patriots led, 4-2, after their half of the fourth, with Nate Frost delivering a two-run single in the third and David Winter driving in another run with an infield single in the fourth.
Basnight evened matters, 4-4, with a two-run shot to center in the bottom of the fourth.
``He mashed it,'' First Colonial coach Norbie Wilson said. ``We've thought all year that he was one of their better hitters. It's a compliment to their lineup that he hits in it (seventh) where he does.''
In the fifth, Jason Healey doubled to left to drive in a run and chase First Colonial starter Matt Large. After Ed Manley came on in relief, Eric John hit a towering fly down the leftfield line that Brian Ruzzi misplayed into a two-base error, allowing Healey to score for a 6-4 lead.
Steve Tyler, who walked and reached third on Winter's double to the right gap, scored on a wild pitch in the sixth as the Patriots cut the lead to 6-5.
But Abbott delivered a run-scoring single in the bottom of the sixth and Defere followed with a sacrifice fly against reliever Parker Friske to make it 8-5.
Abbott (8-1) then closed the door in the seventh, striking out pinch-hitter Dorman Miner to end it.
The Patriots started Large rather than bringing back ace Jamie Booth, who would have been pitching on two days rest. Booth (9-1) will start Tuesday.
Abbott, meanwhile, came back on two days rest. Green Run ace Chris Elmore (9-0) will start for the Stallions Tuesday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Green Run infielder Chip Basnight dives to stop a ball hit up the
middle by First Colonial. Also, Basnight had a 2-run home run to
help Green Run win, 8-5, in the Eastern Region baseball final.
by CNB