THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 21, 1995 TAG: 9506170436
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: 1995 ALL-TIDEWATER
BASEBALL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 146 lines
After finishing his high-school pitching career with an 18-0 record and leading Green Run to the state Group AAA championship, what will Chris Elmore do for an encore?
A lot, apparently.
He will pitch in the East-West Coaches Association All-Star Game July 12 in Hampton.
Then he flies to Colorado Springs to play in the U.S. Olympic Festival for the East squad, July 22-26.
On July 30, there's the American Legion All-Star Game at Harbor Park, part of a doubleheader with the Norfolk Tides and Toledo Mudhens.
In the fall, the University of North Carolina awaits.
Why all the fuss over this lanky lefthander?
Have you seen his curveball?
As a senior, he capped an 11-0 record with a 17-strikeout performance in the state Group AAA championship game, allowing one hit in a 3-1 victory over Halifax County.
In 79 innings, Elmore struck out 115, walked 22 and allowed 25 hits.
``There've probably been a couple times when I could have picked up a loss,'' said Elmore, who posted a 0.52 earned run average as a senior. ``We were down 4-2 to Atlee last year when I got pulled. But we came back to win. Then last year we went extra innings against Cox. I've gotten some breaks.''
Elmore is also an accomplished first baseman who could have made the All-Tidewater team as an infielder if he hadn't grabbed one of the two pitching positions. He hit .381 while sure-handedly manning first base when not pitching.
His play at both positions made him The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star player of the year, an honor he gunned for.
``I cut out (1994 player of the year) Jimmy Anderson's picture from a year ago and hung it on my wall,'' Elmore said. ``It was kind of an inspiration for me.''
For the second straight year, two lefthanders highlight the All-Tidewater pitching staff.
Jamie Booth, who signed with Radford University in the fall, posted a 10-1 record with a 1.25 ERA. Booth struck out 102 in 72 2/3 innings, walking 25 and allowing 43 hits. He no-hit Tallwood to end the regular season, giving First Colonial a tie for the Beach District regular-season title with Green Run.
Behind the plate is Western Branch senior Nick Ardagna, who hit .486 with four home runs and drove in 24 runs. Ardagna has signed with Old Dominion University.
The infield includes Green Run's David Abbott, Churchland's Gary Denette, Great Bridge's Mike Cuddyer and Norfolk Christian's Jeremy Elms.
Abbott hit .473 with 44 runs batted in and 15 doubles. When not lending a sure hand at shortstop, the senior was Green Run's No. 2 pitcher, posting a 9-1 record with a 0.82 ERA. His last start was his best as he no-hit First Colonial in the state semifinals. He has not committed to a college.
Denette, a fiery second baseman, led the Truckers in batting (.490), hits (25), runs batted in (16), slugging percentage (.588) and on-base average (.566). Denette plans on playing at Christopher Newport University.
Elms, a lefthanded-hitting shortstop, was Tidewater Conference player of the year, hitting .583 with a 1.083 slugging percentage. Of his 35 hits during the season, 17 were for extra bases, including five home runs. Elms, undecided on his college plans, finished the year with a 16-game hitting streak.
Great Bridge's Mike Cuddyer, another shortstop/pitcher, rounds out the infielder selections. Cuddyer, a sophomore, hit .364 with 14 RBI and 15 runs scored. Cuddyer was also 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA, striking out 59 is 53 1/3 innings.
The outfield is highlighted by First Colonial senior leadoff man David Winter, who hit .425 and stole 13 bases. Winter, undecided on his college plans, was just as dangerous in the field, where a powerful arm helped record six assists.
Winter is joined by Kellam junior Tim Walston, who hit .353 with 22 RBIs and a first-team best of seven home runs.
Also in the outfield is repeat first-team selection Derek Riebel of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. Riebel, who's headed for Virginia Tech, hit .435 with 21 runs batted in, 22 stolen bases and three home runs.
Lefthanded catcher Jason Dixon earned the designated hitter spot, which he filled on eight occasions for Lake Taylor. Dixon, who has signed with Norfolk State, hit .450, had eight doubles, three triples and a home run and drove in 30 runs.
In the utility position is Cox sophomore Jason Dubois, who played first base, rightfield and pitched for the Falcons. Dubois hit .476 with six doubles, six triples, two home runs and 26 RBIs. He was 4-5 with a 1.91 ERA as a pitcher, striking out 66 in 58 2/3 innings, with no-hitters against Maury, Bayside and Tallwood. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
PAUL AIKEN/Staff
Player of the Year
Chris Elmore, Green Run, Sr., Pitcher
Jamie Booth
Nick Ardagna
David Abbott
Gary Denette
Jeremy Elms
Mike Cuddyer
David Winter
Tim Walston
Derek Riebel
Jason Dixon
Jason Dubois
Graphic
FIRST TEAM
Player of the year
Chris Elmore, Green Run, Sr., Pitcher
Jamie Booth, First Colonial, Sr., Pitcher
Nick Ardagna, Western Branch, Sr., Catcher
David Abbott, Green Run, Sr., Infield
Gary Denette, Churchland, Sr., Infield
Jeremy Elms, Norfolk Christian, Sr., Infield
Mike Cuddyer, Great Bridge, Soph., Infield
David Winter, First Colonial, Sr., Outfield
Tim Walston, Kellam, Jr., Outfield
Derek Riebel, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Sr., Outfield
Jason Dixon, Lake Taylor, Sr., DH
Jason Dubois, Cox, Soph., Utility
SECOND TEAM
David Bailey, Indian River, Sr., Pitcher
Matt Hemmis, Western Branch, Sr., Pitcher
John Defere, Green Run, Sr., Catcher
Jeff Gathings, Tallwood, Sr., Infield
Gene Mugler, Green Run, Sr., Infield
Aaron Ambrose, Maury, Jr., Infield
Pat Abelon, Ocean Lakes, Sr., Infield
Francis Delcarmen, Tallwood, Sr., Outfield
Mark Fowler, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Sr., Outfield
Keith Reynolds, Indian River, Jr., Outfield
Mike Oliphant, Great Bridge, Sr., Utility
Frank Thompson, Granby, Sr., DH
by CNB