THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604020146
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
The Tidewater Conference never has been known as a baseball league, but that is starting to change.
Greenbrier Christian and Nansemond-Suffolk won state championships last season, and Catholic was runner-up to the Saints. Three members of the 1995 All-TCIS team - Jeremy Elms, Eddie Gosman and Walt Bondurant - are playing college baseball this spring and two more should be next season.
Once again, Greenbrier, N-SA and Catholic look like the class of the conference. The Gators have won four consecutive state titles and have a pitcher, Nick James, who is receiving Division I attention.
N-SA has a legitimate ace in Mike Johnston and an all-conference infielder in slugging catcher David Putnam. Catholic returns six starters and could challenge for the title if 6-4 Eric Washburn develops into a dependable No. 1 starter.
A team-by-team look at the conference:
[The rest of this story is not available electronically. For complete text, please see microfilm.] by CNB