THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 4, 1996 TAG: 9604030131
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jami Frankenberry
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Nansemond River pitching ace Grayson Craun was scheduled to return to the mound Tuesday against Catholic in his first start after suffering what coach Phil Braswell called a ``tired shoulder.''
Craun was a first team All-Bay Rivers District and Region I selection and a second team all-state selection last season after going 10-0 with an ERA just over 1.00 for the Warriors.
``He's throwing a lot harder and getting better location,'' Braswell said Monday of the senior. ``(In practice Friday) he pitched as good as I've seen him throw. His fastball was very lively and was very noticeable from before, so we're encouraged.''
Braswell, whose team was 2-0 before Tuesday, added that the coaching staff altered Craun's delivery so that it's less strenuous.
``We changed his delivery to take the stress off his shoulder,'' Braswell said. ``We put his arm in a position of strength instead of a position of strain.''
GAME OF THE WEEK: In baseball, Southampton faces Group AAA power Churchland today at 3 p.m. at Ocean Lakes High in the Legends Beach Blast Tournament.
The Truckers (2-1), ranked No. 4 in South Hampton Roads, boast three first-team all-district players from last year and are the favorite in the Southeastern District this season.
The Indians are led by pitcher-first baseman William Brown, an all-Bay Rivers District, all-Region I and all-state selection last year, and pitcher-shortstop Brad Davis, an all-district and all-region performer.
WHAT HAPPENED?: Nansemond River softball coach Jerry Varacallo's reply after his team committed seven errors for nine unearned runs in an 11-9 loss to York last week: ``We stunk.''
The Warriors (1-1) knocked off York in a Group AA state semifinal game last year before losing to Richlands in the state championship, but Varacallo said his team's veteran players made ``rookie mistakes'' against the Falcons last Tuesday. ``We just didn't play good ball,'' Varacallo said. ``Whatever opportunities we gave them, they took advantage of.''
Did Varacallo see anything positive in the loss? ``I thought we showed character in spurts and came back,'' said Varacallo, whose team scored five runs in the seventh before leaving the tying runs on base. ``It was just too little, too late.''
MORE SOFTBALL: The Nansemond-Suffolk softball team continues a tough early season schedule when it plays today in the Spring Classic Tournament at Booker T. Washington High in Norfolk. The Saints, ranked No. 7 in South Hampton Roads, take on No. 6 Great Bridge today at 3 p.m.; Booker T. Washington at 9 a.m. Friday; and No. 10 Oscar Smith at 3 p.m. Saturday.
The Saints (3-2) are the tournament's defending champion. by CNB