Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120403
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Spartans won the Group AA state high school softball championship while Glenvar claimed the Group A crown. But it's not likely either or both can do that again. James River, however, has a chance to follow the Highlanders' success.
Salem goes to bat with a new coach, Jim Wright. He follows Buddy Ward, whose Spartans went to the Group AA final two straight years.
"Buddy's a good coach," Wright said. "He taught me a lot, but I'm doing a few things a little different to implement my system," says Wright, who played softball in the Marine Corps.
Salem lost all its pitching from last year and will depend on Amy Atkins from the junior varsity, along with Rachelle Lytton. But the Spartans have a lot of offense coming back. Lytton, who batted .316, will catch when she doesn't pitch, and shortstop Michelle Harrison (.556), second baseman Kelly Robinson (.291), center fielder Yolanda Helm (.479, 24 RBI) and Shelly Armstrong, who will shift from right to left field, are returning.
Glenvar has back one of the two pitchers who helped the Highlanders win their second Group A crown in three years. Bobbi Jo Wright was 7-3 a year ago and was the winning pitcher in the state semifinal and championship games last spring.
Nikki Hall will be the other pitcher and will alternate at first base with Wright, who hit just under .500. April Watt (.380) returns at catcher, and two good hitting outfielders - Amy Moses (.300) and Denyse Anderson (.333) - are returning.
"We lost a whole infield," said Glenvar coach Spike Harrison. "I have the pitching and catching; I just wonder how it will fit together in the field."
Although Glenvar has been to the state tournament four of the past eight years and reached the semifinals three straight years, James River might stop the Highlanders' streak this season.
James River returns 12 players, and coach John Shotwell says this team could be state-championship caliber. The only loss was All-Timesland infielder Marcia Mundy, who tied for the area's batting championship at .667.
The Knights went 14-3 a year ago but failed to make the Region C tournament after losing a showdown with Glenvar 3-2 because a flip of a coin left those teams in the same bracket.
James River's hitters look like a collection of slow-pitch offensive players, who generally hit for higher averages than hitters in fast-pitch leagues. Only Roanoke Catholic, Roanoke Valley Christian and North Cross play slow pitch while other teams go the fast-pitch route.
James River's leading returning hitter is outfielder Belinda Smith (.750) who is joined by pitcher/first baseman Lorrie Hill (.511), pitcher/catcher Christy Rhodes (.478) and pitcher/outfielder Kara Mundy (.413).
"We hit the ball, and I'm strict as to whether it's a hit or an error," said Shotwell.
The pitching has a question mark, though the Knights return their entire staff. It sounds confusing, but Rhodes (1-0) started the most games. Wildness caused her not to finish, and Mundy (8-0) got all her wins in relief. Hill (5-2) is the other pitcher.
A look at the other teams:
\ CAVE SPRING: The Knights return Nikki Clowers, who will move from second to the left side of the infield, catcher Shannon Crowder and Angela Repass in the outfield. Jenny Callio and Renee Kopstein did most of the pitching as the Knights made the Northwestern Region tournament for the fourth time in five years. Coach Fuzzy Minnix says he has the best freshman crew, but his team will have to replace three infielders.
\ CRAIG COUNTY: The Rockets return four starters, pitcher Shelley Keffer, shortstop Betsy Boardwine, shortstop Joyce Dudding and second baseman Angie Hypes for a team that just missed making the playoffs by finishing in the top four of the Pioneer District. Little experience after that will make it hard for Craig to repeat.
\ LORD BOTETOURT: The Cavaliers were expected to be state contenders a year ago but floundered and were eliminated in the Region III tournament. The Cavaliers return hitters Karen Lee (.388) to left field, Ashley Moore (.455) to first, Mandy Sowers (.400) to short and April Wiltshire (.267), who hits with power, at third.
\ NORTH CROSS: The Raiders are the kingpins of the Blue Ridge Conference. They have been in the final of the tournament every year since 1979. They haven't won, though, since 1989. Blair Calvert (.520) will switch from third to short, Kelly Baetz (14-2) returns as pitcher, Erin Humphries (.480) may switch from first to third, and Kim Eubank (.400) is back in the outfield for coach Donna Satterwhite.
\ NORTHSIDE: The Vikings upset Salem in the district semifinals but didn't reach the regional. Heather Dent, who hit nearly .400, is back in left field. Other veterans are April Young in center; Andrea Herron, who was the second pitcher; Kristie Aashiem at catcher; Catherine Payne at third; and Shannon Yopp, the designated hitter, who will play third this spring.
\ PATRICK HENRY: The Patriots return five starters, including three second-team All-Roanoke Valley District choices - catcher Christi Hanna (.345), outfielder Cynthia Linkous (.290) and designated hitter Emily Pecoul (.335). Pitching will be strong but inexperienced with freshman Michelle King and Jodi Hyler coming from recreation-league softball.
\ ROANOKE CATHOLIC: The Celtics won the Blue Ridge Conference title a year ago and have a new coach, Connie Ratcliffe. No other information was available.
\ ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN: The Eagles will be very young with the loss of three veterans who have decided not to play. Stephanie Webb (.585) returns to first base; Amanda Tollis (.600) and Kimberlee Rakes (.424) are back in the outfield; and Amy Hickox (.405) returns to second base.
\ WILLIAM BYRD: Only three starters - pitcher Marcee Hufton, catcher Sharon Yeargan and outfielder Ashley McCallum - return from a team that finished 8-8. Tracy Daupnick, a freshman who has done well in recreation-league play, will be the other pitcher with Hufton, and the two also will play shortstop.
\ WILLIAM FLEMING: The Colonels return six players, including Tammy Litton, who was All-Roanoke Valley District for two years, at first base. Meredith Brewer moves from third to catcher while Stacie Reedy, a sophomore, will be the pitcher and shortstop when not on the mound. Natalie Campbell is back in the outfield. Behind this group are freshmen and sophomores, so depth could be a problem.
by CNB