Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 20, 1993 TAG: 9307200466
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Radford Coach Doug Linkous made that vow after the Dixie Pre-Majors (ages 15-16) baseball tournament ended last Friday at Calfee Park.
Radford had just seen its season end with a defeat in the championship game against tournament host Pulaski County - 6-1 in eight innings.
"It may be in the 17-18s [Dixie Majors age group]," Linkous continued. "But we'll be back."
And there is good reason to take Linkous at his word.
Two years ago, essentially the same team represented Radford in the Dixie Boys (ages 13-14) tournament at Independence. It lost to Carroll County in the final game that didn't finish until after 2 a.m.
Both years, Radford came up through the losers' bracket to reach the championship game.
But more importantly, the team has had fun along the way to its successful seasons.
"It's the pregame meals," said catcher-pitcher Foster Ridpath when asked to explain the team's success. "We're all together as a team. We get to eat and have fun."
Fun also is a priority with the coaching staff.
"I'm the enthusiasm coach and I keep the book," said Steve Lerch. "Basically my job is to keep everyone having fun. And I bring the sunflower seeds, the bubble gum and the cups."
The team's easy-going attitude even showed up in its choice for a mascot, Todd Griffith - the younger brother of first baseman Travis Griffith.
"He's always here," explained Mark "Cornbread" Franklin.
But 7-year-old Todd had other ideas.
"I'm not [the mascot]," he said while hanging around the Radford team members as they waited for the championship game.
Meanwhile, Travis Griffith wanted no part of determining his brother's status.
"He can be the mascot if he wants to be, I don't care," he said.
Despite the two losses in the double-elimination tournament, Radford finished with a 0.763 winning percentage (30-9-1) against teams from throughout the region.
More often than not, it was a high-powered offense that carried Radford to its victories.
"We do well if our hitting does well," explained outfielder Mike Lester. "We don't have a weak spot in the batting order."
Of course, success is nothing new for shortstop Matt Linkous, outfielder/pitcher Steve DeVault, first baseman/outfielder Jason Woolwine, infielder Derek Englehard, infielder Brian Cullaty, outfielder Eric Mekit, Ridpath, Griffith and Franklin.
All nine were with the Radford team that reached the finals in 1991. Having a history of playing together as a team has a way of helping communication on the field.
"We know each other," said second baseman Elijah Housel. "Some of us have been playing together since we were kids. We just know each other real well."
Added Matt Linkous: "We know what each person can do. If we make a mistake, we back each other up."
The coaching staff also takes an approach that helps build that teamwork and team spirit.
"We play everybody who shows up every [regular-season] game," said coach Rick Slaving. "We make that effort during the season. So during tournaments, when its win-or-lose, we don't have to put someone in and expect them to do something when they haven't been playing during the season."
This year, Radford lost the opener to Pulaski County 3-0. It won its next three games and drew the bye into the finals.
In the finale, Radford stayed in the game with defense. Catcher Ridpath made a diving lunge to grab a foul pop up. Shortstop Linkous caught a fly ball in left field while left fielder Woolwine slid underneath Linkous. And first baseman Griffith and third baseman Englehard both showed split-second reaction time to snare hard-hit line drives.
Meanwhile, Radford's offense banged out nine hits. But they could only push one run across the plate and lost when Pulaski County exploded for five runs in the eighth inning.
However, while defeated on the field, Radford was not beaten in spirit. And if its coach is right, everyone in the area will have to contend with Radford once again.
by CNB