Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 12, 1994 TAG: 9406140102
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
East did just fine, which was no surprise to Wood.
"If he keeps working at it, then I think he's going to be a legitimate prospect," Wood said.
As it was, East batted second and was the cornerstone of the Highlanders' infield as they won their second consecutive Group A Region C title. And he is the Timesland Sizzling Sophomore of the Year.
"It turned out to be a pretty good year," East said. "I started off slow, but I came on later."
East hit .461 with 28 hits and 26 runs scored and was successful on all 15 of his stolen-base attempts. A superior athlete (he gained almost 1,000 yards as a starting tailback for Glenvar's football team last fall), East probably had, by Wood's reckoning, 12 bunt base hits.
In a further demonstration of maturity beyond his years, East walked 16 times.
"I try to get ahead in the count so that he'll either have to throw me a better pitch to hit or give me a walk," he said. "I also scoot up closer to the plate and choke up on the bat because it's easier to see balls and strikes that way."
East loses some power with such tactics, but he makes it up by getting on base a lot. Wood plans to move him to leadoff hitter next season.
If East has had growing pains, it's been at shortstop, where he's had seven errors.
"I need to work on my throwing," he said. "But I'll get better."
East also played the outfield on occasion.
"I played third base all last year," East said. "I hadn't played shortstop since I played recreation ball. Playing on a bigger diamond in high school makes shortstop tougher."
Players seem to be getting better at earlier ages with each passing year. Next year will have another terrific sophomore class in Timesland headlined by Grayson County's Wes Self.
Self went 8-1 with a 0.85 earned run average, 95 strikeouts and eight walks in 57 innings pitched. He pitched a no-hitter. This wasn't against second-tier competition, either. He was the Blue Devils' top pitcher, and he drew the toughest assignments.
by CNB