ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 11, 1997 TAG: 9704110078
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN THE ROANOKE TIMES
Scott Randall pitches six innings of no-hit ball, but fails to earn the Avalanche's first victory.
The Salem Avalanche and pitcher Scott Randall had something in common before the first game of Thursday's baseball doubleheader at Memorial Stadium.
Both had done a lot of work yet had nothing to show for it. After the first game, however, their common bond was broken. Salem had its first victory of the season and Randall was left with nothing, aside from another good story to tell his grandchildren one day.
The Avalanche got its first victory of the Carolina League season 1-0 over the Wilmington Blue Rocks as Randall and reliever Lariel Gonzalez combined for a no-hitter.
``Perfect. That's a good word for it,'' said Salem shortstop Kyle Houser, who delivered the game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs. ``We needed this one.''
The victory met the needs of every member of the Avalanche entourage. But Randall had to be left feeling like something still was missing. It was the second time in the past year he earned a no-decision on a no-hitter. On August 14, 1996, Randall threw 11 innings of no-hit ball for the Asheville Tourists, the Colorado Rockies' farm team in the South Atlantic League. Randall pitched the Tourists' first no-hitter and won on July 17.
Gonzalez, who said through his interpreter/catcher Gilbert Vidal that he didn't even know there was a no-hitter on the line, pitched the seventh and earned the victory. Wilmington reliever Jose Santiago came on in the seventh and took the loss.
Salem manager Bill McGuire and pitching coach Bryn Smith pulled Randall after six innings because he had thrown 84 pitches and his Rockies-mandated limit was 90. ``I figured I would get pulled,'' said Randall. ``I understand what they are doing. It's for my own good.''
The victory did a lot of good for the team's spirits. They were lifted even higher later when Salem won the second game 3-2.
Tied 2-2 after seven innings, the Avalanche won in the eighth as its first two batters, David Feuerstein and Jamie Taylor, reached base. Both advanced on a sacrifice bunt by designated hitter Rod Bair.
Wilmington catcher Roman Escamilla called for an intentional walk of the next batter, Vidal. When reliever Marc Phillips threw the first pitch, however, it glanced off Escamilla's glove and to the backstop.
Feuerstein came home for the 3-2 win and the Blue Rocks (3-4) left town with a series split.
In the first game, Link Jarrett walked with one out in the bottom of the seventh and was sacrificed to second on a bunt by center fielder Garrett Neubart, who went hitless in a game for the first time this season.
There were two outs and two strikes on Houser when he knocked Jarrett home with a curling liner to center.
It provided a dramatic ending to an exciting game, especially for Randall.
``Trying to stay positive after five losses gets difficult,'' said Randall. ``This is much more fun.'' NOTE: please see microfilm for statistics.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Randall. color.by CNB