DATE: Friday, March 21, 1997                TAG: 9703200149

SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON   PAGE: 14   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:  158 lines

3 SCHOOLS HAVE STATE-TITLE POTENTIAL FIRST COLONIAL, COX AND SALEM COULD RANK AMONG AREA'S TOP FIVE TEAMS.

THE BEACH DISTRICT has captured three of the past four state baseball championships and with a break or two it could have been First Colonial each time.

The Patriots won the state championship in 1993 and tied for the district title with Green Run in 1995 and with Cox in 1996. The Stallions and Falcons went on to win state titles those years leaving Patriots manager Norbie Wilson feeling nobler for trying but still unfulfilled.

``I don't like losing even when I'm playing solitaire,'' Wilson says, ``but I'm proud that state champions have come from our district.''

With All-Tidewater outfielder Jeff Butler spearheading a potent attack and cool Chuck Coulombe the ace of another deep pitching staff, it could be First Colonial's turn again to compete for a state title.

``Our kids are hungier than ever and I really like our team chemistry,'' Wilson says.

Cox, led by state player of the year Jason Dubois, and Salem also could rank among the area's top five teams.

Elsewhere, Great Bridge starts out as a prohibitive favorite to win the Southeastern District. The Wildcats are ranked in the Top 20 by Baseball America and USA Today and are led by shortstop/pitcher Mike Cuddyer, who slugged 13 home runs last year and signed early with Florida State. Lefthander John Curtice, a potential high draft pick in June, is the staff ace.

Great Bridge plays at First Colonial on April 1 and meets Cox at Ocean Lakes on April 2.

In the Eastern District, Lake Taylor returns redoubtable lefthander Robby Fair and a host of starters.

A team-by-team look at the Beach District:

First Colonial

Coach: Norbie Wilson

Last year: 19-6 overall, 15-2 district

Top players: Jeff Butler (Sr., OF, .487 BA, 7 HR); Steve Tyler (Sr., SS, Matt Large (Sr., P/1B, 3-2, 2.63 ERA); Tim Jones (So., 2B, .456 BA, 19 RBIs)

Outlook: Butler, a big-time talent apparently headed for junior college, hit for the cycle, including a grand slam, in a scrimmage against Denbigh. Tyler is a winner at shortstop and will combine with Jones, a transfer from Tallwood, to form a potent doubleplay combination. Coulombe isn't overpowering, but has the makeup of a true staff ace. If Large and Friske come through the Patriots can make a run at the state title.

Salem

Coach: Pete Zell

Last year: 11-11 overall, 9-7 district

Top players: Justin Coles (Sr., 3B); Matt Tyl (Jr., OF/P, .378 BA); Jason Harrison (Jr., OF/P, .310 BA); Bryan Thompson (Jr., C, .352 BA); Josh Owens (Jr., P/1B/OF, 4-0, 2.12 ERA); Chris Sherry (Jr., P/1B/OF, 2-2)

Outlook: The Sun Devils are everybody's darlings to move up, including Zell's. ``Young, but experienced! Good pitching depth! Strong catching and outfield! Team speed. Great senior leadership. . . very promising junior class. . . Expect an exciting year!'' he wrote on his preseason information form. Tyl made second-team and Thompson was honorable mention All-Beach last year.

COX

Coach: John Ingram

Last year: 27-1 overall, 16-1 district

Top players: Jason Dubois (Sr., P/OF, 10-0, 1.23, .482, 7 HR); Scott Magnuson (Sr., OF); Jeff Alberts (Jr., SS/P); Matt McDonnal (Jr., IF/P); Chris Marinak (Jr., OF/P); Jason Cortellini (Sr., IF); Mike Johnson (Jr., 2B)

Outlook: The Falcons won't bludgeon teams like last year when they averaged 11 runs per game. But they won't have to when Dubois is on the mound. The rest of the staff is promising but unproven, led by 6-5 junior Marinak, the ace of a champion JV team. Alberts, who transferred from Catholic, will fill Tim Lavigne's role as shortstop and closer.

Princess Anne

Coach: Paul Shows

Last year: 6-12 overall, 6-10 district

Top players: John Abelon (Sr., 1B/P, .260 BA, 3 HR); Matt Tonelson (Sr., 3B/2B, .340 BA); Todd Blake (Sr., 2B/P, .300 BA); Andre Corpuz (Jr., SS/P,

Outlook: A top-four finish isn't out of the question. Cavallo is ready to be a No. 1 starter and there is no shortage of arms behind him. Offensively Corpuz, Abelon and Tonelson will bat 2-3-4 and produce plenty of runs. Blake, a terrific glove, and Corpuz, an all-around prospect, patrol the middle of the infield. Abelon provides long-ball power.

Tallwood

Coach: Ray Barlow

Last year: 9-13 overall, 7-9 district

Top players: Jay Doll (Sr., P/SS, .355); Chris Miller (OF/P); Keith Esola (C); Nate Story (P/IF); Justin Ruffin (OF)

Outlook: The Lions have lots of good arms, but no proven starters. Doll, a three-year letterman, is the best player and he's needed at shortstop. Barlow is optimistic and he's won big before. If someone steps up on the mound Tallwood could make the top four.

Kempsville

Coach: Todd Perdue

Last year: 12-11 overall, 8-8 district

Top players: Robbie Morrow (Sr, 1B, .278 BA); Stephen Hatcher (Jr., C); Richie Rivera (So., SS); Josh Tellefsen (Sr., 3B); John Cutrell (Jr., P/1B); Jon Lleces (Jr., P).

Outlook: The Chiefs were an offensive machine last year and still finished 12-11. So it's all about pitching for them. Perdue is counting on Cutrell, a junior returning from shoulder injury to nail down a spot in the rotation. If Lleces, a hard thrower with no varsity experience, wins the other spot - look out.

Kellam

Coach: Jim Moxey

Last year: 4-16 overall, 2-14 district

Top players: Mike Costa (Sr., C, .313 BA); Beau Ellrich (Sr., P, .375 BA); Matt Hankins (Sr., IF, .288 BA); Jason McCartney (Sr., C/OF, .325 BA); Jason Brady (Jr., P/OF, 2.74 ERA)

Outlook: If you're looking for a true darkhorse pick the Knights. Five starters are back, including four who batted at least .288. But what separates the Knights from a lot of hopefuls is pitching. Brady pitched well in a late-season loss to First Colonial last year; Beau Ellrich enjoyed limited success, as well.

Ocean Lakes

Coach: Gary Spedden

Last year: 13-9 overall, 9-7 district)

Top players: Chad Cloutier (Sr., C, .320 BA); John Simon (Sr., P/OF, 3-2); Eric Snyder (So., SS/2B, .267 BA); Marc St. Clair (Sr., 2B); Rob Connors (Sr., OF/P); Josh Downing (3B/P)

Outlook: With only three starters back even the estimable Spedden will be pressed to produce another winner. At least he has an experienced pitcher in Simon to start with. Expect Spedden to use all his resources - bunting and running - to build an offense.

Green Run

Coach: Mike Mungin

Last year: 4-16 overall, 3-13 district

Top players: Brian Buttolph (Sr., P/OF); Brian Harvey (Sr., 3B/P); Nate Stiefel (Sr., 1B/OF); Casey Ireland (Jr., 2B/OF); David Hart (Sr., P/SS); Keith Capaccio (P/C/3B)

Outlook: Mungin, a former Princess Anne standout who pitched in the Oakland A's minor league system until injuring his arm, will try to guide the Stallions back to glory. He has a solid core of returning starters, but his progress will be measured in how quickly he develops the pitching.

Bayside

Coach: Terry Gowin

Last year: 7-14 overall, 6-10 district

Top players: Dan Harris (Sr., C/1B); Cameron Michanowicz (Sr., OF/P); Mike Wade (Sr., OF)

Outlook: The three seniors are solid players, but after them it's rebuilding all the way. Look for plenty of sophomores and even some freshmen to start. matching last year's record will be a feat. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by MIKE HEFFNER

Senior Jason Dubois, state player of the year, is Cox High School's

star pitcher. Cox will play at Ocean Lakes on April 2. KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

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