Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 28, 1990                   TAG: 9003272468
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV11   EDITION: NEW RIVER 
SOURCE: JEFF MOTLEY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: FLOYD                                LENGTH: Medium

FLOYD COUNTY SOFTBALL TEAM HOPES FOR A REGIONAL TITLE

"We definitely have a lot of young players that we will have to count on," King said.

"But for us to compete with Glenvar and Holston this year will be really tough."

The Highlanders and Tigers are the perennial regional powerhouses.

But Floyd County should be able to wrap up its own district title. Of course Galax is the only other team in the Mountain Empire District.

"We should beat Galax, but we're not up to the others' level yet," King said.

For the first time, Floyd County figures to have some depth.

"Last year we ended the season with just nine players," King said. "This year we have 19 total players and we are two-deep at every position. I can't ever remember having that luxury."

Although King will be counting on several young players, leadership will come from a trio of seniors.

Tracy McDaniel, who missed the end of last season because of a knee injury, will be the No. 1 pitcher.

McDaniel, now a senior, must replace graduate Terri Vaught, who anchored the Floyd County mound staff since its beginning.

Senior Dianna Blackwell will pitch and play second base. The speedy Blackwell will be the leadoff hitter.

Outfielder Melissa Johnson, the third senior, returns as the team's leading hitter. Johnson hit almost .300 last season and will have to provide a big bat for the Buffs.

Two of the younger players, Robin Gallimore and Melanie Penn, will play in the infield, but King said their positions could change.

Sophomore Christy Dalton will have to spell McDaniel on the mound.

"We do have some senior leadership, but the bulk of our squad will be the younger players," King said.

"We want to do well this season, but we are also building to keep the team and the program getting better to where it is on the same level as the other schools in our region. Once we get it there, then we want to keep it there."