Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990 TAG: 9005220210
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
"We'll be in the whirlpool until then," Graham said.
Provided they don't wrinkle up like prunes, that trio will have to dry off in time to play ball 5 p.m. Wednesday at Tazewell. Christiansburg wouldn't be playing if it hadn't been for them.
Or perhaps, if not for them, the Demons still might be playing John Battle. It took 12 innings Monday before Christiansburg pulled out a 5-4 come-from-behind victory in the opening round of the Group AA Region IV tournament.
In the other opening-round game, Graham beat Carroll County 5-4 at Hunneycutt Field in Princeton, W.Va.
A one-out, bases-loaded error by the John Battle shortstop on Scott Lucas' grounder enabled Christiansburg to score the winning run.
The contributions from Graham, Royal and Self - all seniors - were almost too many to count, but a few of them:
Self worked all 12 innings as the catcher, making a game-saving play at the plate in the 12th as Chris Burnette tried to steal home with two out. "I was waiting on him," Self said. "He was out by a good 5 feet."
Royal started and pitched 6 innings, scattering six hits and allowing three runs. He also had a a run-scoring single, a double and a run scored. Then, when Graham relieved him, Royal moved to center field, where he made a sensational leaping catch while prone to the ground to preserve a 4-4 tie in the eighth.
Graham, who pitched seven innings Friday to blank Carroll County in the New River District championship, came back on two days' rest and pitched 5 innings, giving up three hits, no runs and striking out eight. Graham also made five putouts in center field and went 4-for-5 (batting ninth) with an RBI. He stole two bases and scored the tying run in the bottom of the seventh.
Graham the pitcher also made a brilliant defensive play in the 12th, snagging Kevin Wilson's screamer to the box with men on second and third. Self then made his play at the plate to end the inning.
"That play by the pitcher [Graham] killed us," Battle coach Don Pridemore said. "That gets through and two runs score."
"That was scary," Graham said. "I thank the Lord I have quick reflexes."
Christiansburg (14-5) won its fifth straight game and advanced to the semifinals for the third consecutive year. Battle finished 13-9.
Tommy Johnson's bases-loaded triple sparked a four-run third inning that lifted Graham past Carroll County.
Graham plays at Highlands District champion Virginia High at 5 p.m. Wednesday in the semifinals.
Down 5-3, Carroll County staged a comeback attempt in the top of the seventh. After Kevin Reynolds and Mike Reavis led off with singles, Matt Montgomery delivered a one-out fly ball to center field to move the runners up.
Tommy Yost wild-pitched Reynolds home and Reavis moved to third with two out. Andy Stockner then grounded to first baseman Erik Robinson, who dived to knock the ball down and threw to Yost at first for the final out.
John Battle 010120000000-494 Christiansburg 110001100001-592
Ball, Puckett (6) and Morton. Royal, Graham (7) and Self. W - Graham (8-0). L - Puckett (2-3). HR - Burnette (JB), 2nd, none on. Carroll Co. 1000201-493 Graham 004010x-590
Montgomery, Phillips (5) and Reavis; Yost and Miller. W - Yost (n/a). L - Montgomery (n/a). B6 B4 DEMONS Demons
by CNB