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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 3, 1990                   TAG: 9006010462
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: PEARISBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

PITCHING IS A CONCERN FOR GILES AS LEGION BASEBALL BEGINS ANEW

Evans' problem is pitching. Nothing makes a coach's blood pressure approach dangerously hazardous levels than the idea of entering a grueling season in a pitching-impoverished state.

"We're going to hold our own, but I'm afraid that our pitching is going to be a little weak," Evans said.

Depth appears to be a danger. Beyond left-hander Chad Phillips and right-hander Benji Pennington, adequate arms may be in short supply.

"I got more throwers than I do pitchers," Evans said.

Which probably is not be the most comfortable way to be thrown back into Blue Ridge District Legion competition after a year's layoff.

The program was suspended a year ago when the local Posts 68 and 311 had a falling out with Sammy Atkins, the team's ramrod, business manager and coach since its inception. When a replacement could not be found, the team went under.

Enter Evans, a longtime coach who lives in Newport. Evans grew up in and did his ballplaying in Narrows. Also joining the coaching staff were Cecil Phillips of Radford and Pat Hutchison of Newport.

Since the team reorganized, it is recruiting an expanded player pool. Whereas in the old days the program had bylaws stating that only players from Giles, Narrows, and Peterstown, W.Va., high schools were eligible, the new team will have players from Blacksburg and Radford in addition to the aforementioned schools.

This year it does not look as if Peterstown will be represented although Evans delivered a recruiting pitch over there.

"Those boys said they had to work this summer," Evans said. "I can't really blame them for that."

That's too bad, because Peterstown had most of the veteran players available to Giles County this year. Players such as Jason Buckland, Jeff Moore, and Matt Mann played two years ago for Giles County. Since then, those same players were among those who led Peterstown to this year's final four appearance in the West Virginia Class A playoffs.

But that doesn't help this year's Giles County team.

"We've got one kid who's played American Legion before," Evans said.

That player is Pennington, who played for Bluefield (W.Va.) State as a freshman this year. Pennington is one of several college-age players who are still eligible for Giles County. Others include first baseman D.K. Hipkins and outfielder and pitcher Brian Lafon.

Giles County is also going to have a bunch of youngsters. Among those who just now completed their sophomore years include Brody Smith, a talented infielder from Narrows; infielder Kelly Lowe from Narrows; infielder Gary Hilton from Giles; and infielder Matt Smith from Blacksburg.

Beyond Pennington, Evans hopes he can construct a pitching staff that includes right-hander Andy Tawney of Giles, lefty Adam Plum of Radford and right-hander Eddie Sloss from Blacksburg.

Every-day players who figure to be seeing plenty of action (Evans vows he will use the whole roster) include infielder Lloyd Zelazny of Blacksburg, first baseman Eddie Martin of Radford, outfielder Chris Dunford of Narrows, catcher Brandon Smith of Radford, and catcher Paul Evans.

"If we can win as many as we lose this first year, I'll be tickled," Danny Evans said.