Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 20, 1991 TAG: 9103200119
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX and BOB TEITLEBAUM SPORTSWRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Fingers have been pointed at various times at Cave Spring, Patrick Henry and Pulaski County.
For now, call them all contenders. Might as well throw in Franklin County as well. They're usually able to round up some ballplayers down that way.
Pulaski County coach Freddie Akers makes no claim to be loaded, but he did say the Cougars could make a go at a good season if some things fell into place.
The main variable is, as always, the pitching. Much is expected from Robbie Sarver, who went 3-5 last year while doing the difficult double job of pitching and catching.
"He did a good bit of the pitching last year and he really lost some tough games," Akers said.
Sarver averaged .397 at the plate.
Right-hander Richard Myers was expected to be one of the top pitchers a year ago, but he didn't pan out as expected and went 2-3. A reasonably hard thrower, Myers will have the chance to be a team leader again this year. The problem, at least in the early season, will be his health. He has an injured back and is not expected to be available until the end of the month. Myers also may share time with Diron Lane and Derrick Kemp in left field.
Another of the Cougars' better players is center fielder Brad Burrus, who hit .310 a year ago. Burrus is a good athlete who can run and throw.
More pitching should come from John Akers, who will be a spot starter when he's not playing first base. Kevin Alexander, another good athlete but one who has never played varsity baseball, will be a backup at first and on the mound. He is a left-hander.
A key to the infield defense will be how well Ronnie Hamblin makes the transition from second base to shortstop. Hamblin hit .416 last year and the Cougars expect similar good deeds this year. At third, Eddie Murray never had much of a bat. He'll be given the chance to change that this year.
Darden Freeman and Eric Yates are utility players who both could end up in the starting lineup. Freeman plays second and catches; Yates can play all over the infield.
A player to watch is outfielder Joey Bower, the leading junior varsity hitter a year ago.
The Knights will be seeking a third consecutive trip to the Group AAA Northwestern Region as one of two Roanoke Valley District representatives. To make it, they'll have to find some pitching to go with a strong hitting attack.
Cave Spring's offense will be enough to frighten anyone. The attack is led by All-Timesland shortstop Dee Dalton, who signed early with Virginia Tech after hitting .458 with five homers and 29 RBI as the Knights' shortstop.
Also returning are third baseman Ernie Caldwell (.347), left fielder Mike Fayed (.418) and right fielder Steve Driscoll (.352).
The only returning pitcher with any experience is Lenny Navitskis (1-1).
"Hitting and defense have been the cornerstone the last two years," said Cave Spring coach Roger White, whose team made the Group AAA tournament two years ago. "We've had some good pitching, and if we can get any this year, we'll be OK."
Patrick Henry might have been the team to beat in the Roanoke Valley District, but the Patriots lost half of their fine pitching staff: Jason Whorley is scholastically ineligible.
Left-hander Kevin Gabbert (7-2, 1.69 earned run average), an All-Timesland pitcher as a junior, returns, but he'll need some help if new coach Mark Hairston's team is to challenge for the top.
Hairston takes over a PH program that has been up and coming the past few years. Losing Whorley hurts the offense as well as the pitching, since he was the Patriots' second-leading hitter.
Hairston played at West Virginia State and is listed as an interim coach. "I hope to get the job full time," he said.
The Patriots will build around returnees outfielder-shortstop Chris Perry, who'll also pitch; third baseman Tim Witten; and Barry Shelton, who moves from third base to catcher.
A look at other Roanoke Valley District teams:
\ FRANKLIN COUNTY: Scott Hall (2-3) is back at the mound and second base for the Eagles (8-11). The top hitters are catcher-left fielders Matt Atkins (.287) and shortstop Tony Mullins (.247). This will be a young team still rebuilding.
\ SALEM: Right fielder Scott Switzer (.351) and shortstop Tracy Butt (.278) are the only starters back for the Spartans (8-10). Top pitcher Corey Epperly (2-6, 2.08) has a year's pitching experience and could make the Spartans a factor in the Blue Ridge District. Newcomers include seniors Richard Goodpasture in center field, second baseman Joey Crowder, third baseman Lewis Johnston and Wayne Bright, who is pushing returning reserve Chris Miller in left.
\ WILLIAM FLEMING: The Colonels hope to improve their 1-17 record under new coach David Spangler Jr. Tim Kepple, who moves to shortstop from second, was a first-team All-Roanoke Valley District pick. Other returnees are second baseman Josh Carter, centerfielder Tommy Page, first baseman Grover Poindexter and shortstop-pitcher Chris Coffey.
by CNB