Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991 TAG: 9103220689
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By Bob Teitlebaum/ Sportswriter
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Knights will try to make their 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.
Practically everybody returns for William Byrd, which hasn't been to the Region III tournament since it went three years in a row 1985-87.
Cave Spring's offense will be enough to frighten anyone. The attack is led by All-Timesland shortstop Dee Dalton, who's 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."
Byrd (12-8-1 last year) lost only a starting shortstop and is chock full of juniors. The one senior is pitcher Matt Graybill (2-2, 3.04), one of the Blue Ridge District's top pitchers.
Graybill was slowed by a sore arm last spring, but Byrd coach Gary Walthall says the arm is fine. The question is his endurance as he's not ready to pitch a full game.
Brian Young (2-2, 3.00) and Matt Reynolds (2-1, 4.28) are other returning pitchers. Also back are seven hitters who hit over .300, including outfielder Matt Reynolds (.460), an all-Region III choice, and third baseman Jerry Anderson (.417), who led the team with 24 RBI. Catcher Josh Herman (.353) didn't strike out in 68 trips to the plate.
Patrick Henry might have been the team to beat in the Roanoke Valley District, but the Patriots lost one half of their fine pitching staff because Jason Whorley is scholastically ineligible.
Kevin Gabbert (7-2, 1.69 earned run average), an All-Timesland pitcher as a junior, returns, but he'll need some help for new coach Mark Hairston's team 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 because 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 metro teams:
CRAIG COUNTY: Ron Hess is the new coach after a year's absence. Three quarters of the infield - Shane Fisher at first, Dave McPherson at short and Matt Duncan at third - returns. The Rockets don't have one pitcher who has thrown an inning of varsity baseball.
GLENVAR: Shortstop Doug Croy (.460) is back to take up his spot as one of top base stealers after swiping 18 of 19 a year ago. He also pitched (1-2, 2.72) as a backup and will team with Sean Grinnell (3-3, 2.51) as the main hurlers. The only other returnee is first baseman Chad Willis (.322). Newcomer Jason Anderson, a freshman, could be one of the Pioneer District's hardest throwers. David Henderson, another freshman pitcher, gives the Highlanders (10-9) depth on the mound.
JAMES RIVER: The Knights return six starters led by infielder-pitcher Doug Mundy (.372) and infielder Ryan Shotwell (.393). The Pioneer District team had trouble hitting with a .227 average collectively when most of the starters were sophomores. Brian Sink and Chris Conner stole 21 bases between them.
LORD BOTETOURT: Cavaliers (11-7) won the Blue Ridge regular season title by a half game and will build around second baseman-pitcher Bobby Prince (6-2, 2.98). The entire infield returns including sophomore first baseman Donnie Meador (.285), a power hitter from the left side.
NORTH CROSS: Raiders finished second in the Virginia Independent Conference a year ago and will build behind backup pitcher Chad Burchinal, who will also be at shortstop. Other returnees are third baseman Aaron Lange, catcher-pitcher Ryan Shaver, first baseman-catcher T.J. Lange and outfielder Ben Shockley.
NORTHSIDE: Sophomore Kelly Dampeer (.472) is back at short and the leadoff man to spark the veteran Viking attack in the Blue Ridge District. Other solid hitters include centerfielder Mickey Catron (.383), third baseman Scott Manning (.404) and second baseman Chris Hatcher (.264), who had the second best on-base-percentage for the team. The No. 1 pitcher, Lewis Conner (3-4, 2.46) is also back on a team that could be a sleeper in the district race.
ROANOKE VALLEY CHRISTIAN: New coach Bill Coupe will be rebuilding, though main pitcher Chris Taylor (3.44 earned run average) is back. Third baseman Jerry Burks is another of the eight returnees for the Eagles along with Todd Hollins at first. They must hit for RVC to contend in the Virginia Independent Conference.
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 centerfield; 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