Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104180092
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The Indians already have one and all indications are that it can only become more accomplished.
Junior shortstop Matt Smith and sophomore shortstop Brian Davis are already off to a fast start in their first year in business together. Davis has been in on four double plays in the Indians' first six games - three with Smith and one with alternate shortstop Walter Smith.
To put that into perspective: Blacksburg turned only two double plays in all of 1990.
"It's really been a good combination and we really haven't lost anything at all when Walter Smith is in there," Price said.
Walter Smith, a senior, plays short when Matt Smith pitches. Matt Smith spends most of the time at short, however.
Davis, a rangy 5-foot-10, 145-pounder, gives Matt Smith much of the credit for the rapid development of the combination.
"He's just a good ballplayer who knows how to spot his throws really well," he said.
Smith, who was identified as one of the outstanding 10th-graders in Timesland a year ago, emphasized the pair's teamwork.
"Our talents blend well," he said. "We each know what the other can do. I can tell when I have the time to make the throw to second or when he should go ahead and throw to first. We think alike."
Smith is making the transition from second, where he played a year ago. The difference in double-play production between this year and last is easily understood, he said.
"This year, we're getting more chances and we're not making the mistakes that were made last year when we do get the chance," he said. "Also, we're getting it done more quickly."
Price has been working with Davis on his defensive quickness and said that he's seeing major improvement.
For his part, Davis is trying to make the switch from shortstop, where he played on the junior varsity last year, to second.
"It's mostly the same position but at a different spot on the field," he said. "The throws from short are longer. When you're turning the double play at second, you have to stop, wheel and fire. At short, you can come straight across the bag and throw."
Both players figure to be big hitters. Smith already has two home runs and was batting .500 (10-for-20) through the first five games. A year ago, he batted .341 with 14 runs scored, two homers, and 10 RBI.
"I'm seeing the ball a lot better now," he said. "I'm seeing it come right out of the pitcher's hand. Last year, I was a little intimidated at the plate after coming off the jayvee [team]."
Davis is experiencing the challenges of making the transition to varsity play.
"I'm not hitting the ball nearly as well as I should," he said. "The pitching is a lot better at this level. The pitchers have a lot more on the ball."
With two more years on the varsity, Davis will have ample time to adjust.
by CNB