Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 19, 1991 TAG: 9104190338
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
"It's developing into a big rivalry," said Tech's first baseman.
Not any more. Radford coach Scott Gines, who was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing balls and strikes, told Tech coach Chuck Hartman he wanted to discontinue the six-game-old series because of "reasons of integrity," which he would not specify.
"I'm not the only one [who feels this way]," Gines said.
Hartman guessed Gines' beef was with Tech's choice of umpires - specifically that Kim Carter, whom Hartman said has worked about 20 games for Tech, was on the basepaths Thursday.
"I think that's weak," Hartman said.
Hartman said he won't try to keep the series alive if Gines wants it dead.
"If that's what he wants, that's what it is," he said.
What it was Thursday was a game best watched while reading a good novel - that is, not watched at all. Radford pitchers walked 12 Tech batters and had five wild pitches while the Highlanders committed seven fielding errors - three in one inning by third baseman Todd Smith.
The Hokies, meanwhile, walked 10 Radford hitters and hit two.
"It's unfortunate," Gines said. "I feel bad for the fans because both of us have better ballclubs than we showed."
Radford is 15-24-4. Tech, which has struggled all year, won for the fifth time in six games. The Hokies (19-18) begin a weekend series with nationally ranked Metro Conference foe Tulane today.
Almost lost in the pitching horror stories was Jennette's performance. He went 2-for-4 with a double and five RBI, giving him 15 RBI in his last four games. He has 25 RBI all season.
"It seems like every time I come up, there're guys in scoring position," he said. "Even if I hit a fly ball, I get an RBI."
His fourth-inning sacrifice fly drove in a run, but Tech was well on its way by then. Jennette started the scoring with a two-out, two-strike, two-run single off Radford starter Pete Malvasio in the third inning.
The Hokies added five runs in the fourth inning and six more in the fifth, the latter outburst aided by Smith's errors. Jennette had a two-run double in the fifth and Clint Creed lined a three-run home run.
Tech batted around again in the seventh inning and scored five times.
Junior Will Hamilton homered in the eighth.
"I thought we played pretty aggressively and played well until we busted it open," Hartman said. "It's good that you get all your bench guys in."
see microfilm for box score
by CNB