Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 29, 1992 TAG: 9202290106
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN SMALLWOOD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
PRESEASON ANALYSIS MOTIVATES FERRUM'S OWENS
IF EVERYTHING goes to form, shortstop Eric Owens not only could be the nation's best Division III player but could end up playing for the best DivisionIII team.\ Eric Owens was both ecstatic and miffed after reading the article in Baseball America magazine.
In a section analyzing the 1992 college baseball season, Owens, a junior shortstop at Ferrum College, was rated the top returning player in Division III, yet when it came to picking the top 100 college prospects, he was nowhere to be found.
"How did I feel about it?" said Owens, a 1991 Division III All-American. "That section is hanging in my locker. I'm going to use that as motivation for this season."
It's not that Owens is caught up in his own hype, but he had a chance to analyze many of the top collegiate players when he was one of 80 players who participated in a 1992 USA Olympic team tryout in November.
Owens held his own.
"Honestly, I don't think I got the fair end of the deal in that rating because I'm from Division III," Owens said. "Some of those guys I played with at the camp and did just as well, and some of them weren't even invited, yet are still rated ahead of me. But I'm glad it worked out that way; it gives me something else to shoot for."
A national championship for the Panthers isn't out of the question, either.
This weekend, when Ferrum begins a weeklong season-opening swing through Georgia and Florida, the Panthers could be embarking on a three-month journey that would end in Battle Creek, Mich., with them playing in the Division III World Series.
Coming off a 32-8 season, Ferrum is ranked No. 2 in the nation and has what veteran coach Abe Naff is calling his best team ever.
"[The national championship] is one of our goals," Naff said. "Time will tell, but that's what we're shooting for. If we produce, we've got just as good a chance as anyone."
It's hard to envision Owens being more productive than he was in 1991. In 145 at-bats, Owens hit .475 with five home runs and 41 RBI. He had a fielding percentage of .942 with 55 putouts and 92 assists. He committed nine errors.
"He's just an outstanding player," Naff said. "Eric Owens can do it all. He's the best player to play at Ferrum since I've been coaching here. He's really polished his baseball skills to go with great baseball instincts. "
An All-Timesland performer at Tunstall High School, Owens first went to Louisburg (N.C.) Junior College. After a solid fall season, he was hoping to get a chance to play at either North Carolina State or Clemson.
But no scholarship offers came, so Owens decided to attend Ferrum, because "I also wanted to play football along with baseball."
He became a starting receiver and backup quarterback in football and a star in baseball.
"When I got here, things really took off for me in baseball," said Owens.
Things culminated with Owens being one of two Division III players invited to the Olympic tryout camp in Homestead, Fla.
"It was a great experience," said Owens, who missed two football games to attend the camp. "I've always been brought up to meet every challenge. If I went down there intimidated, I would have been in trouble. I think I accomplished my goal of being competitive.
"I don't think the coaches saw my full potential because I had some bumps and bruises from football. All those other boys were just coming off a fall season. I think I can perform better."
Owens will find out in May if he is one of the 40 finalists invited to a June tryout camp in Millington, Tenn., when selections will be made for the team that will represent the United States at the Barcelona Olympics.
"The indication I got was that the coaches wanted to bring 20 Division I players and 10 from a group of Division II, III and NAIA players. If I can keep my status as No. 1 in Division III, it could certainly help my chances.
Owens also is eligible for the June major-league free-agent draft, and while he tries not to focus on it, he can't help but think about it.
"I've thought about the draft, but right now I'm just going to concentrate on playing for Ferrum College to the best of my ability," he said. "I'm going to shoot for the stars. I want to be the best."
Owens will be a major concern of Ferrum opposition, but not the only one. Owens is just one component of a power-packed offense that hit .350, scored 321 runs and belted 41 home runs.
"We'll put nine guys out there who can swing a bat," said Naff, "and one through seven will have some power."
Owens will hit third and will be followed by first baseman Jerald Smith (.370, 15 home runs) and right fielder Jeremey Hill (.381, seven home runs).
Starters Chris Holt, Jeff Lamie, Rayna Williams and John Hopkins were .300 hitters.
"I don't think I'll be seeing many fastballs this year," said Owens, "but I'm pretty much surrounded by good hitters. They can't pitch around all of us."
Ferrum pitching is solid, headed by left-handers Kevin Alger, who was 9-1 with a 2.19 earned run average, and Billy Wagner, who was 6-0 with a 1.60 ERA and a Division III-leading 85 strikeouts. Randy Lawrence and Scott David are capable right-handed starters.
Kevin Anderson, Keith Mayhem and Chris Allen will handle relief duties.
\ VIRGINIA TECH: The Hokies are trying to bounce back from their first losing season in 26 years. Veteran coach Chuck Hartman will be looking for an influx of youth to blend with veteran players.
The revamped Metro Conference lost traditional powers Florida State to the Atlantic Coast Conference and South Carolina to the Southeastern Conference, leaving Tulane and newcomer South Florida as the favorites.
All-Metro shortstop David Dallas will switch to second base. Freshman Dee Dalton, the 1991 Timesland baseball player of the year out of Cave Spring High, likely will start at shortstop. Freshman Denny Hedspeth will catch, and either Popeye Smith or Sal Colangelo, both freshmen, will get a chance in center field.
Brad Clontz and former Patrick Henry star Scott Robertson, who struggled with a sore arm during preseason, head up the pitching staff.
\ VIRGINIA: The Cavaliers haven't been to the NCAA Tournament since 1985, but 11-year coach Dennis Womack believes UVa could be ready for a return trip.
Virginia returns six everyday starters, including the entire infield, and 10 of 12 pitchers.
Led by senior closer Todd Ruyak, a second-team All-ACC selection, pitching will be the key for the Cavaliers, who were 28-27-2 last season. The pitching staff had an ERA of 4.36 last year, down almost three runs from 1990.
Kevin Stock, an All-ACC utility player, hit .335 in 197 at bats. He also appeared in 19 games as a left-handed reliever. Senior third baseman Hans Martinsen started all 57 games and led the team with 36 RBI.
\ RADFORD: Fifth-year coach Scott Gines faces a large challenge in overhauling a team that lost 13 lettermen, including eight pitchers. Gines has 17 new players.
The Highlanders, 19-33-4 last season, are picked to finish seventh in the eight-team Big South. Newcomer Liberty is favored.
All-Big South right fielder Donnie Just led the Highlanders in batting (.335) and home runs (7). He set Radford records with 71 hits, 14 doubles, 48 singles, 54 runs scored, 110 total bases and 212 at-bats.
Junior Darren Jones, who was 8-2 with a 2.26 ERA at Anderson (S.C.) Junior College, will headline the pitching staff. Scott Lucas, a freshman from Christiansburg, could find a spot in the starting rotation.
\ VMI: The Keydets have a new coach, new uniforms and an influx of new players in an attempt to revitalize a program that is coming off 2-35-1 season.
Former VMI standout Chris Finwood, a 1988 graduate, starts his first season as coach with a 51-game schedule, the most in VMI history. The Keydets return 11 lettermen and five starters.
Freshman David Groseclose, a 1991 All-Timesland selection at Alleghany High, will start at shortstop, and 1991 Timesland athlete of the year Tim Williams from Bath County likely will start in center field when not in spring football practice. Freshman right-hander Billy Goodrich will draw the No. 1 spot in the pitching rotation.
\ WASHINGTON AND LEE: The Generals have had one winning season since 1972, and with 17 of 22 players being either freshmen or sophomores, it's unlikely they will get the second one this year. W&L was selected eighth in the preseason Old Dominion Athletic Conference poll.
Senior T.J. Daly, who hit .324 as a first baseman and was 3-4 with a 5.47 ERA as a pitcher, is one of three full-time starters back from last year's 8-12 squad. Senior outfielder Brian Harper (.321) and shortstop Jon Hesse (.197) also return.