Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 26, 1993 TAG: 9303260179
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
DON'T COUNT SPARTANS OUT YET
Initial examination reveals little of an imposing background to the current edition of the Giles High baseball Spartans.\ ITEM: The best hitter, Glenn Stowers, batted .340 in 1992. That's about like having your leading rusher in football gain 400 yards for the season and your top basketball scorer average 10.3 points per game - good, but not exactly numbers that get your toe to tapping.
\ ITEM: Danny Ratcliffe, who may be batting fifth this season, was an .077 hitter last year with 25 strikeouts in 39 at bats. His hit total was three. Played a nice center field, though.
\ ITEM: Stevie Steele, who probably will be the top pitcher and play some outfield, has one of the team's soundest swings. What that got him last year was a .143 batting average. On a positive note, he did go 3-1 with a 1.85 earned run average and 38 strikeouts in 30 innings pitched.
\ ITEM: Mitch Reed is likely to be the No. 2 starter. His ERA was 6.37 last year. Nice movement on the pitches that didn't get hit, though.
\ ITEM: Giles was no-hit twice.
\ ITEM: In one out of every three at bats, some Spartan struck out.
"That's the most pitiful stat I've ever seen," Giles coach Bruce Frazier said.
All that aside, these Spartans may not be what they seem. The case for Giles:
The pitching is as strong as it's been in years. Steele and Reed could be a brutal one-two combination. All Steele has to do is continue what he started last year. Reed must progress, which it is believed he will. He's also a left-hander, one of the first two that Frazier ever has had. Joey Dunn, the other left-hander, can spot-start or relieve. The potential is there for this to be the best three-man rotation in the Mountain Empire District.
The Spartans are strong up the middle, particularly with Ratcliffe in center and veteran Matt McGuire (.261, 12 steals, 16 walks) at catcher. Newcomer Raypheal Milton - the same kid who tore it up in football - will play shortstop, and he could be the best to play that position at Giles since Mike Williams. Milton can also pitch a little if need be.
Giles will hit. Except for last year, it always does. Forget last year. That was a freak show. Let's be perfectly clear here. Giles will hit.
"These kids are a little frustrated and a little hungry," Frazier said.
Elsewhere:
\ PULASKI COUNTY is rebuilding after going .500 on the way to the Group AAA Northwest Region playoffs. Gone from the team are six starters, including the top pitchers.
The Cougars are strong in key positions, including shortstop with Eric Yates (.279) and center field with Derrick Kemp (.250). Tim Davis is just a sophomore, but he's a good athlete and they're counting on him to be a sound catcher. Tommy Cruise had some starts in right field last year. Left-handed control pitcher Jamie Arnold (3-1, 2.51 ERA) must anchor the pitching staff.
"We're going to try to put pressure on people and make them make mistakes," Pulaski County coach John Bowler said.
\ BLACKSBURG has five important players from a team that was a lot more solid than it may have seemed in 1992.
The Indians went 5-13 against a killer schedule and had three one-run losses in the New River District. Then, near the end of the regular season, four of its best five players were kicked off the team for misbehavior.
Around the infield, Blacksburg will be tough. James Shealor mans first when he's moonlighting from his position of ace of the pitching staff. Brian Davis, who batted .339 last year at second base, is moving to shortstop. Wayne Caldwell (.326, two home runs, 16 runs batted in) can play either third or first. Jim Hensel should be a nice fit at second, where he got a number of starts last year.
In the outfield, Chad Long (.324) will play in center field, where he'll defend his reputation as one of the area's better outfielders. Blacksburg also will get some help from a 13-2 junior varsity. Greg Shockley, one of that team's members, hit .500 last year. Jay Safford, a transfer player who had an immediate impact in football and basketball, is a baseball wild card.
\ CHRISTIANSBURG stakes its hopes on pitching.
The Blue Demons have more quality depth on the mound than anybody in the New River District with right-hander Charlie Shrader (3-4, 2.70), right-hander Jason Basham (2-4, 3.15) and left-hander Denny Self. The Demons have no less than four pitchers who had at least 20 innings' work in 1992.
Two problems the Demons must overcome: so-so hitting and wretched defense. Self and third baseman Jamie Gillespie are the leading returning hitters, with a combined three home runs and 28 runs batted. However, their averages were, well, average. It takes a lot to overcome the team's five errors per game.
\ RADFORD faces a stiff challenge after winning its first NRD championship in 15 years.
First, the obstacles: Of the team's seven seniors, only three have played much baseball. Mark Franklin, the team manager, used to be the leading hitter and played four positions before stumbling in the classroom.
The good news is that brothers Ryan and Eric Brittle are outstanding players. As much as they're being asked to do, they better be. Ryan is the best pitcher when he's not catching; Eric will pitch when he's not at short. Transfer sophomore Matt Linkous has a strong arm and will help at third base and on the mound.
\ NARROWS is another tenacious up-the-middle and around-the-infield squad.
Center fielder Whitey Blankenship was a terror at the plate last year, hitting .580 with 14 extra base hits (five triples), 20 steals in 21 attempts, and 22 runs. Catcher Brett Mosley (.315, 18 walks, 14 hits) is a capable receiver and smart at the plate. Anthony Wiley is solid at first. Third baseman Chad Fleeman (.340, 12 doubles, 24 RBI) is another formidable athlete. Cory McGlothlin can play second and pitch.
Another key figure will be top pitcher Sean Harris (5-0, 2.38), who was an All Region C designated hitter (.444). The Green Wave looks like a formidable foe.
\ AUBURN is likely to be improved.
Todd Collins is back with his 7-2 pitching record. Bradley Hudgins (four home runs, .290) is just coming into his own as a shortstop and pitcher. Danny Dickerson will be settling in at second after playing just about every other position last year. Jeremy West will contribute both at third and on the mound.
Gerald Reed made only two errors in center all last year. Right fielder Andy Johnson is probably the most improved hitter.
\ SHAWSVILLE lost eight starters and all four pitchers from a 16-6 team.
Long year for the Shawnees, right? Maybe not. The Shawnees decked Craig County 11-0 in the season opener.
Catcher Ben Basham (.309, 18 RBI) and third baseman Jason Booth (.286, 19 RBI) are the most experienced players.
"I've got basically a whole new team," Shawsville coach Billy Wells said. "We don't have as much talent as last year, but this group works hard and has a good attitude. I know they'll improve."