Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 19, 1993 TAG: 9302190232
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-11 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RADFORD LENGTH: Medium
HEY, RADFORD'S BASEBALL-READY; IT JUST DOESN'T LOOK THAT WAY
The coach is out of state on pressing business. The starting catcher has a throbbing thumb and a decimated digit. The acting coach is so sick it sounds like somebody's shoved two bats up his nostrils.Oh, and they had 4 inches of snow here earlier this week.
Must be time for Radford University's baseball season to commence.
That be the case today, when Liberty visits for the 1983 opener. Never mind that head coach Scott Gines is off tending to family affairs; catcher John Gegg, recently recovered from a broken thumb, busted a finger, and assistant coach Lew Kent has a cold.
The curtain must rise and the show begin.
This much we know: If Radford comes up with some pitching, things may get mighty interesting in Highlanderland - "because I think we will be able to swing the bats," virus-stricken assistant coach Lew Kent said.
Takes a good bat-man to recognize same and Kent has some credentials in that regard. Seems as though in his collegiate days at Arizona State, he once pinch hit for Barry Bonds.
"Barry didn't hit left-handers then the way he does now," Kent said.
Do tell, but we'll have to save that for a rain delay. There are more pressing matters at hand, such as the condition of the Radford pitching staff.
Playing a hunch, these fellows could turn out to be able to hum that potato. The main piece of evidence is that Jim Abbott (no, not that Jim Abbott), who came out of nowhere (well, actually Springfield) to be the ace of the staff last year as a freshman, has fallen into a sort of disfavor. Now, through no misdeeds of his own, Abbott appears to have sunk to the status of No. 4 or 5 starter.
Fresh talent has caused this. Junior college transfer John Hynson, a right-hander, earned the top slot with an effective fall campaign. Others who figure to contribute much include another juco, Bryan Kuskie (5-2, 2.82 earned run average at Neosho [Kan.] Community College); and 6-5, 190-pound freshman Jay Hensley (11-1, 0.48 ERA at University [Tenn.] High).
The bullpen was going to be manned by set-up man Travis Toms, who is being taught a submarine pitch, and freshman J.J. Christopher. But Christopher developed a sore shoulder after the first day of practice and may not be ready again before March. Yet in Radford, despair is not there.
"We feel like we'll have a better pitching staff this year," Kent said. "That doesn't mean we'll be awesome, by any means, just better. Last year, it looked like a missile target site at times, with all the freshmen we had pitching."
If things go well on the mound, the Highlanders ought to be competitive with the bats and afield. The infield appears to be particularly strong with All Big South Conference first baseman Denny Van Pelt and second baseman Rob Amos.
Van Pelt, who fielded a football scholarship offer from the University of Kansas out of high school, hit .335 with six home runs and 47 RBI in 161 at bats. Amos hit .341 and stole 17 bases while teaming with shortstop Tom Curran for 59 double plays.
Curran hit .292 a year ago and stole 16 bases. There ought to be more to come.
"I've been feeling pretty well at the plate," he said.
The outfield will be anchored by returning all-conference sophomore Duane Filchner (.357, 38 runs). A key here will be whether junior Alex Vaxmonsky can make a smooth transition from infield to center field.
Gegg, who missed parts of two Gegg seasons with a broken thumb, is on the mend again. Once whole, he's capable. Last year he hit .322 with eight doubles.
"I'll be going through a role change," he said. "Before, I was a situation-type hitter, a hit-and-run guy with some of the big guys such as Travis Morgan coming up behind me. Now I'll be expected to hit with more power."