Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 5, 1993 TAG: 9305050061
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-8 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
If the Highlanders manage at least a split of their doubleheader against Liberty University, they will clinch at least sixth place and thus qualify for the Big South Conference tournament May 13-15 at Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C.
In other words, they need one to reach Myrtle Beach.
Today "is going to be a big day," said outfielder Duane Filchner, who set a school record with 52 RBI this season.
"If we win at least one game, we're going to the tournament. That whole club has been saying we didn't care where we finished as long as we finished in the top six. We feel like we're as good as anybody in the conference," he said.
"And if we get to the tournament, we'll have a chance to do something."
Filchner has a good reason to be optimistic: Radford has taken at least one game from every Big South team it has played this season except conference-leading - and tournament hosting - Coastal Carolina.
The scheduled pitchers for Radford are Jim Abbott (4-3, 3.88 ERA) in the opener and Jay Hensley (3-1, 7.35) in the nightcap.
If Radford gets swept, it could find itself on the outside looking in when the tournament starts.
UNC-Asheville could force a three-way tie for the final two spots by sweeping its three-game series with Winthrop.
"It's very important we take at least one game," said Radford coach Scott Gines.
"But they will be throwing [Rich] Humphrey who five-hit [Virginia] Tech. He's very tough."
Liberty's other starter is not yet decided.
\ BIG SOUTH STANDINGS: Standings are based on victories in conference games through Monday:
Coastal Carolina, 15; Towson State, 13; Maryland-Baltimore County, 12; Radford, Winthrop and Liberty, 9; Campbell, 8; Charleston Southern, 7, UNC-Asheville, 6.
Remaining conference games:
UNC-Ashville at Winthrop, Frida and Saturday (2) and Towson State at Maryland-Baltimore County, Saturday (2) and Sunday (2).
Campbell and Charleston Southern have both finished play and will not reach the tournament.
Towson State can claim the conference's top seed by winning three of four against UMBC. Maryland-Baltimore County can finish No. 1 by sweeping Towson State.
Ties are broken based on head-to-head competition and then conference winning percentage.
Radford's standing in the conference would be even better if it had not lost four Big South games in its opponent's last at bat.
\ MORE CHATTER: With the 16-11 win Sunday against Virginia, the Highlanders accomplished something they didn't do last year - they won after exams.
"I don't know why you wouldn't enjoy it when all you have to do is play baseball," said an upbeat Gines after the victory.
"We get to take long BP [batting practice]. We get to get as many pancakes as we want in the morning and until we get sick at night. And Lew [Kent, the assistant coach] and I get out there and play."
One Highlander who obviously enjoyed playing after exams this year is John Gegg: The outfielder graduated with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry on Saturday. He went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored on Sunday.
\ SOFTBALL TOSSES: Freshman Suzie Rath was selected to the all-Big South team as the utility outfielder.
She broke the RU single-season record for stolen bases with 25 and batting average, .380.
Other record setters included Kate Neuman with six doubles and Kerry Pingley with five pitching victories.
As a team, the Highlanders set marks for stolen bases (78), runs (113), hits (232) and doubles (24) in their second varsity season.
\ UPCOMING IN RADFORD: Baseball: Friday, vs. Milligan, 2 p.m.; Saturday, vs. Milligan (2), 1 p.m.; Sunday, vs. Virginia Intermont (2), 1 p.m.
M.J. Dougherty cover sports for the Roanoke Times & World-News' New River Valley bureau.
by CNB