Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 8, 1993 TAG: 9305080211
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: From staff reports
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
For the Spartans (9-4, 7-1), Danny Ratcliffe drove in three runs, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning; Billy Martin came off the bench in the fourth to hit a two-run single; and left-hander Mitch Reed (3-0) went 6 innings, giving up eight hits and striking out seven for the victory.
Mark Cheeks came on with the bases loaded in seventh and got Bobby Cheeks to fly out deep to left to end game. Bobby Cheeks led Grayson County (8-6, 6-2) with a two-run double in the sixth inning.
In other baseball:
Whitey Blankenship had three hits and a walk, homered, doubled, scored four runs, stole four bases, and had four RBI as Narrows trounced guest Galax 16-3 in a Mountain Empire District game. Jeff White homered and doubled and Sean Harris, who is battling a broken thumb on his pitching hand, tossed one-hit ball over four innings for the Green Wave (9-4 overall, 5-2 in the district). Galax (6-7, 3-4) was without star player Jeff Spells, who has been thrown off both the baseball and track teams permanently for a disciplinary infraction.
David Dixon had a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning to snap a tie and power Alleghany to a 11-4 Blue Ridge District victory over Rockbridge County on the Mountaineers' field. Nolan Caldwell went the distance to toss a four-hitter with nine strikeouts for Alleghany (11-3, 4-3). Rockbridge County is 7-6, 1-4.
Jason Anderson had four hits, drove in four runs and tossed a two-hitter over six innings, and Glenvar had to survive a bases-loaded one-out situation in the seventh inning to win a 10-6 Pioneer District victory at Bath County. The Chargers (5-5 overall, 5-3 in the district) had the bases loaded four times and scored one run out of it. Glenvar (5-4, 5-2) had 13 hits and took advantage of seven errors to displace Bath County in first place.
At Floyd, Phillip Marshall drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning as Floyd County defeated Auburn 7-6 in a Mountain Empire District game. The Buffaloes (10-5, 5-2) won it after Auburn scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to tie the game. Monty Moran went 3-for-4 with two doubles for Floyd County and Josh Howery had two hits and an RBI. Chris Gardner had two doubles for Auburn.
At Forest, Jefferson Forest used a five-run second inning to put away Liberty 9-1. Ryan Gilleland hit a two-run home run in the second and Gary Harris knocked in two runs in the sixth inning for the Cavaliers (10-3 overall, 10-3 in the district). Anthony Poindexter pitched a complete-game 3-hitter. For the Minutemen (8-5, 8-5), Curt Goff hit a solo home run in the fourth inning.
At Max Meadows, B.W. Hill went 2-for-3 with a homer and three RBI and Brad Jones added four RBI as Fort Chiswell (7-3) defeated Rocky Gap 14-9.
At Covington, Stacy Bishop was 3-for-3 with two RBI as the Cougars downed Pioneer District foe Craig County 7-2. Charlie Carper pitched the whole game for Covington (5-9, 5-3 Pioneer), striking out 11, giving up five hits and walking one.
At Radford, James Shealor pitched a one-hitter, and Blacksburg (6-7 overall, 3-1 in the New River District) took advantage of seven Radford errors for a 12-1 New River District district win. Shealor (4-3), a senior right-hander who struck out five, had a shutout until Radford (2-9, 1-3) scored an unearned run in the seventh. Shealor had two hits, as did Clay Scott and Wayne Caldwell. Radford pitcher Ryan Brittle (1-4) struck out 16 but got little help from his defense; he also had Radford's only hit.
At Bassett, Brandon Talbott's double drove in three runs in the seventh inning that lifted Chatham to an 8-4 Piedmont District victory over Bassett.
Magna Vista withstood a four-run Gretna rally in the top of the seventh inning to hold on for a 5-4 Piedmont District at the Warriors' ballpark.
\ SOCCER: Liberty goal keeper John Ayers had six saves and recorded his sixth shutout as the host Minutemen blanked Nelson County 2-0 in a Seminole District game. Joey Coles scored both goals unassisted for the Minutemen (7-2 overall, 7-2 in the district. The Governors were outshot 20-10.
At Blacksburg, the Indians rode a balanced attack and stout defense and goal keeping to a 4-0 New River District victory over Christiansburg. Chris Evans, Chris Tyson, Augie Niles and Bill Sherman each scored for Blacksburg (11-0-1, 3-0 New River). They were assisted by Ben Cherry, Matt Belay and Brian Tillman. Christiansburg is 8-3-1, 1-1.
\ BOYS' TRACK: At Buchanan, James River's Daryl Williams won the 400- and 800-meter runs and ran on the winning 1,600-relay team to lead the Knights' to a victory. James River had 89 points, Alleghany 66 and Highland one. Alleghany's Michael Hunter won the long, high and triple jumps and the 300 hurdles.
\ GIRLS' TRACK: At Buchanan, Alleghany's Andrea Moore won the discus and high jump and the Mountaineers won the meet with 85 points, followed by James River (29) and Highland County (22).
\ SOFTBALL: Michelle Hudson tossed a one-hitter and struck out 11 to lead Franklin County to a 15-0 Roanoke Valley District victory over William Fleming. Dawn Webb had two doubles, two runs, and an RBI for the Eagles, who had 16 hits.
Memo: slightly longer version ran in the State edition.