
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, May 16, 1993                   TAG: 9305160176
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: E5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

VIRGINIA TECH CAN NAIL DOWN METRO CROWN

J.R. Hawkins homered and knocked in four runs as Virginia Tech beat Southern Mississippi 12-7 Saturday in a Metro Conference baseball game.

The Hokies moved into position to take the Metro regular-season title.

Virginia Tech (34-12) improved to 11-5 in the conference and is one-half game behind South Florida, which fell to 12-5 in the Metro with a loss to Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday.

A Tech victory over Southern Miss today coupled with a South Florida loss to VCU would give the Hokies the title.

Hawkins doubled and homered as Virginia Tech scored six runs in the seventh inning Saturday to break a 6-6 tie and drop the Golden Eagles to 31-24 overall, 10-6 in the Metro.

Tech scored three runs in the third inning to take a 4-0 lead. Hawkins hit his 10th home run of the year with a man aboard. Two batters later, third baseman Bo Durkac smashed a solo homer over the left-field fence. Durkac was 4-for-5 for the day.

Southern Mississippi third baseman Jason Simpson blasted a home run in the fourth to get the Golden A Virginia Tech victory over Southern Miss today coupled with a South Florida loss to VCU would give the Hokies the title. Eagles on the board. He had two hits and three RBI in the game.

Southern Miss scored five runs in the fifth inning to take a 6-5 lead. The Golden Eagles got a two-run double from center fielder Andy Woodard, a two-run double from Simpson and a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Larry Wesson.

Tech tied the score in the sixth when second baseman Justin Dobson scored from third when Simpson committed a throwing error at third base. Dobson also had four hits to go with a pair of RBI.

Dobson singled in a run in the seventh to start the Hokies' six-run inning. First baseman Danis Simmons scored the second on another error by Simpson. Dobson scored on a bases-loaded walk to Dee Dalton. Hawkins ripped a double that plated two runners and designated hitter Josh Herman lifted a sacrifice fly to left that scored Dalton.

Right-hander Jamie Patteson (8-0) got the win for Tech, giving up one run in four innings of relief.

Greg Kennedy (5-6) gave up 14 hits and 10 runs in 6 innings for Southern Mississippi.

by CNB