Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 13, 1993 TAG: 9306140041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: E3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
His projections included hitting the baseball a little - occasionally rather hard - and throwing enough strikes to keep a job as a pitcher. A big splash he did not anticipate making. After all, how many sophomores tear it up in a major way in their first year on the varsity?
Tucker gave the Cougars' opponents trouble, lots of it.
Playing shortstop and third base, he hit .473 with four home runs, five doubles and 13 runs batted in while fielding his postion to a .912 average. He also was the Covington pitching ace, with a 5-3 record and 2.47 earned run average, striking out 68 in 62 1/3 innings.
Some of his best work came under the most heartbreaking circumstances for Covington. In a crucial game with James River, Tucker pitched eight strong innings and went 5-for-5. However, after he left the mound, the Knights snapped the tie and went on to win.
That defeat was considered the death blow to the Cougars' regular-season title hopes. Covington went on to finish as the regular-season and tournament runner-up to Glenvar. The Cougars advanced to the Group A Region C tournament, where they were ousted by Castlewood.
"Usually when I pitched well, I also hit well," Tucker said. "That James River game was an example."
Judging from the numbers, such was often the case.
"I came into the year preferring to play shortstop, but I went out liking to pitch better," he said. "For one thing, the game goes quicker. For another, you're in control out there."
The district coaches voted Tucker their player of the year.
Covington coach John Mills had no trouble with that.
"He's the best sophomore I've coached in 19 years," Mills said.
Tucker also was the top golfer for the Cougars' team in the fall. Asking him to pick a favorite between the two sports is a little like trying to strike him out.
"During golf season, golf is my favorite," he said. "During baseball season, it's baseball."
Timesland's 1993 sizzling sophomores:
Outfielders - Robert Kaczmarek, Cave Spring; Gary Tyree, Rockbridge County; Greg Shockley, Blacksburg.
Infielders - Jeff Tucker, Covington; Chad Foutz, Franklin County; Nathan Hicks, Roanoke Valley Christian; Raypheal Milton, Giles.
Catcher - Brian Alley, Fieldale-Collinsville.
Pitchers - Jason Berry, Magna Vista; Robey Caldwell, Cave Spring.
Others to watch - IF Patrick Bailey, Narrows; IF Matt Sark, George Wythe; OF Eric Sayers, George Wythe; P Jason Otey, George Wythe; P/IF Greg Johnson, Chilhowie; P/IF Bradley Hudgins, Auburn; C Terry Millirons, Auburn; IF Jay Stafford, Northside; OF Brian Crosswhite, Northside; C Marvin Brown, William Fleming; P Greg Duncan, William Fleming; IF Shannon Williams, Lord Botetourt; IF Jason Mays, Rockbridge County; IF/P Brian Mays, Fieldale-Collinsville; P Ben Boardwine, Craig County; DH Johnny Crawford, Craig County; IF Byron Gates, Christiansburg; P Michael McGuire, William Byrd; IF Terrace Martin, Chatham; OF Brandon Talbott, Chatham; P/IF/OF Drew Smith, Shawsville; C Peter Bucklin, Floyd County; C Tim Davis, Pulaski County; OF Jason McNew, Pulaski County.
by CNB