Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 16, 1993 TAG: 9306160155
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CHRIS BACHELDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ST. PAUL LENGTH: Medium
About all that remains of Tuesday's Group A state semifinal softball game between Glenvar and St. Paul is one clutch at-bat for the home team.
After a generous gift exchange left the score tied at 4 through 4 1/2 innings, St. Paul catcher Nikki Burke ended the niceties - and the deadlock - with a two-out, run-scoring triple in the bottom of the fifth.
The right-hander's blast to right field scored Jill Couch from first base with what proved to be the game-winning run as the unbeaten Deacons edged two-time defending state champion Glenvar 5-4.
St. Paul (21-0) will play at Powhatan (24-0) for the Group A state championship Friday at 5 p.m. Powhatan advanced with a 4-2 win over Rappahannock.
Pitcher Bobbie Jo Wright and the Highlanders appeared to be out of trouble in the fifth after second baseman Kelly Winter snared a line drive and doubled up a Deacon runner at first to empty the bases. But Couch singled and Burke smacked the opposite-field triple over Amy Moser's head in right field.
"It came down to that one big triple when it counted," Glenvar coach Spike Harrison said. "They got that big hit and we didn't get it. We had our opportunity, but they just made one more good play than we did."
The Highlanders (16-6) used an error, a bunt single and a walk to load the bases with two outs in the sixth, but Amy Yeary struck out Amy Vonderhofen to end the inning. With two on and one out, shortstop Jessica Holbrook made a sliding catch of a line drive to save at least a run.
Glenvar produced two first-inning runs from absolutely nothing. After a walk, a popout and a fielder's choice, Wright struck out on a wild pitch. Burke's throw to first sailed down the right-field line and Wright circled the bases and scored behind Vonderhofen.
St. Paul rallied with four runs (one earned) on one hit in the third inning. After Wright walked the bases loaded, Vonderhofen had a two-run error, Burke singled in a run and Holbrook had an RBI groundout.
The Highlanders struck back for two more unearned runs in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Winter singled home Vonderhofen to tie the score, but Wright was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second.
After a shaky sixth, Yeary got three Glenvar pop-ups in the seventh to end the game. In improving to 12-0, she struck out four, walked seven and allowed four hits.
"We scored those four runs in one inning and usually, when we get in the lead, we stay in the lead," said a weary St. Paul coach Randy Mabe. "It's very seldom we have to fight back. Glenvar did a great job, we just got that key hit." \
see microfilm for box score
by CNB