Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, May 5, 1994 TAG: 9405050075
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Bucs scored three runs in the first innning and rode the solid hurling of left-hander Sean Lawrence to a 6-1 victory over the Prince William Cannons to salvage the split of a Carolina League doubleheader before a damp, shivering crowd of 774 on Wednesday night at Municipal Field.
In the opener, the Bucs spotted the Cannons a four-run lead, then trimmed it to one run as reliever Dave Doorneweerd held the enemy at bay, but Salem couldn't come up with the late clutch hit and lost 4-3.
Lawrence, a left-hander, may not have had his nastiest tools at his disposal, but he still gave up only eight hits and two runs through six innings, striking out six and walking three.
"I don't think he threw as good as he's capable of," said Trent Jewett, the Bucs' manager. "But that's the sign of a good pitcher that he did what he did. . . . I think he's special. I think he's going to be a Steve Cooke [of the Pittsburgh Pirates] type of pitcher."
Lawrence, too, agreed that he's had better nights on the job.
"But I was pretty consistent," he said. "I did have the three walks, but I think I was 22-for-29 on throwing first-pitch strikes."
The important point, he said, was that help was there for the asking.
"I had some good defense behind me," he said. "I was getting behind in the count later in the game and had to come in with a strike. They were hitting it hard, but guys were making the plays. [Jon] Farrell caught a heat rod at first base."
The Bucs put together two walks and two singles in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead off Sean Johnston. The Cannons (14-13) trimmed the lead to a 3-1 on Mike Bradish's run-scoring single in the third, but the Bucs (10-17) came back for more in their half of the inning.
Jay Cranford's fifth home run of the year, a two-run job with no outs, increased the advantage.
"It was 2-0 and I was looking for a fastball strike," Cranford said. "He [Johnston] was kind of wild, so anything else I was taking. He gave me a good pitch."
The Cannons stranded seven runners through four innings and left 10 for the game.
"We had the opportunities early," said Dave Huppert, Prince William's manager.
The first game blew up quickly for Bucs starter Matt Chamberlain, who came into the game at 0-4 and was worse off going out after four runs (three earned), six hits, two walks and a hit batter in 2 innings.
The Cannons scored three runs in the third by stringing together four hits and a bases-loaded walk with two out.
"I don't know," Jewett said. "I still think he's a quality pitcher, but I don't have any answers now."
Doorneweerd threw 4 shutout innings after that, but the Bucs couldn't quite get over the top. Farrell hit into a force play with two on to end the game. I don't think [Sean Lawrence] threw as good as he's capable of. But that's the sign of a good pitcher that he did what he did. . . . I think he's special. I think he's going to be a Steve Cooke [of the Pittsburgh Pirates] type of pitcher. Trent Jewett Salem Bucs' manager
Keywords:
BASKETBALL
by CNB