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

DATE: SATURDAY, May 21, 1994                   TAG: 9405210075
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE: KINSTON, N.C.                                LENGTH: Short

BUCS FALTER IN 9TH INNING OF 4-3 LOSS

Just when Salem got back into the ballgame, the Bucs suddenly were out of it when the defense failed once again Friday.

Salem had rallied to score two runs in the top of the ninth to tie, but lost to Kinston 4-3 in a Carolina League baseball game because of Rich Luna's third error of the game.

The Buccaneers (18-24) forced the Indians to bat in the bottom of the the ninth when Jason Kendall led off the inning with a single to center and scored on Jay Cranford's double. Cranford came home on a single up the middle by Danny Clyburn.

Kinston, facing Salem's Rich Townsend in the bottom of the inning, got started when Mitch Meluskey led off with a walk and moved to second on a sacrifice by Steve Soliz.

Then, Luna booted a grounder by Sam Hence, leaving runners at the corners with one out. Reliever Mark Pisciotta walked Patricio Claudio intentionally. With the defense playing in to cut off a run, Jon Nunnally singled over the head of left fielder Dario Tena for the winning run.

Salem's only other run came in the third inning, after Jeff Conger singled up the middle. He took second on a balk and scored on an infield hit by Luna that included a throwing error by Kinston second baseman Mike Neal.

The teams meet tonight in the second game of the weekend series, with Salem's Dave Doorneweerd (1-2) facing Jose Cabrera (1-4).

by CNB