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

DATE: FRIDAY, May 27, 1994                   TAG: 9405270067
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: From staff reports
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SALEM CAPTURES SOFTBALL TITLE

Rhonda Rankin pitched a four-hitter and Salem manufactured all three runs, beating William Byrd 3-2 on Thursday in the championship game of the Blue Ridge District softball tournament.

Rankin (8-1) struck out 11 and held the Terriers to one earned run. Tracy Doupnik took the loss, despite giving up no earned runs and striking out seven.

The Spartans went up 1-0 in the fourth inning when Shannon Ritter doubled, stole third and scored on a throwing error. Salem (16-4) made it 3-0 in the fifth when Beth Woodard and Misty White scored on passed balls.

Salem reached the title game by beating Lord Botetourt 8-3. William Byrd edged Northside 3-2 in the other semifinal. The Spartans and Terriers advance to next week's Region III tournament at the Moyer Sports Complex.

\ BASEBALL: In Covington, the Cougars play Glenvar at 5 p.m. today for the district title. The Highlanders routed Craig County 12-5 in a semifinal.

Thursday's Blue Ridge District tournament semifinal game between Salem and Alleghany was suspended because of rain with Alleghany leading 2-0 in the second inning. The game will resume at 2 p.m. today, followed by the championship game at 5 p.m.

by CNB