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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 31, 1994                   TAG: 9408310058
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Staff report
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SECRIST HELPS BUCCANEERS SLAM KINSTON 6-3

KINSTON, N.C. - Designated hitter Reed Secrist smacked a grand slam in the first inning as the Salem Buccaneers defeated the Kinston Indians 6-3 on Tuesday night in a Carolina League baseball game.

Johnny Martinez, making his Carolina debut after a stint with Burlington of the Appalachian League, loaded the bases when he walked Lou Collier with one out, gave up a single to Chance Sanford and walked Jake Austin. Secrist then smashed a home run to give Salem a 4-0 lead.

The Bucs added a run in the fifth when Jon Farrell singled and scored on Austin's groundout.

Kinston cut the lead to three in the bottom of the fifth when Eddie Lantigua bunted for a single, took third on a throwing error by Salem pitcher Marc Wilkins who was trying to pick him off and scored on a triple by Greg Thomas. Thomas scored on a sacrifice fly by Mark Hence.

Salem scored its final run in the eighth. Secrist drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mitch House and Marcus Hanel were hit by pitches to load the bases, and Jeff Conger hit a sacrifice fly to left to score Secrist.

Kinston cut the score to the final margin in the bottom of the eighth when Jamie Taylor reached on a single, advanced when Andre White was hit by a pitch from Salem reliever Rich Townsend, moved to third when Townsend tossed a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Mitch Meluskey.

Wilkins (7-5) picked up the victory for the Buccaneers (29-36). He gave up five hits and two runs and struck out three in seven innings. Reliever Mark Pisciotta gave up one hit and struck out one in one inning to pick up the save.

Martinez (0-1) gave up five hits and four runs and walked two in four innings, taking the loss for Kinston (26-37).

In other Carolina League news Tuesday, Chance Sanford was the lone Buccaneer chosen for the Carolina League All-

Star team. Sanford was picked at the utility infield position.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks swept the superlatives. Larry Sutton was chosen Most Valuable Player, right-hander Bart Evans was named Pitcher of the Year and Mike Jirschele was chosen Manager of the Year.

by CNB