Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 23, 1995 TAG: 9503240006
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
But in the view of second-year Pulaski County High coach Ray Dunavant, the Cougars 8-10 1994 campaign was nothing to be too thrilled with, despite all the obstacles.
``I suppose you could say it was sort of an accomplishment,'' he said. ``But it's nothing we're particularly proud of. The record wasn't very good.''
A true rookie coach might have looked at it differently. But Dunavant was no rookie, even if it was the first time he'd been the Cougars' baseball coach. Dunavant, a coaching veteran of several high schools, including old Dublin, came out of retirement to take over at Pulaski County last year.
Better days at clearly ahead. No doubt about that. All nine starters are back from last year's team.
The Cougars will need the experience. The Roanoke Valley District will be an exceptionally difficult circuit this year with Cave Spring figuring as the team to beat and Franklin County, the defending champion and last year's Group AAA Northwestern Region runner-up, not far behind.
The Cougars will contend, though.
One of the main reasons will be Tim Davis, a four-year starter at catcher and an athlete of such exceptional ability that he's already signed a letter of intent to play football for Boston College.
Davis led the team with a .322 batting average, 21 runs scored, 20 hits, 15 steals, and 15 walks. About all he didn't do was hit for much power and he's capable of that.
Other quality veterans include pitcher-third baseman Caleb Hurd (.300, 4-2 pitching record), first baseman-designated hitter Matt Hull (.302, 12 runs batted in), sophomore center fielder Shane Callahan (.280, 18 runs, 16 hits, 11 RBI), first baseman designated hitter Keith DeHart (.229, 14 RBI), right fielder Mike Rupe, and shortstop Jason McNew (.254. team-leading 16 RBI).
Other starters could include David Flanagan and kenny Akers in the outfield, and Brian Rupe and L.A. Woods at second base.
The pitching ought to be solid with 6-foot-3, 260-pound left-hander Brian Dalton (1-3, 4.30 earned run average, Hurd, and right-handers Jason Corvin and Steven Oliver, a hard thrower, is been penciled in as a closer.
``We issued a lot of walks and committed a lot of errors last year,'' Dunavant said. ``If we can change those things, we'll be OK.''
Elsewhere among New River Valley teams:
Blacksburg is taking a challenging route back from last year's 4-14 season. The Indians again will be playing one of the most challenging schedules in Timesland.
In addition to two games each with New River District heavy hitters Christiansburg and Carroll County, the Indians will be playing such heavyweights as William Byrd, Salem, and Northside.
The Indians ought to be prepared to make a good showing this year because of a substantial contingent of returning veterans. Among them are senior outfielder Greg Shockley (.285, 10 steals, .547 on base), a three-year starter; third baseman-right-handed pitcher Brian Smith (.313, 1-5, two saves); shortstop-pitcher Travis White (.228, two home runs); and outfielder Shane Beamer (.500 on base percentage, nine walks).
The Indians are going to be a quality defensive team. It's all going to depend on pitching and hitting.
Christiansburg will be strong if for no other reason than pitching.
Byron Gates, a 6-4, 250-pound senior, is a hard-throwing right hander who went 3-4 with a 2.63 ERA last year. He can hit (.392, seven HR, 25 RBI) and play third base, too. Ryan Hubble (1-1, 5.88) and Cave Spring transfer Brian McFarland give the Blue Demons plenty of depth.
Catcher David Epperly will be and Eric Lucas will also figure prominently in the team's plans as will outfielders Blake Hendricks and Chris Epperly and first baseman Jody Dickerson. Lucas will be moving from second base to shortstop.
Radford coach Wayne Pridgen is having a hard time keeping a poker face.
``This is one of the best groups we've had since the district championship,'' he said.
Center fielder-pitcher Mark Franklin (.452, 25 RBI) is one cause for optimism. So are fellow senior pitchers Matt Linkous (.349, 3-0, 3.80) and Foster Ridpath (2-3, 2.30 ERA, .250). Linkous will play first and third and Ridpath will catch when they aren't pitching..
The rest of the infield is very good with Derek Englehard at short, Hart Fowler at second, and Travis Griffith at first. Any team that is as strong up the middle as this one is has to like its chances.
Shawsville will be among those (Radford included) who will vie for the championship of the exceptionally competitive new Three Rivers District. The Shawnees went 13-7 last year and should do better than that.
Among those who should see to that is the double-play combination of junior shortstop-pitcher Mark Akers (.411, 29 runs scored, 25-for-25 stealing, school record .932 fielding percentage) and second baseman -catcher Brad Dalton (.273, .932 fielding percentage).
The pitching will be fine with Drew Smith (5-4, 3.10 ERA and Jason Smith (3-1, 3.25), both right-handers.
One to watch for Shawsville is utilityman-pitcher Barnett Carr, a freshman who is slated to bat somewhere in the top-three slots in the order.
Floyd County is yet another that will be in the thick of the Three Rivers race.
Catcher Peter Bucklin (.515, two HR, 28 RBI) has shown he's ready by whacking a ball all the way out of Blacksburg's deep-fenced ballpark in a scrimmage. Pitchers Sammy Burton (4-1, 3.50, 46 strikeouts in 34 innings) and Robert Favre (4-3, 3.50), outfielders Jason Pratt and Dwayne Hall, and second Brian Harman will also be stalwarts.
Giles is trying to reload after losing 16 of 21 players to graduation.
Those with experience include left-hander Josh Stephens (3-2, 4.10 ERA), catcher David Greever, left-fielder Kevin Minnick (three strikeouts in 26 at bats), and pitcher-infielder Mike McCoy.
There's a lot of excitement about the return of shortstop Raypheal Milton, who missed 1994 with injuries. McCoy will move to third to make way for him.
Narrows is rebuilding and the preseason has been difficult.
No wonder when the first seven players in the batting order were lost to graduation. That leaves shortstop Patrick Bailey and second baseman Justin Rhodes, whom hit in the .280 range last year. Jon Shipbaugh at third and Brandon Hollie in the outfield also had some at bats last year.
As for the pitching, Hollie pitched six innings last year. Bailey, a senior, hasn't taken the hill since he was a freshman.
Tim Dunkleman is the new coach at Auburn and he inherits a team that will have at least stopper on the mound in Bradley Hudgins, who will also play shortstop.
Brad Sutphin and Cullen Morris will also pitch and John Lytton will catch along with Tony Thompson, who can also play the outfield.
by CNB