Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 30, 1995 TAG: 9504010012
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Last year's All-Timesland team gives a hint of how much talent there is, with eight of 12 players back for another year.
The best young teams of 1994 are loaded again. William Byrd, Glenvar, Cave Spring and Liberty appear ready to take up where they left off last year.
Glenvar was eliminated by James River in a Group A semifinal, William Byrd was beaten in the Region III tournament, Cave Spring once again was a Group AAA Northwestern Region participant and Liberty finished a strong third in the powerful Seminole District.
Those four teams have six of the returning All-Timesland selections. Glenvar (Amy Layman) and William Byrd (Tamasa Adams and Tracy Doupnik) welcome back All-Timesland pitchers, and Cave Spring (Kari Whitney and Shannon Smithson) and Liberty (Lisa Carr) have position players returning.
Among the slow-pitch teams, Roanoke Valley Christian was loaded with youngsters who came on late in the season, North Cross has one of Timesland's top female athletes, Blair Calvert, ready to lead this year's squad.
On paper, William Byrd appears to have the strongest team. The Terriers won the Blue Ridge District last year, surprising some of the usual powers.
The key was the play of Doupnik (11-3, 0.92 earned run average) and Adams (6-0, 2.19 ERA, four saves). They took turns pitching and playing shortstop. Each hit over .400, and Adams was named Timesland's Player of the Year.
The Terriers lost no starters, but in a preseason scrimmage, Liberty smacked Byrd around. ``That reminded us of how much work we have to do,'' said Billy Meador, the Terriers' coach.
Salemwas the other strong team in the Blue Ridge District last year, losing a 1-0 game to eventual Group AA champion Rustburg in the Region III tournament. All-Timesland infielder-pitcher Ronda Rankin (7-1, 1.21) was expected to move out of town after the 1994 season, but she stayed, and she alone makes the Spartans a factor.
Lord Botetourt has coach Andy Ward back for an extra year. Ward was set to retire from coaching, but decided to stay on at the urging of his players.
The Cavaliers have a lot of pitchers back - Jessica Thompson, Ginger Layman and Valinda Pascoe. Position players returning for Lord Botetourt are center fielder Shabnam Gideon, third baseman Melissa Coates, shortstop Joan Patterson and designated hitter Teresa Snodgrass, who will catch this season.
Northside is an experienced team that could be trouble for opponents. The Vikings have Staci Bird back in center field, Kim Ferrell at first, Caroline Myers at second and Melinda Beckner at third when she's not pitching. Beckner was a reliever last year and hit .333.
In the Roanoke Valley District, Cave Spring has the most returning regulars. Smithson hit .424 and stole 32 bases as the All-Timesland designated hitter, and Whitney, an outfielder, hit .388 with five homers to make the All-Northwestern Region and All-Timesland squads.
The Knights also welcome back Christy Clifton at catcher, Ellen Jamison in the outfield, Joy Marraccini at shortstop, Jessica Vest in the outfield and Sarah Oglivie in the infield or the outfield. Pitchers Mary Kallio, Princess Kemp and Shannon Slovensky return, too.
Franklin County is led by All-Timesland catcher Nikki Potter (.410, five homers, 22 RBI). Tonya Jones, at first base or pitching, also returns, along with shortstop Sarah Meyers, utility player-pitcher Angela Massey, second baseman Jenny Chitwood and outfielder Ashley Beckner.
Patrick Henry is led by All-Roanoke Valley District pitcher Michelle King, who is starting for the fourth year and last season struck out 88 to rank third in Timesland. She also played shortstop and was All-Northwestern Region as a utility player.
Longtime coach Louise Thompson begins her last year at William Fleming before retirement. Thompson will have one of her better teams, though the Colonels still are young. Amanda Madore and Sammi Rader, both freshmen, will be the main pitchers. Rader also will catch.
In the Pioneer District, look for Glenvar to duel James River once again. The Knights beat Layman (12-4, 2.50) in a Group A semifinal last year.
James River, which lost an 8-6, 10-inning duel with Powhatan for the state title, has Timesland's winningest pitcher of 1994, Sara Mundy (17-3). Angie Sink, a second-team All-Group A and second-team All-Timesland selection at third base, moves to second, and Heather Vines will be in left
The Highlanders hope Layman starts quickly. She didn't last year, then won eight consecutive decisions, giving up two runs in 39 innings. Second-team All-Group A shortstop Kristy Robinson (.340) is back, along with Marilea Hale in center, Amy VonDerHofen - who missed most of last year with an injury - at catcher, Amanda Rydell at first and Ingrid Moldenhauer at infield and pitcher.
Craig County may struggle behind fourth-year shortstop-outfielder-pitcher Tracy Caldwell, returning catcher Rebekah Peters and a host of young players.
In the Seminole District, Liberty is led by Carr (.481) in the outfield. Second-team All-Timesland infielder Heather Dooley died from cancer this month and the Minettes' season will be dedicated to her.
Carr moves to shortstop and will team with second-team All-Region III pitcher Carla Goff, catcher Sue Cowlbeck, first baseman Crystal Daniels, outfielder Selena Byers - who moves to third - and Anna Bramlett at second.
Staunton River has five starters back in shortstop-second baseman Krista Bowen, second baseman-shortstop Reginia Kirby, first baseman Deana Mitchell, first base-third base-outfielder Holly Nutter and outfielder Heather Newman. Pitcher Jamie Witt, up from the junior varsity, is the reason the Golden Eagles hope to move up in the district.
Roanoke Valley Christian beat North Cross in the consolation game of the Blue Ridge Conference tournament. RVC is young but experienced, led by second baseman Amy Ford, pitcher Amy Helton, shortstop Jessica Davidson - an outfielder last season - leading hitter Dana Hurt (.750) at first base and designated hitter and April Updike and Tomika Finch in the outfield.
The Raiders are led by shortstop Blair Calvert, who pitched last year. She'll make way for rookie hurler Susan Nicely this year. Calvert was quite a hitter, with a .686 average.
Roanoke Catholic won one game a year ago, but comes back with a lot of young, experienced players. Outfielder Alexis Furrow, a second-team all-conference choice who will move to short, leads the way, along with pitcher Katie Dennehy and senior second baseman Elaine Ronquillo.
by CNB