Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 12, 1995 TAG: 9504120031
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-9 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
In his last three starts, all of which have been against Big South Conference foes, Abbott, a criminal justice major, has been flawless. The senior went the distance for the victory in each start and struck out 38, including a school record 15 against preseason favorite UNC Greensboro.
"Jimmy has four pitches, and when he has three of them working he is very tough to hit, because you don't know what is coming," said Radford coach Lew Kent. "When he has all four working it can be something special."
In his last start Abbott had everything going. The right-hander hurled a five-hit shutout and struck out 13 to lead the Highlanders to a 5-0 victory over Charleston Southern on Friday. For the season Abbott has a record of 5-2 with an earned run average of 3.81.
While Abbott has posted gaudy strikeout numbers this season, 74 in 632/3 innings, the difference has been experience and his competitive nature.
"If I make them hit my pitch I know that I can get them out," Abbott said. "Even if I go out there without my good stuff I know I can pitch a good game - that is what three years under your belt does. I don't rattle easy, and I never want to come out of the game, that makes me try harder. I know if I don't pitch well I can't stay in the game."
Despite this season's success, the game has not always come easy for Abbott. Last year he watched his ERA soar and his confidence plummet, which led to a trip to the Northeast Collegiate Baseball League last summer.
Abbott got a chance to face top collegiate competition in the New York based league (he played in Geneva, N.Y.), and more importantly regain confidence.
"I didn't throw well at the end of last season and had some confidence problems," Abbott said. "Last summer I threw very well. Every time I went on the mound I felt like I had to prove to them I could pitch, and that gave me the confidence back that I needed."
"Jimmy has been our big game pitcher," Kent said. "He has been here four years and he has gotten better each year. He is a very tough competitor."
A tough competitor on the field, he hopes to be a tough guy off of it. Abbott hopes to work for either the Federal Bureau of Investigation or Drug Enforcement Agency upon graduation, and eventually become a sniper. He was a competitive rifle shooter in high school and is an avid hunter.
But for the time being it is Abbott and five fellow seniors who are doing the hunting. They appear to be heading for a fourth consecutive winning season, which would make them the first class in Radford history to never have a losing season, and possibly a Big South Crown. The Highlanders have taken two-out-of-three from both UNC Greensboro and Winthrop, who were picked to finish 1-2 in the preseason poll, which will allow them to control their own destiny.
"The biggest goal for the six seniors is to go to regionals (which would require them to capture the conference title), we have been close every year," Abbott said. "We have to play every game hard, and win the tough conference games."
To win those tough conference games, Abbott will be the man called upon to gun down the competition.
"I am a guy who likes pressure and pitches better when it is there," Abbott said. "I rise to the level of competition, but I also don't consider myself the ace on this team. We work together, because without the other eight guys we couldn't win."
Etc. With one swing of the bat against UNC Charlotte, Duane Filchner broke Radford's career records for RBI (152) and home runs (26). Filchner also broke the RU record for career hits against the 49ers. Both records had previously been held by Denny Van Pelt. Former Northside star Kelly Dampeer has shattered the RU single season home run mark with 12. Former William Byrd star Chris Carr made his first start for RU against UNCC. Carr worked five innings and gave up only one run, but received a no-decision in the 10-5 Highlander victory.
In the season's most improbable statistic rightfielder Bill Breenan is 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts. While Breenan attributes his success to sound baserunning Radford assistant Sports Information Director Mike Ashley had other ideas.
"Bill has been on the back end of 11 double-steals," quipped Ashley.
Epp's Best: Gymnast Christie Epperly wrapped her career in fine fashion Saturday night at NCAA Southeast Regionals.
Epperly, a Cave Spring graduate, finished 16th overall and sixth among at-large competitors, with a score of 37.425. It was Epperly's third consecutive appearance in the Southeast Regionals since she transferred to RU from Cal State Fullerton.
She holds school records in the floor exercise (9.8), the balance beam (9.7), the vault (9.8) and the all-around (38.425). Epperly will graduate as the Highlanders most decorated gymnast ever.
Out of the Woods? The RU softball team has made dramatic improvement in its fourth year of existence. After winning only 23 games in its first three years, Jeff Woods' squad has won a school record 19 games this season.
Leading RU has been freshman shortstop Melissa Pickel, who is batting .408 with a school record four home runs. Another key to the Highlander improvement has been the pitching of Caroline Henderson and Sherre Fletcher. The sophomore duo has a combined ERA of 3.41.
For a short stint this season the team was under the direction of assistant coach Charlie Gunter. Woods was an assistant coach on the USA's men's field hockey team in the Pan American games.
Keywords:
BASEBALL
by CNB