Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 15, 1995 TAG: 9504170076
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK BULLOCK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Avalanche ripped 15 hits, including home runs by Forry Wells and Vincente Garcia, to beat Prince William 8-4 on Friday night in the team's Carolina League home opener.
Former No.1 draft choice Jamey Wright was the beneficiary of the offensive outburst, pitching five innings of three-hit ball before reaching his pitch limit. Wright (1-1) struck out five and was in control with the exception of the fourth inning, when the Cannons sent six men to the plate and pushed one run across. But even while struggling, Wright fired a called third strike past Prince William catcher Joe Spinello to end the inning and leave two runners on base.
It was Salem's fifth consecutive victory and left the Avalanche 6-2 on the young season.
``We swung the bats well,'' said Salem manager Bill Hayes. ``Wright pitched a good game and we got some timely hits.''
Among the most timely were a first-inning single by Nate Holdren that produced the game's first two runs, a two-run homer by Forry Wells in the sixth inning, an RBI single by Mark Wells and a double by Mike Higgins that plated another run in the sixth. Garcia got his first extra-base hit and first run batted in by jumping on a first-pitch fastball and lining it over the left-field wall to lead off the Salem fifth inning.
Five consecutive Salem hits in the sixth inning produced four runs and chased Prince William starter Rich Pratt (0-2). Holdren had three hits, as did designated hitter Brian Culp. Forry Wells and Keith Grunewald each had a pair of hits.
``We have a real dangerous lineup,'' said Forry Wells, whose homer was his third of the season. ``Our hitting has been outstanding lately. We had a few guys who were a little overanxious at first, but we're starting to wait and get good pitches to hit.''
One of those who picked his pitches well was Culp, the team's best hitter according to his manager but who had been struggling with only two hits in his first 19 at-bats. He hit the ball hard three times, the last a scorching triple to the wall in right-center field.
``So far, so good,'' Culp said about batting at hitter-friendly Municipal Field. ``I hadn't been swinging very well, so I'm glad to get a few hits.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB