Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 20, 1995 TAG: 9505220011
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Angie Sink's rivals can blame her siblings.
``I've been playing [baseball or softball] ever since T-ball,'' Sink said. ``Dad has pushed me. He's been the person I've looked up to who has wanted me to play all these years. He works with [all of] us on our hitting.''
Her father, Carl, has pushed all of his children to excel in either softball or baseball. Her older brother, Brian, played baseball at James River and Eastern Mennonite and her younger brother, Chad, plays at Botetourt Intermediate.
Sink has been terrorizing opponents with her defense and her offense.
``In three years, she's only made six errors,'' Knights coach John Shotwell said. ``That's phenomenal with as many chances as she gets.''
Sink also routinely takes away the bunt, a big weapon in fast-pitch softball.
``She plays the bunt awesomely,'' Shotwell said. ''She's right there on top of it, has a strong arm and makes an accurate throw to first.''
The junior also can hit. Sink was Timesland's sixth leading hitter going into this week with a .557 batting average.
``She's the best pure hitter I've ever coached,'' Shotwell said. ``She watches the ball right off the bat.''
Sink also is an excellent base runner.
``I really don't have a secret; it comes naturally,'' she said. ``I always watch the pitcher and after every pitch if the fielder doesn't go back to the bag, it gives you a better chance to steal.''
Last season, Sink was a key player on a team that finished second in the Group A state tournament, losing in extra innings to Powhatan. Now she's the captain of a young team that has only three seniors but once again is a postseason threat.
``We've gotten a lot better since the first of the year,'' Sink said. ``We practice real hard to meet all our goals.''
Sink's goal is to play college softball.
``Angie is extremely smart and a complete player. The only thing she'll do is get better and better,'' Shotwell said. ``I think we'll get her a scholarship somewhere if she continues playing as she has been playing.''
But Sink said playing softball year-round can ``get old'' and doesn't plan on playing this summer, unless ...
``I guess if my dad wants me to play, I'll play,'' she said.
Which can only be bad news for her opponents.
by CNB