
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 7, 1995                   TAG: 9506070077
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ST. PAUL                                LENGTH: Medium

ST. PAUL ENDS FLOYD SOFTBALL TITLE HOPES

All good things must come to an end. For Floyd County the end came in the form of Tabitha Penland's right arm.

Penland struck out eight and shackled the Buffaloes with runners in scoring position to lead St.Paul to a 9-2 victory over Floyd in state quarterfinal softball action on Tuesday.

The loss put an end to an improbable run in the state tournament by the Buffaloes (21-2). Despite advancing to the regional playoffs for the past eight years, the Buffaloes had been unable to win a postseason game until this year.

``At the beginning of the year we wanted to win the district, have a winning record, win a regional game and advance to state,'' said Wes Starkey, Floyd County's coach. ``We did those things and then we wanted to advance past this point. I am very proud of what this team has accomplished.''

The Buffaloes had their chances to scorein the early innings, but was unable to produce a big hit against Penland. Floyd was 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the first four innings. In the last three, the Buffaloes did not have a batter come to the plate with a runner in scoring position.

``That was one of the best games I have seen her throw,'' St.Paul coach Randy Mabe said of Penland. ``She seemed to be in control the whole time.''

While Floyd squandered early opportunities to score, St.Paul (18-4) proved to be opportunistic. The Deacons capitalized off Buffaloes miscues to score three runs in the first inning. Leading 4-1, the Deacons broke open the game in the bottom of the fourth .

After the first batter was retired, things unraveled for Floyd. The next six batters reached base, and five scored. The inning's decisive blow was struck by Trish Moore, whose bases-loaded single drove in two runs to give St.Paul a 9-1 lead.

Leigh-Ann Pursifull provided the only bright spot for the Buffaloes. Pursifull, who will play basketball at Winthrop University, hit a home run with two out in the fifth inning. to complete the scoring.left the Buffalo faithful with a stirring goodbye.

With two outs in the fifth inning, Pursifull hit a bomb to left field and easily waltzed around the bases for a home run to complete the game's scoring.

Floyd pitcher J.J. Sowers was haunted by control problems. Sowers issued eight walks, including three in the fourth inning.

by CNB