Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 19, 1995 TAG: 9506190030
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Salem Avalanche accomplished more than just a three-game sweep with a 5-2 victory over the Frederick Keys on Sunday at Municipal Stadium. The Avalanche finally caught the Kinston Indians in the Carolina League's standings.
If that sends baseball enthusiasts scratching their noggins and in search of a newspaper to check the standings - after all, the Avalanche trailed the runaway Indians by 12 1/2 games before Sunday - there's something important to remember here:
The first half of the season ended with the Father's Day matinee. When play begins again on Tuesday, everyone's record will be 0-0.
``We picked up twelve and a half games today,'' Salem manager Bill Hayes said. ``We had a good day today. We had a good two weeks today.''
Hayes hopes there will be more days like these in the second half. Kinston, which finished 45-24, still will be tough, but Hayes has reason to believe that his team, which has won three in a row and four of five, can compete with the Indians. Salem finished third in the Southern Division with a 34-36 record.
The Avalanche got three strong pitching performances in improving to 6-0 against Frederick at Municipal Field this season. Keith Barnes (4-4) allowed five hits and two runs in 52/3 innings. Scott Larock pitched 21/3 innings of hitless relief before Matt Aminoff worked a scoreless ninth for his eighth save.
Salem's three starting pitchers - Doug Walls, Jamey Wright and Barnes - allowed just four earned runs and 14 hits in 212/3 innings during the three-game set.
``We got three well-pitched games,'' Hayes said.
The Avalanche got big hits, too. Nate Holdren smacked a two-run homer in the fifth to make it 4-1, and Forry Wells led off the eighth with a pinch-hit homer to make it 5-2. Holdren and Wells have 10 homers apiece, tying them with Mark Wells for the team lead.
``I believe this is a team that can stay with [the Indians],'' Holdren said. ``We've been streaky. If we avoid those three- or four-game ruts we get in, we'll be fine.''
Chris Sexton put Salem ahead 2-0 in the second inning with a two-out double. That came after two walks issued by Frederick's Rachaad Stewart (3-7), who allowed six of the nine walks charged to Keys pitchers.
``You saw our whole season today,'' said Frederick manager Mike O'Berry, whose club's 27-41 record is worst in the league. ``We have a young pitching staff that makes mistakes our offense can't overcome.''
O'Berry, whose team trailed Prince William by nine games in the Northern Division, echoed Hayes' feelings about stopping the season and starting over.
``It's like Christmas time,'' he said.
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
by CNB