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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 19, 1995                   TAG: 9507190024
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SO WHAT IF THEIR SEASON WAS SHORT? THEY WERE GREAT

The team formed just a couple of months ago to have the chance to compete.

And compete they did, with kids who had been playing on the same teams for a year or more. The Demons lost two games and were ineligible to go on in competition.

"They played real well," said JAMES DICKENSON, who coaches the team along with head coach LARRY HOWERY.

The team members attended opening ceremonies and were able to get autographs from George Lynch, a former Patrick Henry basketball player who now plays with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The team's short season also was marked by a chance to work with Virginia Tech forward ACE CUSTIS.

The squad includes DEREK BARNETT, JOSH BARNETT, SCOTT BUNN, HUNTER DICKENSON, CHRIS HOWERY, ANDREW HOWERY, DERICK KARR, TROY MEYER and CORY THOMPSON and ANDREW WOODYARD and MATT WOODYARD.

BATTED BALL REPORT: Twice, the Reds (9-2) were one run better than the White Sox (7-4). That was enough to win the regular season and tournament titles in the Pulaski Dixie Debs (ages 13-15) softball league.

In the tournament, the Reds scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to post a 4-3 win. KASSANDRA BLANKENSHIP doubled home CHRISTINE DUNCAN. MELISSA "MOUSE" BLEVINS drew a walk. Then KARI RATCLIFF knocked in Blevins and Blankenship.

JENNY CLAY then pitched shutout ball the final two innings, including retiring the White Sox in order in the sixth, for the win.

The White Sox reached the final with a 9-5 win over the Rockies (6-5). JENNIFER EADES, ASHLEY HURST, MELISSA WALKER and winning pitcher KISHA COOK each batted 3-for-3 for the Sox.

In the regular season finale, SHANNON NEWMAN tripled home ELISHA ORNES and KRISTEN ADKINS for the winning runs as the Reds edged the White Sox 3-2. After allowing two runs in the first, Clay scattered five hits over the last five innings for the win.

Both teams entered the decisive game 6-2 and had split their earlier meetings.

The champion Reds were coached by KIM "BO" NELSON and "SCOTTY" SCOTT.

KAREN HEIDT, Blevins and Adkins shared the league most valuable player award. Adkins was a co-MVP last season.

SULTANS OF SWAT: Southern Classic Car Wash (11-0) remained unbeaten in the Christiansburg Men's Open Softball League. It beat B&R Automotive Dealing and A Fast Bounty Hunters and now holds a three-game lead over Harmons Chevron (8-3).

Blacksburg's Toms Creek Field will be the site of a men's softball tournament Saturday and Sunday. The entry fee is $85. For information, call CHAD LONG at 382-0031.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: Registration starts Monday for fall softball and youth football in Blacksburg at the Community Center.

The town will have four softball leagues: Church, Men's Open, Women's Open and Coed. The cost is $175 per team plus a $20 forfeiture fee. Each league has a limit of eight teams. Registration closes Aug. 11.

Youth football will feature lightweight and heavyweight teams. Players must be ages 9-13 (grades 4-7). The cost is $15.

For information, call the recreation department at 961-1135.

CAMP NEWS: Radford University has three camps next week. The individual basketball camp for girls ages 10-18 is Tuesday to July 28. The pee wee soccer camp (ages 5-7) and boys baseball camp (ages 13-18) is June 26-30.

For information on the camps, call 831-5228.

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Friday is the last day to sign up for golf and tennis lessons in Montgomery County that begin the week of July 23.

Golf lessons are offered at Cox's Driving Range in Blacksburg and Bobby's Golf Center in Christiansburg. The two-week classes are available for Monday-Wednesday and Tuesday-Thursday sections. Classes run 6-7:30 p.m. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for youth.

Tennis lessons are at Blacksburg High School. Beginners are on Monday-Wednesday and intermediate lessons are on Tuesday-Thursday. Classes are 1 1/2 hours long and the sessions last two weeks. The cost is $20 for adults and $15 for youth.

For information, call the recreation department at 382-6978.