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

DATE: THURSDAY, August 17, 1995                   TAG: 9508170011
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV6   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: CHRIS KING
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BRAVES CHOP WAY TO TITLE

The team of 11- and 12-year-olds captured both the regular season and tournament crowns to finish the year 11-1. In the tournament finals, the Braves grounded the Bombers by a score of 13-6.

Chance Ratcliff paced the Braves' offense with four RBIs. Justin Barkley contributed three hits and scored two runs, and R.J. Davis had a successful day at the plate with two hits and three runs scored. Kellen Wohlford was the winning pitcher.

The Bombers (8-4) were led at the plate by Matt Akers and Dylan Moore, who recorded two hits each.

Though they won the championship by defeating the Bombers, the Braves biggest challenge came against the Sox (5-8). Entering what could have been their last inning of the season, the Braves trailed the Sox 3-2. With their season hanging in the balance, Wohlford rose to the occasion and smacked a game ending three-run homer in the sixth.

The league's most valuable players were: Matt Burton (Yankees), Michael Tilly (Bombers) and Ratcliff and Wohlford (Braves).

CLASSIC PERFORMANCE: Southern Classic Auto Wash waxed the competition in Christiansburg Men's Open League softball action. Southern Classic finished the regular season 14-1.

A Fast Bounty Hunters and Harmon's Chevrolet finished the regular season tied for second with records of 10-5. All three teams advanced in the first round of the tournament.

Brethren/Mennonite rests atop the Christiansburg Church League standings with a mark of 11-1. Abundant Life is second at 9-3, and Presbyterian currently is third at 8-4.

Chris King writes about community sports and racing for the New River Current.