ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020052
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: BUCHANAN
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
WITH ITS COACH on the DL, James River beats Glenvar 12-3 in softball.
Taking a page out of Knute Rockne's book on motivation, James River's softball team won ``one for Gimpy'' as the Knights shellacked Glenvar 12-3 on Wednesday in a Pioneer District game.
The Knights learned just before the game that veteran coach John Shotwell would be missing as he prepares to have surgery on his right knee. Going against perennial power Glenvar might have disheartened many teams, but it didn't faze the Knights.
First, rookie pitcher Claire Kneisley kept the Highlanders under control as she continues to amaze.
Second, James River handed veteran pitcher Amy Layman only her second loss in 11 decisions. Glenvar (10-5 overall, 6-1 in the district) still is in control, but the Knights (6-7, 3-2) are back in the race along with Bath County.
``I'm not a rah-rah type of coach. We have seven starters back. These kids have played together and knew what to do,'' said acting coach Steve Mast. ``John's planned this surgery for some time. It had been postponed once.
``I'm going to call him and tell him he missed a bad game because the winning team got 12 runs. Then I'm going to say it was James River that scored 12.''
Shotwell gave Kneisley a chance to be his team's pitcher this year as she came back to play softball after missing her freshman and sophomore years because of injuries and illness.
``I never expected to play for James River. I play rec ball and I love to pitch. I really missed pitching,'' said Kneisley, who gave up just four hits and two earned runs.
Tiffany Cox had two of James River's four hits and knocked in two runs. Third baseman Angie Sink turned in some great defense in back of Kneisley.
Layman had battled allergies. She started strongly, then succumbed to wildness. The junior threw eight of Glenvar's 10 wild pitches and she walked nine. Three runs scored on wild pitches.
It didn't help that Glenvar second baseman Kelly Julg injured a knee playing AAU basketball, forcing coach Spike Harrison to juggle his infield. Better defense would have kept Glenvar in the game.
``I moved four people. If I had it to do over again, I'd only move one,'' said Harrison.
``James River has beaten us this badly before. But there hasn't been a game where we've looked worse.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 55 linesby CNB