ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 31, 1996 TAG: 9605310041
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
CAVE SPRING moves into the Northwest Region softball final with a 7-0 win over Albemarle.
Finally, Cave Spring has made the Group AAA softball tournament.
The Knights' program started in 1988 and for the last few years has been a perennial participant in the Northwest Region tournament without making it far enough to qualify for the state tournament.
That changed Thursday as Cave Spring (22-2) knocked off Albemarle 7-0 in a regional semifinal at Penn Forest Park. The Knights will play in next week's state tournament. They will also play in the regional final Saturday at a site to be determined after today's semifinal game.
Cave Spring's victory pattern was familiar as the Knights combined good hitting and defense behind steady pitching. The middle of the Cave Spring lineup is no joy for opposing hurlers as cleanup hitter Sarah Oglivie led the attack with two doubles and a single to knock in three runs.
Oglivie singled and scored Cave Spring's first run in the second. She doubled in a second run in the next inning and finished off a five-run fifth that settled matters by doubling home the final two runs.
``It was always our goal to make the state,'' said Oglivie. ``I think our chances were better this year. This is the best hitting team we've had. Everyone seems to be ripping the ball.''
Defensively, three plays helped winning pitcher Kerry Fair stretch her streak to 132/3 scoreless innings in regional play. After Fair gave up two singles to start the fourth, she struck out Albemarle cleanup hitter Bridgett McDaniel.
Then the Knights' defense stepped up. Oglivie caught a foul pop just before it hit the screen and center fielder Kay Brittain made a running catch of a short fly ball.
When Ruth Herring led off the next inning with a single for Albemarle (18-3), the Knights pulled their favorite pick-off play where second baseman Jennifer Haynes slips in behind the runner and takes a snap throw from catcher Jennifer Lupton.
``I wasn't concerned about the runners,'' said Fair, who retired the side in order only in the first inning. ``We have good enough defense to take care of that. I got a little tired toward the end, but I'm ready for the next game.''
First-year coach Lynn Saunders was happy this wasn't a nail-biter like the 8-7 victory over E.C. Glass in the first-round game completed Tuesday.
``I knew we had a good team,'' said Saunders. ``The girls have worked hard. We've gone in the weight room this season. The team is always ready to practice. I could throw a ball up in the air and there would be five of them fighting for it.
``They're so dedicated I don't have to call practice. They tell me when to practice.''
NOTE: Please see microfilm for scores.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB