ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, June 5, 1996 TAG: 9606050040
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
When Glenvar's Amy Layman walked the first two hitters Tuesday, it appeared the Highlander softball pitcher would have to battle the wildness that has sometimes plagued a tremendous career.
Although both runners scored, Layman walked only one other hitter and didn't give up a hit as Glenvar smacked St.Paul 7-2 in an opening round Group A tournament game at Green Hill Park.
``I was really tense and I've been having trouble with my back,'' the junior said. ``I'd been thinking about that. I decided to forget about that and worry about it later.''
Layman struck out 12 hitters. No St.Paul batter got the ball out of the infield. After the two walks, two other batters reached on errors, but during one stretch, Layman mowed down 18 Deacons in a row.
After the two-run first, Layman didn't permit another base runner until the seventh when she issued a one-out walk to Jamie Trent, who was gunned down trying to steal second. After an error, Layman got Jonna Marcus on a pop-up to end the game and put the Highlanders (20-5) in a state semifinal game at Green Hill Park on Friday at 4:30 p.m. against Honaker, which beat Castlewood 7-2 in another first-round game.
``Amy's best game was up in Parry McCluer when she pitched a no-hitter,'' said Glenvar coach Spike Harrison. ``Today she had a bad start and she was a little nervous at the end. Innings two through six, though, she had total control of her pitches.''
When Layman started out with two walks, she pounded the ground. Catcher Tara Huff went out to settle the right-hander down.
``I was worried she'd let those walks go to her head. She was a little mad at herself,'' said Harrison. ``The players on this team are good with each other. So the catcher went out and told her, `No more of that stuff.'''
St.Paul coach Randy Mabe was impressed with Layman. He had seen her pitch two years ago as a freshman.
``She's improved a lot. She didn't have as much speed then. Now she has a rocking pitch [change-up] that took our number four hitter by surprise [for the first out in the seventh],'' said Mabe.
Glenvar was facing a sling-shot pitcher in St.Paul's Amy Brewer and scored its first two runs on a double steal with runners on first and third. It also worked for another run later with St.Paul getting the runner at second, but giving up a run in the process.
``We warned our players not to go for that, but they did. Those runs made a difference,'' said Mabe.
``We don't hit that well,'' said Harrison. ``I'd sacrifice an out for a run anytime. I can't believe they went for it three times, though.''
Glenvar's only offense came in the fourth when the Highlanders put three hits together with a walk and two wild pitches for a run. Chrissy Lewis singled in one run and she scored on a grounder by Ingrid Moldenhouer for a 4-2 lead.
Honaker brings in another sling-shot pitcher, according to Harrison.
``We hadn't seen one in a long time until today. It's good we saw one to get ready for another one. Honaker is a better hitting team, so I don't imagine Amy will have a no-hitter,'' he said.
St.Paul||200-000-0---2-0-1
Glenvar||110-212-x---7-3-2
Brewer and J.Trent; Layman and Huff. W-Layman. L-Brewer.
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Laymanby CNB