ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 1997 TAG: 9704090060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: IN THE REGION
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Virginia Tech's John Dattalo was named the Colonial Athletic Association wrestler of the year Tuesday.
Dattalo, a senior, won the 167-pound title at the CAA meet after compiling an 18-0 record in dual matches. Dattalo qualified for the NCAA championships for the second consecutive year and finished his career with a 140-26 record.
Hokies freshman Eric Hall shared rookie of the year honors with James Madison's Elliot Williams. American's Jim Akerly was named coach of the year.
BASEBALL
Radford win streak ends
Jay Ashcraft had four hits, including a three-run first-inning homer, as Virginia Commonwealth (19-15) pounded out an 11-5 victory over the Highlanders at Dedmon Center Park, snapping Radford's five-game winning streak.
Mike Lombardi had three hits for the Highlanders (17-19). Freshman starter Mike Zimmerman gave up eight runs on seven hits in 11/3 innings.
Virginia Tech: Liberty scored three times in the seventh inning to break open an 8-8 game and went on to a 12-9 victory over the Hokies in Blacksburg.
Jim Clinton's solo home run in the seventh broke the tie and was one of 17 hits for the Flames (14-18). Tech (18-17) got a three-run homer from Barry Gauch, a two-run shot from Kris Turberville and a solo blast from Matt Griswold.
SOFTBALL
Tech rallies past Marshall
Beth Drombetta's one-out, two-run single capped a four-run seventh inning that gave the Hokies an 8-7 victory over Marshall in Blacksburg.
Michele Meadows led the way with three hits as Tech (17-20) surpassed its victory total of 1996, the program's first season. Michelle Johnson (7-7) picked up the victory. Marshall is 25-19.
Ferrum: Audra Freeman went 7-for-9 and drove in three runs for the Panthers as they split a Dixie Conference doubleheader with visiting North Carolina Wesleyan.
Freeman was 5-for-5 in the opener as Ferrum won 8-7. Michele Francis' solo homer was a bright spot for the Panthers (14-19, 2-6) in the nightcap as the Bishops (19-11, 4-4), ranked 20th in the latest NCAA Division III poll, won 15-10.
Radford: Katie Phillips (13-8) pitched a five-inning no-hitter, striking out eight, as Liberty blanked the Highlanders 11-0 in a Big South Conference game in Lynchburg. Radford is 18-21 overall and 3-6 in the conference; Liberty is 24-14, 7-2.
Roanoke: Kelly Fackler (Fieldale-Collinsville) went 6-for-9 with four doubles and five RBI to lead Lynchburg (15-11) to a doubleheader sweep of the Maroons (6-20) in Salem. The Hornets used a 12-run fourth inning to win the opener 20-2, then took the second game 5-3 behind an RBI double by Michelle Hudson (Franklin County).
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Oglesby sparks Roanoke
Ali Oglesby scored six goals and added an assist as the Maroons trounced Bridgewater 14-3 in Salem.
Kara Hedges added a hat trick and Lisa Franzino and Ellie Page scored twice for Roanoke, ranked fifth in the NCAA Division III poll.
ETC.
Bone-marrow drive
Martinsville Speedway and the American Red Cross of Virginia will hold a bone-marrow drive 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 16 in honor of Winston Cup team owner Rick Hendrick, who was diagnosed with leukemia in November.
The drive is an opportunity to become part of a nationwide network of people willing to donate their healthy bone marrow to someone whose only chance of survival is a transplant.
Tech women's basketball: William Byrd graduate Sherry Banks was named the outstanding defensive player and received the inspiration award at the Hokies' annual banquet. Other Tech players honored were: Kim Seaver, offensive player; Renee Maitland, most improved player; and Kristin Burke, best practice player. Katie O'Connor and Lisa Witherspoon were recognized for academic achievement during the school year.
UVa men's soccer: Virginia's Mike Fisher is a first-team member of the GTE Academic All-America University Division Fall/Winter At-Large Team. Teammate Andriy Shapowal made the second team.
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