ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 14, 1997 TAG: 9704150027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FREDERICK, MD.
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
Tom Stepka pitches the Avalanche's first complete game as Salem splits a doubleheader.
Right-hander Tom Stepka pitched Salem's first complete game of the baseball season and the Avalanche earned its first shutout with an 8-0 victory over the Frederick Keys in the first game of a Carolina League doubleheader Sunday.
Frederick won the second game 3-2.
Stepka (1-1) allowed six hits and had no walks in seven innings. Keys starter Eric Estes took the loss.
Salem (3-7) scored six runs in the first two innings, its biggest offensive outburst since an 11-6 loss on opening day. Third baseman Jamie Taylor was 3-for-4 with four runs batted in and left fielder David Feuerstein had two RBI. Chad Gambill came alive with a 3-for-4 performance and one RBI.
Steve Shoemaker pitched five strong innings, allowing just four hits and striking out six in the second game, but the Avalanche relief corps couldn't hold the Keys (5-3), who scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.
Gambill was 1-for-2 with an RBI and Taylor had two more hits. Designated hitter Rod Bair drove in Salem's other run.
The Avalanche begins a four-game series today at Wilmington. NOTE: please see microfilm for statistics.
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines KEYWORDS: BASEBALLby CNB