THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 1, 1994 TAG: 9406010628
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940601 LENGTH: CHESAPEAKE
And then there's Greenbrier Christian Academy's Daryn Bettis, who started off by almost never getting started.
{REST} As a freshman at Great Bridge, Bettis didn't make the baseball team's cut. The following year, the Wildcats cut Bettis again.
This probably comes as a shock to anyone who watched Bettis Saturday, when the senior rapped out three hits, including the first-inning RBI triple which energized the Gators towards a 14-3 whipping of Kenston Forest in the Virginia Independent Schools Division I championship game.
The effort was enough to earn Bettis The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star's athlete of the week award. It also raises an interesting question: Did Great Bridge miss the boat on this guy?
``I was a lot smaller back then,'' the 5-11, 150-pound Bettis said. ``And Great Bridge had a lot of good players. But I never gave up on myself. I knew I'd make it sooner or later. All I needed was a chance.''
Bettis' chance came when he transferred to Greenbrier three years ago and became an instant fixture for the Gators in leftfield. The Gators won the first of their three consecutive state titles, and Bettis was named the team's rookie of the year.
The following season, Bettis played every position except first base as the Gators rolled to another state crown. And all he did this season was hit .417 with 36 runs scored and 30 RBI while playing expertly at his natural position, shortstop.
``As far as we're concerned, he's the best shortstop we saw all season,'' Greenbrier athletic director Ed Bailey said.
Bettis also did some pitching, coming within one out of throwing a perfect game. An error on Greenbrier's third baseman forced Bettis to settle for a mere no-hitter.
Such versatility, combined with his quick bat, has made Bettis an intriguing prospect for several colleges.
Bettis said he plans to improve his college stock even more playing American Legion ball this summer.
Meanwhile, he continues to keep tabs on Great Bridge, which has won 15 straight games heading into tonight's Eastern Region semifinal against First Colonial.
But after being a part of three state championship teams, don't expect Bettis to play the ``What if. . .?'' game.
``I don't regret a thing,'' he said. ``I like Great Bridge a lot, but I love it here.'' by CNB