THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 1, 1994 TAG: 9406010629
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940601 LENGTH: NORFOLK
Start with the Beach District - First Colonial and Green Run - versus the Southeastern District - Great Bridge and Western Branch.
{REST} Add the best coach, First Colonial's Norbie Wilson, against the area dean, Great Bridge's Martin Oliver.
Finish with the best pitcher, player and prospect, Western Branch's Jimmy Anderson, against the best team, Green Run.
A closer look at the games:
\ FIRST COLONIAL vs. GREAT BRIDGE
Time: 5 p.m.
Records: First Colonial (16-7); Great Bridge (20-3).
Pitchers: Steve Johnson (5-1, 1.60) vs. Brian Brantley (6-0, 1.45) or Mike Cuddyer (8-0, 2.19).
Analysis: First Colonial, playing in their seventh consecutive region tournament, looked almost professional in clobbering Kecoughtan, 9-0, in Monday's quarterfinals. The Patriots' offense, led by leadoff hitter Dave Winter, has Great Bridge coach Martin Oliver most concerned. Oliver, who is shooting for career victory No. 304, would like to start Brantley on the mound and leave Cuddyer at shortstop to bolster his defense. Should he go with Cuddyer, however, there are still risks. The brilliant freshman hasn't faced this kind of pressure before, nor has Johnson, a sophomore. But simply wearing Patriots across the front of one's jersey seems to have a calming effect in these situations.
Great Bridge also has a fine tablesetter in Rufus Hinton, who had three hits and two runs in the Wildcats' 8-3 win over Granby. Great Bridge has won 15 straight games with timely hits through the lineup.
\ WESTERN BRANCH vs. GREEN RUN
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Records: Western Branch (18-5); Green Run (21-2)
Pitchers: Jimmy Anderson (8-0, 0.09) vs. Chad Lee (5-0, 1.80)
Analysis: Anderson isn't invincible, it only seems that way. Twice the Bruins lost games this year after he came out and that might be the Stallions' best hope. On the other hand Green Run is arguably the best hitting team Anderson has faced. The Stallions beat Bethel's hard-throwing lefthander Chris Ochsenfeld in the quarterfinals - the perfect tuneup for facing Anderson.
The wildcard factor is Lee, a crafty lefthander. He pitched a no-hitter in April and if he can shut down the Bruins' best lefthanded batters - outfielder Dre Bly and Anderson - it should be a close, low-scoring game. Green Run has excelled in those situations; the Stallions beat First Colonial three times by one run. In a close game the huge area behind home plate at ODU becomes a factor on wild pitches and passed balls. Western Branch catcher Nick Ardagna is the Bruins' unsung hero for his ability to handle Anderson. by CNB