THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, July 28, 1994                TAG: 9407280667
SECTION: SPORTS                   PAGE: C9   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   50 lines

SELF PITCHES DISTRICT 8 TEAM TO ITS 1ST STATE SOFTBALL TITLE IN 3 YEARS

Not only did Donna Self win Wednesday's pitching duel against Woodbridge hurler Joanna Penn, but she brought the Virginia State Big League Softball title back to District 8 for the first time in three years in a 3-0 nail-biter at Plaza Little League.

Self's finesse and her team's nearly perfect defense were enough to overcome Penn's 60-plus-mph fastball.

Penn, who struck out 12 District 8 batters, allowed only four hits.

Self started District 8's offensive attack in the second, and Missy Newby followed with a shot into the gap. Sharon McClannan reached first while advancing Self and Newby on a bunt.

Self was thrown out at home when Lisa Newnam hit a hard grounder to third baseman Amy Wilfong. But Newby was able to score when Hallie Kile hit a shot past first baseman Shari Mayr. Second baseman Melissa Pickel recovered the ball to put out Kile unassisted.

Woodbridge shortstop Gretchen Farewell then overthrew first base on Michelle Hampton's grounder, scoring McClannan and Newnam.

Self put the Woodbridge batters down in order in the first two innings and gave up the first of only two hits in the third when Macy Price hit a blooper to right. The defense got Self out of the inning without damage.

Self didn't allow a runner to pass first until the bottom of the seventh. Woodbridge's Penn started off the inning with a hit up the middle.

She advanced when Talia Lake hit a line drive to shortstop Stephanie White. The ball went off White's glove for District 8's only error of the game.

With runners in scoring position, Self got Stephanie Heit to pop up to McClannan for the first out.

Then Farewell hit a line shot back at Self. She could have easily doubled off either runner to end the game, but the shock of the line drive and nerves kept her from throwing the ball.

With two outs, Price hit a high fly ball to leftfielder Michelle Coates for the final out.

District 8 advances to the divisional tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C. They will face the West Virginia team at 4 p.m. Saturday. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Donna Self threw a two-hitter as District 8 stopped Woodbridge, 3-0,

on Wednesday.

by CNB