THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503250092
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 159 lines
GREEN RUN AND First Colonial both went far a year ago, Green Run to a Beach District title, First Colonial to the state semifinals.
Each returns a slew of talent and is hungry for more success. But with both residing in the same district, is there enough room at the top for these two quality baseball teams?
Since two Beach teams can advance to the Eastern Region tournament, the answer is a qualified ``yes.''
``I'm excited,'' said first-year Green Run head coach Jeff Ballance, who took over after Gary Spedden moved to Ocean Lakes. ``Plus, I'm nervous because everyone expects us to do well. We're just trying to stay focused. If we come in second, some might say we haven't done our job.''
The 10-team Beach District is playing a 16-game district schedule to allow teams to play out-of-district games. Under Virginia High School League rules, had the Beach opted for an all-inclusive 18-game schedule, they would not have been allowed any out-of-district regular-season games.
So each team will face two of its district foes only once during the regular season. As a result First Colonial and Green Run will meet only once, April 28 at Plaza Little League.
``If we win that one game, it's great,'' said First Colonial coach Norbie Wilson. ``If we don't, it's not so great.''
A look at the other districts in South Hampton Roads:
Eastern District: Granby is powerful and experienced, with big Frank Thompson providing much of the clout. Lake Taylor and Maury could contend.
Southeastern District: Great Bridge, Indian River and Western Branch are expected to battle for supremacy, but the edge goes to Great Bridge. Sophomore pitcher Mike Cuddyer (8-1) was a freshman sensation.
A team-by-team preview of the Beach District:
GREEN RUN
Coach: Jeff Ballance
Last year: 21-3 overall, 14-2 district
Top returnees: P-1B Chris Elmore, P-SS David Abbott, C John Defere, 2B-SS Gene Mugler, OF Joe Clark, OF Eddie McInnis, INF-OF Chip Basnight, OF-P Marvin Williams, 3B Jason Healy, 1B-P Eric John.
Top newcomers: P-OF Will Somerindyke, INF John Black, OF Brian Buttolph.
Outlook: When North Carolina-signee Elmore (6-0, 2.38 earned run average) is on the mound, Green Run may be the most talented team in the state. Abbott was the Beach District's MVP last year despite not making first team at either shortstop or pitcher. But he did both well enough (.308 batting average, 4-1 record, 0.72 ERA). Clark (.361) and Basnight (.333) are also returning first-team all-district selections.
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Norbie Wilson
Last year: 19-8, 11-5
Top returnees: P-1B-DH Jamie Booth, OF David Winter, 3B A.T. Vasta, 1B Brad Tetlow, C Ryan Dunbar, OF Jason Bozard, P Steve Johnson, P Ed Manley, 2B Nate Frost.
Top newcomers: P-1B Parker Friske, SS Steve Tyler, OF Tom Horvath, OF Brian Ruzzi, 3B Greg Lang.
Outlook: Radford-signee Booth (.472) should provide a lively bat and capable arm in one of the best pitching rotations to come along in some time. Johnson and Manley both pitched well in postseason. Leadoff-man Winter (.358) is also a returning all-district player. Lost to nationally ranked state champion Clover Hill, 1-0, in state semifinals last June.
TALLWOOD
Coach: Ray Barlow
Last year: 8-12, 5-11
Top returnees: P-1B Jeff Gathings, SS-OF Andrew Wissinger, P-INF Steve Cooley, C Mike Cooley, OF Francis DelCarmen, 2B-SS Jay Doll, C-P-OF Miquel St. Anna Maria, OF Bernard Williams, OF Chris Miller.
Top newcomers: 1B-OF Justin Ruffin, C Keith Esola, OF Kevin Esola.
Outlook: The Lions' football and basketball teams have gotten over the hump in the school's third year of existence, making it to regional play. Can baseball do the same? Barlow says he has enough pitching, team speed, hitting and defense. The Lions are tough when Gathings has the ball.
SALEM
Coach: Randy Sterling
Last year: 11-9, 9-7
Top returnees: OF Eric Stagemeyer, OF Jeffrey Bates, SS Justin Kerznet, P-INF Pete Blachford, P-1B Tommy Hubba, C Conan Javier.
Top newcomers: OF Curtis Sanders, 2B Justin Cole, P Pete Hubba, P Brian Evans, 3B Janus Merchant, UTL Jesse Hunter.
Outlook: Javier moves from the outfield to behind the plate. If that move is successful, Salem could contend. Leadoff lefty Sanders is just one of several speedy outfielders. And Stagemeyer was first-team all-district a year ago.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Leon Proffitt
Last year: 9-10, 6-10
Top returnees: C Glenn Davis, C Troy Semones, 1B Anthony Bartolotta, 2B Fontaine Barber, SS Jeff Tignor, OF Ray Gatlin, OF Justin Sharp.
Top newcomers: P Scott Schneider, P Joey Cavallo, INF Anthony Szalyga, OF Mike Pollock, INF C.K. Gregory.
Outlook: The Cavaliers hope young arms Schneider and Cavallo provide quality pitching. If so, they can be an upper-division contender.
KELLAM
Coach: Jim Moxey
Last year: 6-13, 3-13
Top returnees: P-OF Mike Alexander, C-OF Ron Easley, INF John Fruit, INF Rusty Lee, C-OF Rob Limjoco, INF Jason McFaul, P-1B Mike Shaughnessy, P-INF Tim Sturcken.
Top newcomers: P-OF Pieri Burton, INF Mike Godwin, P-OF Tim Walston.
Outlook: Injuries have plagued the Knights in years past and it's been some time since they have contended. But Sturcken is coming off a solid junior campaign and many coaches label Kellam ``the dark horse.''
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: Todd Perdue
Last year: 7-13, 5-11
Top returnees: C Mike Hilliard, OF Fred Sanders, P-1B-OF Derrick Capps, INF Kevin Carpenter, 3B Matt Wryk, OF Brandon Farmer, P-OF Ryan Peshek, 1B Brian Steadman.
Top newcomers: INF Kevin Flanagan, INF Casey Costello, C Jon McKinney, OF Nick Boyd.
Outlook: Hilliard and Sanders will need to provide leadership to an otherwise unproven and somewhat inexperienced lineup.
BAYSIDE
Coach: Terry Gowin
Last year: 8-9, 7-9
Top returnees: C Matt Clark, OF Dave Clark, SS Detrict Land, 3B-P Ernie James, OF Jeff Wallace, OF Mike Cardona.
Top newcomers: P-3B P.J. Fleenor, 1B Andy Callow, OF Ryan Maddox, P Chris Lemley.
Outlook: The Marlins will look for Dave Clark to anchor the outfield and Land to spearhead the infield. And they need solid catching from Matt Clark. But most importantly, the pitching must improve and Bayside must hit more consistently.
COX
Coach: John Ingram
Last year: 14-7, 12-4
Top returnees: OF-P Sean Carley, OF-P Chris Hobbs, OF Jeff Kachuba, OF-P Tim Bassingthwaite.
Top newcomers: SS Tim Lavigne, 2B Ted Tignor, P-OF Jason Dubois, C Brandon Ramsey, 3B Aaron Strausbaugh, 1B David Wilson, OF-P Frank McDonell, 3B James Jackson.
Outlook: Contenders a year ago, the Falcons are rebuilding after losing their entire starting lineup. Ingram hopes Cox can withstand early knocks, then become a factor down the stretch.
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Gary Spedden
Last year: First season
Top players: P-INF Pat Abelon, OF-P Mike Reed, OF-P John Deere, OF Rob Robinson, OF Anthony Roonis, INF-P James Walsh, INF-P Jack Wheeler, OF-P Troy Williams, INF Joe Young, INF-OF-P Mike Bauer; OF-P Joe Brisgone, C Chad Cloutier, INF-C R.J. Davis, INF-P John Simon, INF Marc St. Clair.
Outlook: Spedden took Green Run to a district title in two years. Look for the Dolphins to contend . . . next year. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by PETER D. SUNDBERG
Green Run's David Abbott was the Beach District's MVP last year
despite not making first team at either shortstop or pitcher.
Among top returnees for Green Run this year are pitcher/first
baseman Chris Elmore, left, catcher John Defere and outfielder Joe
Clark.
by CNB