THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 31, 1995 TAG: 9503290155
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 145 lines
INDIAN RIVER WAS cruising along at 6-1 last season, ready to contend for the Southeastern District title when the Braves received a bad break. More specifically, David Bailey was the recipient.
Bailey broke an ankle on a play at the plate against Wilson and the Braves never did fully recover.
Bailey, however, has recovered and a new season awaits.
``He's really motivated to prove himself,'' Indian River coach Steve West said. ``Last year was going to be a big year for him. Now he's ready to cash it in this year.''
The Braves expect to ring up their share of victories this season in what could be the most wide-open race the Southeastern District has witnessed in some time.
No fewer than four teams - Indian River, Great Bridge, Churchland and Western Branch - are considered quality title contenders and two others - Deep Creek and Oscar Smith - are expected to give opponents insomnia.
Last season, Western Branch had super lefty Jimmy Anderson, who mowed down hitters with unparalleled regularity. There isn't anyone to match Anderson, but there are enough tough left-handers in the district to give hitters fits.
Churchland has Robert Jones, Deep Creek has Joey Tonetti, Oscar Smith has Mark Caudell and Great Bridge has Steve Eudy and Alton Todd.
``In high school baseball, you just don't see an overabundance of left-handers,'' West said. ``So if you have a good one, he can do some damage. My problem is, I don't even have a lefty to pitch batting practice.''
If there is a darkhorse, it's Churchland.
``Robert Jones has really come around,'' said Churchland coach Carl Rhodes. ``Chris Kelley pitched well in scrimmages and Brent Sivels pitched well last year, although we're still getting his arm ready for this season. If those two guys come around, we should be as good as anyone in the district.''
A lot of Southeastern District coaches have similar ideas.
A look at the other districts in South Hampton Roads:
Beach District: Do you like the team that finished last season ranked No. 1 in the area and returns much of its talent (Green Run)? Or do you like the team that heated up in the regional tournament and advanced to the state semifinals and returns much of its talent (First Colonial)? How about both?
Eastern District: Maury has pitcher Todd Davidson, who was a force last season. Granby has the big bat of Frank Thompson.
A team-by-team preview of the Southeastern District:
INDIAN RIVER
Coach: Steve West
Last year: 12-9 overall, 7-7 district
Top returnees: 2B-1B Duane Barnes, P-1B David Bailey, OF Jeremiah Burns, P-INF Eddie Byrum, OF Matt Davis, C Skip Harrison, 3B Brett Linhardt, OF-P Keith Reynolds.
Top newcomers: SS Doug Basnight, OF Adam Vaughan, OF Chris Coltrain.
Outlook: Byrum and Reynolds are the only returners who hit better than .300 a year ago. Bailey, back from a broken ankle that cut his junior season short, is determined to prove himself. Harrison behind the plate is a plus.
CHURCHLAND
Coach: Carl Rhodes
Last year: 8-8, 7-7
Top returnees: INF Gary Denette, INF-P Brent Sivils, OF Dale Heely, 1B Andy Thompson, 1B-P Brian Hill, OF Aaron Bailey, P-1B Robert Jones, C Chris May, OF Otis Jones, 3B Jason Lawson.
Top newcomers: OF-P Chris Kelley, INF Jeff Bristow, C Justin Shomaker, OF Chris Adams, INF Mike Wright.
Outlook: The Truckers appear poised to make a district-title run and Jones has given a strong indication that he could be tough to hit this season. Sivels and Kelley should add depth at pitching. Bailey is coming off an all-district campaign and more good things are expected.
DEEP CREEK
Coach: Scott Hughes
Last year: 7-11, 5-9
Top returnees: INF Jake Conner, OF Craig Copeland, INF David McLamb, P Joey Tonetti, INF Gerri White.
Top newcomers: INF-C Luis Medina, OF Doug Dearmond, INF Justin Baker, OF Shelton Daniels, P Damon Knox, INF Antonio Scott, C Jason Dunaway, OF Wes Barnett, OF Mike Gettier, INF-P Tony Moore, P Nick Cuffee, P Tim Griffin.
Outlook: Tonetti gives the Hornets a tough left-hander. But another pitcher must come to the forefront. Three of the candidates - Moore, Cuffee and Griffin - are sophomores. Deep Creek is young, but could be good.
GREAT BRIDGE
Coach: Martin Oliver
Last year: 20-4, 13-1
Top returnees: SS-P Mike Cuddyer, OF Larry Bowles, 3B-C Zach Younce, OF
Spencer Sigmon, 1B-OF Brad Flora, C-1B-3B Jeff Myers, SS-2B-OF Mike Oliphant,
P Steve Eudy. WESTERN BRANCH
Coach: Jim Stanko
Last year: 19-7, 12-2
Top returnees: C Nick Ardagna, CF Dre Bly, P Matt Hemmis, RF Eric Beaver, P
Dale Goodrich, LF Jeff Leiker, 1B-DH Pat Cusick, SS James Fitscar, 3B Corey
Bauswell.
Top newcomers: 2B David Powders, 1B Doug Brennan, C Stephen Gardner, OF
Bruce Austin, 2B-OF Andrew Powers.
Outlook: Left-handed pitcher Jimmy Anderson has moved on to the Pittsburgh
Pirates minor-league organization, which is a blessing for the opposition. But
Old Dominion University-signee Ardagna behind the plate and Bly, a North
Carolina football signee and likely baseball draft pick, give Bruins' foes
plenty to worry about.
OSCAR SMITH
Coach: Ernie Rogers
Last year: 5-14, 3-11
Top returnees: OF Brian Lewis, OF Jamar Lewis, SS-P Jason Hand, 2B Chris
James, OF-P Wesley James, P Tony Midgette, OF-INF Ryan Zuidervaart, 1B-P Mark
Caudell, C Shawn Allen, OF Ronnie Anderson.
Top newcomers: SS-P Renaldo Edmunds, INF Brian Dunlow, INF Anwar Sparrow,
INF Jeff Ryder, OF Alvin Keels.
Outlook: The Tigers have eight players back who started all or part of last
season. Caudell is expected to be the pitching staff's workhorse and if Hand,
Goodwin and Edmunds come around in a hurry this team could contend.
NORCOM
Coach: Leroy Williams
Last year: 4-13, 2-12
Top returnees: 2B Rod Richardson, 3B Lennie Wilson, C Richard DeBerry, P-C
Deon Boone, SS-P Leroy Coker, P-1B Eric Atkins, C-OF Casey Stone.
Top newcomers: SS-C Richard Clayton, INF Belton Taylor, C-3B Ryant Carr, OF
Benjamin Smith, P-INF-OF Lewis Taylor.
Outlook: The Greyhounds look to move out of the cellar and will count on
the trio of Richardson, Wilson and DeBerry, who are all coming off solid
junior campaigns.
WILSON
Coach: Joe Ladisic
Last year: 7-8, 7-7
Top returnees: SS-P Daniel Forbes, OF Joe Tuck, C-P Brad Ragland.
Top newcomers: P-1B Brian Settle, P-OF Scott Parker, P-C-SS Danny Self, C
Paul Connolly, 2B Jeremy Cross.
Outlook: A very young squad will count on Settle to have a good year on the
mound. Forbes must show leadership, whether at shortstop or on the hill.
ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Keith Reynolds is another top returner for Indian River.
Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
David Bailey of Indian River, who broke his ankle last year, is a
pitcher with something to prove says his coach.
by CNB