THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 2, 1995 TAG: 9503300197
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 23 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER, CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: ELIZABETH CITY LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
CHUCK CULLENS, Elizabeth City State University's head baseball coach, felt at the beginning of the 1995 season that the Vikings had a chance to do well in the CIAA. After his team opened the season at 0-8, things didn't look so rosy.
``We just scratched our heads because we knew we had talent,'' Cullens said. ``You begin to question your ability to coach.''
Since the 0-8 start, the Vikings have made a complete turnaround and at one point last week had won eight of nine games to up their record to 8-9 and 5-0 in the conference. The difference has been the return of injured players and pitching, pitching, and more pitching.
Early in the season, ECSU pitching was bombed against some top-notch teams. But during the streak, Viking hurlers have had three brilliant performances.
The latest was a 3-0 shutout by Avery Hoggard over St. Paul's College this past Tuesday. Forrest Liverman turned in a 16-0 shutout win over Westwood College. Freshman hurler John Geddy, a graduate of Northeastern High School, knocked off Longwood College 5-3, allowing just three hits.
``We're deeper in pitching than we've ever been, and we're young,'' Cullens said. ``We're near the top in pitching in the conference. We've never been able to say that.''
Geddy's performance was particularly gutsy. He pitched the second game of a doubleheader after watching Longwood bang out 20 hits to down the Vikings 19-5 in the first game.
Three other hurlers round out the ECSU starting staff. Rodney Madison (2-1), Jay Connor (1-3) and Nick Walke (1-3), a graduate of Manteo High School, took their licks early against quality non-conference teams like Newport News Apprentice, Chowan College, Kutztown University and Bloomsburg University.
The Vikings also saw key injuries to shortstop Terry Williams, first baseman Allen Mason, and outfielder Elton Mardre.
Williams, who missed seven of the first eight games, was hitting .588 with four homers. Mardre was hovering around the .400 mark with three triples. Also smacking the ball well was junior catcher Brent Underwood, a Manteo High School graduate, who was hitting .385.
Cullens said he may not have the best talent on the field that he's ever had, but he likes the positive attitude.
``These kids are the best group we've ever coached attitude-wise,'' he said. ``They're hustlers; they listen; and they're respectful.'' ILLUSTRATION: Drawing of Viking logo
by CNB