THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 5, 1995 TAG: 9504040140
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 132 lines
WITH NEARLY everyone returning from a softball team that reached last year's Eastern Region semifinals, Bayside figures once again to be plenty good.
But will it be good enough?
That's the big question as the Beach District cranks up another round of action in what should again turn out to be the region's most competitive league.
Salem, which won the district title in a special playoff game against Bayside a year ago after the two teams finished in a tie in the regular season, appeared to have dropped a notch with the graduation of some quality seniors. But the Sun Devils showed they'll still have a lot to say about who wins the title in their season opener by shocking the Marlins, 8-7.
Then there's Princess Anne, which comes in off a successful fall league campaign and whose players believe the Beach is definitely more than merely a two-team race.
Tallwood also has the talent to seriously contend, while Cox, Kempsville and Green Run should also challenge.
A capsule look at the Beach District:
BAYSIDE
Key players: Amy Hooks, pitcher/outfielder; Dawn Bell, shortstop; Dee Shults, third base; Amber Stout, right field; Jen Walter, utility; Nicole Battersby, outfield; Laura Gregory, outfield; Heidi Hill, pitcher.
Outlook: The Marlins return nearly everyone from a year ago, including all-state selections Hooks (18-4 record, 0.69 ERA) and Bell (.356, 18 RBI). Hill (10-0 on the junior varsity and threw a no-hitter against Kellam in her first varsity start) adds quality pitching depth. Bayside should also be hungry after having been eliminated in the regional semifinals the past two years. The Marlins deserve to be the early favorite, but it remains to be seen whether Salem's victory Friday was a Bayside wake-up call or a sign of how difficult the Marlins' road to a district title will actually be.
SALEM
Key players: Brownyn Blair, pitcher; Theresa Holliday, shortstop; Misty Colebank, outfield; Kelley King, first base; Michelle Pritchard, outfield; Jennifer Goudey, catcher.
Outlook: The Sun Devils graduated five all-district players from a year ago and don't look too imposing on paper. But other coaches say Larry Bowman teams make few mistakes and are always among the most fundamentally sound teams around. Bowman considers first-team all-region pick Blair (17-4, 1.90 ERA), one of the top pitchers in the state. The other half of Salem's battery, Goudey, is a transfer from Norfolk Collegiate.
PRINCESS ANNE
Key players: Elisa Avery, catcher; Lisa Slingerland, first base; Melissa Hirsch, pitcher; Sara Smith, pitcher; Stacy Burney, centerfield; Sara Ravain, second base.
Outlook: A definite contender. Team features loads of experience and depth. The Cavaliers also picked up a jolt of confidence by nipping 1994 state qualifier Great Bridge in the final of a tough fall league tournament. Hirsch, a highly touted freshman, and sophomore Smith give Princess Anne two quality pitchers. The team features no seniors, so next season should be even better. But the Cavaliers aren't playing for the future. They think they have enough to win now.
TALLWOOD
Key players: Marvita Bradley; first base; Casey Bryant, utility; Audra Chambers, centerfield; Hollie Everett, right field; Heather Kinsler, shortstop; Kelly Lieupo, pitcher; Heather McFarland, center field; Collen Rose, utility; Monica Yanku, catcher.
Outlook: With a host of returners led by 1994 team MVP Chambers and quality pitcher Lieupo, the Lions head into the season along with Princess Anne as the chief contenders to Salem and Bayside. Coach Jack Byers says the key will be how well the Lions adjust to some new strategies he will implement.
KEMPSVILLE
Key players: Tammy Pezzella, shortstop; Tonya Morgan, catcher; Lisa Hackes, third base; Gwen Kalina, pitcher; Kelly Walsh, first base; Kim McIntyre, DH; Amanda Geckles, left field; Christi Hill, right field.
Outlook: Rival coaches feel the Chiefs have the best chance among last season's also-rans to develop into a contender. Kempsville is young, but has talent and athleticism. Coach Dean Spruill said the team really pulled together in pre-season workouts.
GREEN RUN
Key players: Javonne Kelley, catcher/outfielder; Michelle Hampton, infield; Melissa Cales, infield; Katherine Klug, pitcher.
Outlook: The Stallions will feel the loss of all-district selection Chassity Chronick, a leader on the mound and at the plate a year ago. But the pitching of Klug, the power of Hampton and the presence of several other talented players should ensure at least a first-division finish.
COX
Key players: Terri Pond, second base; Erin Architzel, outfield; Courtney O'Konek, pitcher/first base; Kelly Cahill, first base/catcher; Devon Chapman, catcher/pitcher; Katherine Dunford, shortstop/outfield; Lydia Cuthrell, outfield.
Outlook: The youthful Falcons could start six sophomores, although four are returners. Lack of speed is a problem, so coach Art Edwards wants his players to become more aggressive, both at the plate and in the field. O'Konek, Cahill and Pond have some power, and O'Konek and Chapman could develop into pitching mainstays.
KELLAM
Key players: Shanon Banks, catcher; Reina Cruz, outfielder; Catherine Howard, pitcher; Elizabeth Howard, infielder/outfielder; Jean Payton, infielder/catcher; Ashleigh Brooks, infielder; Carin Fischer, infielder.
Outlook: The Knights have been competitive so far, but must learn to close games stronger. Late-inning rallies by Kempsville and Green Run have resulted in two 6-4 losses by Kellam so far.
FIRST COLONIAL
Key players: Katie Lyon, second base; Kathleen Davey, shortstop; Kristie Bierman, third base; Ashley Land, first base; Heather Manley, outfield; Alija Pittinger, outfield/pitcher; Jodie Bierman, pitcher/infield; Emily Funk, infield.
Outlook: The Patriots are extremely young in key positions. Coach Sam Scarborough says he's building from the ground up, but expects to have his team ready to do make some noise toward the end of the season.
OCEAN LAKES
Key players: Missy Newby, pitcher; Stacy Buko, shortstop; Stacy Hux, outfielder; Alyssa Schropp, catcher; Shawna Lunsford, outfielder; Mimi Smith, centerfield; Jennifer Inman, second base/outfield; Crystal Osterhout, first base; Sheri Johnson, first base/outfield.
Outlook: A league as strong as the Beach District figured to make things tough for the first-year Dolphins, and their early lopsided losses bears that out. The key for Ocean Lakes players is to not get discouraged, concentrate on improving and get in position to perhaps sneak up on a team or two toward the end of the season. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by CHARLIE MEADS
Among the top returning players for defending Beach District
champion Bayside are all-state shortstop Dawn Bell, left, and
player-of-the-year Amy Hooks, a pitcher/outfielder, above. Bell
batted .356 with 18 RBI. Hooks was 18-4 with a 0.69 ERA.
by CNB