THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504050209
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 17 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
NANSEMOND RIVER has virtually everybody back from last season's 13-6, third-place softball team.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, so do Bay Rivers District front-runners York and Poquoson.
York returns standout pitcher Amy Carr to its very experienced senior team.
Poquoson is stacked to maintain its mastery over the Warriors with a team loaded with juniors.
``They are in the same boat we are,'' Warriors coach Jerry Varacallo said. ``But we have never beaten Poquoson.''
Only All-District player Jennifer Ellis was lost to graduation so Varacallo hopes the year of experience this junior-laden team gained last year will help them overcome that hurdle.
``To beat any team in this league, you've got to have top notch pitching,'' Varacallo said.
Chrissy Mims has been the Warriors top hurler this season and has led them to a 3-1 record heading into Tuesday's game with York. The lone loss came against Donna Self-led Group AAA Booker T. Washington.
Sophomores Nicole Angelillo (shortstop) and basketball and volleyball standout Angie Gatling (first base) are already making their mark this year.
Franklin returns six starters from last year's team, which went 12-7 in Group A.
Despite having some experience on his side, coach Dave Lease is a little concerned about staying competitive at the Group AA level, having already taken a 16-0 beating at the hands of the Warriors.
``We only have 11 girls on the team,'' Lease said. ``When you only have 390 students to pick from and only 11 come out for the team, there are going to be some differences from the other schools.''
The Broncos will be relying heavily on defense while first-year pitcher Lea Ann Lamm gets her bearings.
``We needed someone to do it and she volunteered,'' Lease said. ``She's doing a good job. She's not walking a lot of people and she's getting the ball in there.''
Seniors Amy Joyner and Glenda Dunlow are providing the leadership with fellow returners Eve Drewry, Lea Wilmot, Stacy Thomas and Mandy Drake.
``If we pull together we can land somewhere in the middle of the pack,'' Lease said. ``Hopefully in the top four for the playoffs.''
Smithfield returns five starters, including four seniors to help first-year coach Valerie Artis get her feet wet.
Artis, a Smithfield graduate, played basketball and softball at Elizabeth City State and coached the Packers' girls and JV boys basketball teams this past season.
``I just really try to give my teams my time and somebody who will put their all into what they are doing,'' Artis said.
The Packers have taken a back-to-basics approach to the season.
``It really is like a beginning stage for us,'' Artis said.
Sophomore Christian Rhoton returns as Smithfield's No. 1 pitcher.
Lori Jones, Katrina Wilkerson and Brook Beacham are providing the power at the plate. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Coach Jerry Varacallo hopes the year of experience his junior-laden
team gained last year will help them overcome losing All-District
Jennifer Ellis.
Nansemond River pitcher Chrissy Mims hurls the ball toward the plate
during a Bay Rivers game with Bruton. Mims has been the Warriors'
top hurler this season.
by CNB