THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 9, 1995 TAG: 9504070213
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
LENGTH: Long : 110 lines
EARLY RETURNS in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools confirm suspicions that it will be a three-team race in baseball.
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, generally regarded as the favorite, opened 3-1 under new coach Bill Harris. The Saints have a strong core of seniors and perhaps the best outfield in Hampton Roads.
Catholic High, the defending tournament champion, won six of its first seven games behind an explosive offense that averaged more than 11 runs per game.
Included in that hot start was a 7-4 win over conference newcomer Greenbrier Christian Academy. The Gators have been one of the most successful teams in the state over the past four years, averaging 23 victories per season, and don't figure to lose often.
A look at the conference's South Hampton Roads members:
Nansemond-Suffolk looked like a solid favorite entering the season. The Saints returned six starters, including TCIS player of the year Derek Riebel, and had the added benefit of a week's practice in Florida.
But the offense has started slow and the loss this week of pitcher/infielder Mike Vizcaino with a broken thumb could be devastating. Vizcaino will miss a minimum of three weeks.
That puts extra pressure on pitchers Mark Fowler and Walt Bondurant. The Saints also need a lift from Mike Johnston, a transfer from Nansemond River.
There is still a lot to like about the Saints.
The outfield of Riebel, Fowler and Ryan Blythe is fast and powerful. Riebel, an All-Tidewater pick, batted .393 last season with four home runs and 31 RBIs. He also scored 32 runs.
Also catcher David Putman is a powerfully built freshman who started last year at third base.
Power hasn't been a problem for Catholic. The Crusaders were 6-1 entering Thursday's non-league game against N-SA and averaging more than 11 runs per game.
Catholic has only three seniors, but all play key roles. Andrew Prickett was 3-0 on the mound before injuring his arm last week and is also a feared hitter.
Jimmy Whitehead has moved from the outfield to first base with no loss of production and Mike Holdcroft (SS-3B-P) also is hitting well.
Also sophomore catcher Eric Washburn is a budding star.
The Crusaders' weakness is pitching. Even with Prickett, their No. 1 starter, they are allowing eight runs per game.
A freshman, Jeff Alberts, is the No. 2 starter.
If one team figures to have good pitching, it's Greenbrier Christian. That because the Gators' are coached by former major leaguer Gary Lavelle.
Sophomore Nick Huneycutt (2-0, one earned run in 15 innings) and junior lefty Nick James (3-1) are off to strong starts and Eddie Gosman could be the ace once his tender arm heals.
Gosman, who catches when not pitching, is one of four returning starters along with first baseman Brian Turner and outfielders Chad Dunlow and Johnny Hudgins.
All four are off to good starts at the plate.
If the Gators have a weakness it's infield defense. They committed six errors in a loss to Catholic.
Norfolk Christian has taken its lumps early in the season, but figures to be competitive when senior Jeremy Elms is on the mound. Elms, who doubles as a shortstop, batted over .400 last year and was the second-leading vote-getter on the all-conference team.
Senior Matt Taylor (SS-P-3B) and catcher John Mullen are other potent bats.
``If Taylor and a couple of other starting pitchers develop we can contend for the top four,'' coach Dave Walker said.
Norfolk Academy returns 11 players, including five seniors. Unfortunately for coach Jon Waite one of his seniors, lefthanded pitcher Ben Hamlet, is two days too old to play in TCIS games.
Hamlett was the Bulldogs' MVP last season and has signed with Old Dominion.
Senior Eric Ostroff and sophomore Tommy Van Hoose will share the pitching load. But Ostroff is also the team's best infielder, which presents defensive problems when he's on the mound.
The Bulldogs' also miss Hamlet's bat. He hit cleanup last year and led the Bulldogs in all power categories. Junior catcher Teddy Rice (.475 last season) is an excellent table setter and first baseman Chris Ripley is off to good start this season.
Norfolk Collegiate has one of the last experienced teams with no seniors and two juniors.
Sophomore pitcher/third baseman Nick Jacovides is the most accomplished player after batting .367 last season. The doubleplay combination of shortstop Ryan Welch (.294) and second baseman Jason Cutrell (.275) also should be productive.
The Oaks got an early lift from two eight-graders. Billy Georgiou and Jarrod Eason combined on a no-hitter against Peninsula Catholic.
Cape Henry's success will depend on three young pitchers, junior Brian Kelley, sophomore Andy Tilhou and freshman Ski Babinski. Tilhou pitched a four-hitter and struck out 11 April 4 against Norfolk Academy, but took the loss when the Dolphins' committed nine errors.
The Dolphins must play better defense just to stay in games, because they don't figure to score many runs. Third baseman Brian Shea was hitting .500 through five games, but coach Joe Harvich said the Dolphins will have to manufacture their offense. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo
Nansemond-Suffolk Academy outfielder Derek Riebel slides into base
during a recent game.
Walt Bondurant
N-SA pitcher
Mike Vizcaino
N-SA pitcher/infielder
by CNB