THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 20, 1995 TAG: 9504180100
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines
THE LAKE TAYLOR High School baseball team lost a lot to graduation from a team that took a late-season nose dive and failed to make postseason play last year.
So coach Towny Townsend had no idea what to expect from a crew that either sat the bench or wasn't playing varsity baseball last season.
Now he's expecting a lot.
The Titans, prior to this week's opening of Eastern District play, had gone 6-2 against top-flight competition in non-district play, with two big-hearted seniors and four surprisingly talented sophomores leading them.
Although they might look like stand-ins for the movie ``The Sandlot'' - shortstop Dave Lambert stands just 5 feet 4 inches while catcher Bobby Cleek weighs 130 pounds - the Titans have turned themselves into favorites in the Eastern District race.
``We had older kids who hadn't played and younger kids who hadn't played,'' Townsend said. ``But they've all showed a lot of character and have gone beyond my expectations.''
Lambert and pitcher J.T. Hazelette are the seniors who have played major parts, with Hazelette batting .461 through the Titans first eight games. Hazelette was named most valuable player of last week's Pizza Hut Invitational, which the Titans won.
The sophomores - Cleek, second baseman Vashan Brown, third baseman/centerfielder Brian Fair and centerfielder/pitcher Robbie Hale - have filled the gaps.
Hale has been particularly effective as a pitcher with a 3-0 mark and a 2.86 earned run average.
Maury and Granby are expected to contend as well.
The Commodores got off to a quick start, winning their first five games, and coach Gary Masterson hopes the pitching rotation of Todd Davidson, Rick Hart, Taylor Blair and Aaron Ambrose will carry the squad.
As with the Titans, the Commodores are getting plenty of playing time from four sophomores - catcher Fred Bertch, first baseman Jeff Firks, rightfielder Joey Libbey and centerfielder Mike Cave.
``We have a lot of returners,'' said Masterson, who coached at Norview last season. ``But most of them sat and watched last season.''
Granby, meanwhile, will be counting on the big bat of senior Frank Thompson while freshman Heath Cataulin is being given a shot to shore up the infield at shortstop. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Granby is counting on Frank Thompson for quality innings on the
mound as well being an impact player at bat.
by CNB