THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 23, 1995 TAG: 9504200213
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: BARCO LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
It's just about unanimous within the high school baseball coaching fraternity in the Albemarle area that Currituck County's Cory Scott is the best pitcher in the area. From Edenton and Elizabeth City to Hertford and Camden, coaches agree that Scott is the man they hate most to see on the mound.
But Scott means much more to his team than great pitching. He is also the field general and cheerleader. The Knights jumped out to a 13-0 start this past week as Scott upped his record to 7-0. After Scott pitched a 1-0 shutout over Perquimans, one Perquimans coach joked after the game despite the loss, ``I'm feeling great because we'll never have to face him again!''
A player with Scott's ability could sit back and enjoy his success in the Albemarle area and Northeastern Conference. On his best days, he could rear back and fire fastballs and be untouchable. His curveball is nearly unhittable. When he drops down to throw sidearm on occassion, right-handed hitters cower in fear. But, according to Billy Stallings, Currituck head coach, Scott is a worker. ``He does a lot of little things we ask him to do,'' Stallings said.
Scott has worked on a pickoff move, has practiced hitting to the opposite field, and has even agreed to shed some weight off his meaty frame.
``I've been working on stamina; I've been running a lot,'' he said. ``The coaches told me I need to drop a few pounds.''
Other little things include cheering from the on-deck circle and leading by example.
``I feel like I need to be a leader and show a good example,'' Scott said. ``Under those pressure situations it's like a job up there. You have to think all the time. It's really exciting. It's a lot of pressure.''
Scott is also quick to give credit for his success to others.
``I owe a lot of it to coach Stallings,'' Scott said. ``He helps me up there. He tells me to take a deep breath and keep my eyes on the glove. I look over at him and I know he has confidence in me.
``I owe it all to this team,'' Scott added. ``They are really stepping it up for me.''
All of this hard work is in preparation for the next level. Scott has been courted by East Carolina, Barton College, Pitt Community College, Methodist College, Elon College, UNC-Asheville, and UNC-Greensboro.
Before college, however, Scott and the Knights have something to prove in the state playoffs. Last year's first-round loss, in which Scott pitched poorly, was not the way Currituck should have ended the season.
``That was really a heartbreaker. All year we couldn't wait for the playoffs,'' Scott said. ``This year, I'll tell them it's just a game. But once we get between those white lines we're bulldogs. It changes our attitude from boys to men. It's a tradition here.'' by CNB