THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 6, 1995 TAG: 9505060446
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Princess Anne softball coach Dennis Nixon saw the handwriting on the wall. His Beach District-leading Cavaliers were ripe for the picking and Bayside was overdue for a big game.
If only he could predict the stock market so well.
Nixon's forecasts came terribly true, as Bayside handed Princess Anne its first loss of the year, 9-0, Friday.
While fifth-ranked Bayside showed up offensively for the first time in several games, No. 2 Princess Anne might as well have stayed home.
``It's the first time we've hit with runners on base in more than a month,'' Marlins coach Conrad Parker said. ``And we're trying to send a message. . . .we still have hope.''
To make the playoffs, what Bayside will need more than hope is help. Bayside needs a Kellam victory over Princess Anne today and one from Salem on Tuesday to stay in the race.
But the Marlins didn't need any help Friday. With two-time All-Tidewater Player of the Year Amy Hooks collecting a personal best 10 strikeouts, the Cavaliers failed to mount any offense.
Princess Anne (11-1) threatened only once and left catcher Elisa Avery stranded on third.
Meanwhile, Bayside (10-3) was doing just about everything right.
Shortstop Dawn Bell led the offensive charge with a 2-for-4, four RBIs performance. Hooks was also 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Nicole Battersby was 2-for-3.
With her team up 2-0 in the fourth, Bell nailed a bases-loaded shot down the left field line that skirted past Cavaliers left fielder Megan Shanley and drove in three runs. Bell had gotten Bayside on the board in the third with an RBI shot between third and shortstop.
``We all came out ready today,'' Bell said. by CNB