THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, May 11, 1995 TAG: 9505100160
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines
FOR NANSEMOND RIVER pitcher Grayson Craun, success means giving the hitters what they want, just not where they want it.
The junior left-hander is a three-pitch pitcher (fastball, curve and change) but throws almost exclusively fastballs in the low to mid 80 mph range - hardly overpowering stuff. But instead of teeing off, opposing hitters find themselves getting tied up. Craun seems to be able to put his little fastball wherever he wants.
``It's amazing the way he can spot his pitches,'' Nansemond River coach Phil Braswell said.
Craun's location - along with the fact that there are an unusually high number of young hitters in the Bay Rivers this year - has helped him become the top pitcher in the Bay Rivers District. He took a 6-0 record into Tuesday's game against Southampton, along with a 1.18 ERA, 50 strikeouts and 18 walks in 35-plus innings. The Warriors (14-3, 9-1 in the district through Monday) enjoy a two-game lead in the race for the district title.
Craun's outings include several gems: a 13-strikeout performance against York, an 11-K, six-inning job against then-unbeaten Southampton and a complete-game 1-0 masterpiece against the Falcons on May 3.
Craun has also done the job at the plate, hitting .282 through Monday (four points higher than brother Whitney) with 11 RBI. His solo home run in the fourth inning last week against Lakeland broke a 1-1 tie and helped Nansemond River post a 5-1 victory.
But it has been Craun's emergence on the mound that has answered one of the key questions concerning the Warriors heading into the season - who would replace Brett Craun as the team's ace? Grayson's brother, the first of the three Craun boys to really blossom at the high school level, led the Warriors last year and is now starring for the College of William & Mary.
``I really wasn't sure who would step up,'' Braswell said.
Grayson Craun wasn't sure, either.
``I had no idea I would have this type of year,'' he said.
The 6-0, 165-pound Craun did have a history of success in limited duty with the Warriors coming in, however. As a freshman, he was called up from the junior varsity toward the end of the season and went 8 for 8 at the plate. Last year, he was given a couple of shots on the mound and turned in victories over Lakeland and Poquoson.
But Craun didn't start thinking he might be able to get on some sort of a roll until the season opener, when he finally realized how much trouble he was causing for opposing hitters.
``I noticed that if I could spot my fastball, not too many hitters could get ahold of it,'' he said.
Still, Craun has learned that relying heavily on an average fastball can be a dangerous game. In Nansemond River's first meeting with Southampton, Craun got a little too much of the plate with his heater against Indians' slugger John Rawls and Rawls lined a shot some 360 feet over the fence in left-center. It was one of two homers Craun surrendered in that game.
They were the only mistakes Craun made in that game, but the Indians came away with the idea that they wouldn't mind facing this pitcher again.
``We were just overanxious,'' Southampton first baseman John Rawls said. ``He's a pretty good pitcher, but I think we should have done a lot better against him.''
Gradually, Craun is starting to realize it's tough to get good hitters out with the same stuff time after time. He fanned 13 York batters the first time; six in the rematch.
``They knew I was coming with the fastball,'' he said. ``Batters start getting smarter.''
Braswell, who lets Craun and catcher Lee Parks call their own game and admits to sometimes cringing over Craun's selection, looks forward to the day when Craun starts mixing up his pitches.
``When he starts getting his curve and changeup over for strikes, he's going to be awesome,'' the coach said.
Braswell may not have to wait much longer to see it happen. Craun, who has been working on his other pitches on off-days, said his reliance on his fastball has been more a case of not wanting to spoil a good thing than lacking confidence in the rest of his repertoire.
``I've been kind of afraid to change,'' he said. ``You know, if it's not broke. . . . .''
But if Nansemond River continues on as expected to the Region I tournament, Craun figures he'll have to do a little more to get by.
``Come regional tournament time, I expect the batters to be a little more experienced,'' he said ``That's when I'll really have to put my curve and changeup to the test.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Nansemond River ace Grayson Craun is the top pitcher in the Bay
Rivers District, and his batting average is .282. ``I had no idea I
would have this type of year,'' he says.
Craun relies heavily on his fastball. ``It's amazing the way he can
spot his pitches,'' Coach Phil Braswell says.
by CNB