THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, June 22, 1995 TAG: 9506210189
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMI FRANKENBERRY, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
LOSING A STATE championship is devastating for any team. Players then have a year to think about what went wrong, knowing they may not get another chance next season.
But after an 8-2 loss to Richlands in the Group AA state softball championship last Tuesday, Nansemond River players realized they had a lot to be happy about.
Next year, all but one player, Mary Jo Williams, will return to a solid team that finished 18-7.
Maybe that's why, beneath a few tears, the Warriors were secretly smiling after the loss.
``They're going to be awesome next year,'' Williams said. ``(Making the state championship) was a great way to end my senior year, but they're going to be even better next year.''
Warrior coach Jerry Varacallo said that a loss in the state final is the first step toward improving next year.
``We gained a lot of valuable experience playing under this kind of pressure,'' Varacallo said. ``I hope we can transfer this into our tough district play next year and come back.
``We'll definitely have to learn not to get intimidated by a big crowd. That really hurt us.''
After traveling seven hours, the Warriors seemed shaken from the start while playing in front of more than 500 fans in Richlands.
Nansemond River's first three batters were retired quickly, two on strikeouts. The Warriors then committed three errors in the first inning which led to two runs for the Tornadoes.
``That first inning was the worst,'' second baseman Kelly McCrickard said. ``The crowd and those errors really shook us up and we never came back.''
``We know we beat ourselves,'' Varacallo said. ``That's what was upsetting about it.''
The Warriors also learned that playing on the road is no different than playing at home.
``We became road warriors in the playoffs,'' said Varacallo, whose team played seven straight road games in postseason. ``We were undefeated at home and that proved to us that we can play away as good as we play at home.''
The Warriors also had to prove to themselves that they could win a postseason game. Before this year, Nansemond River had not won a playoff game in the school's five-year existence.
``(Winning our first playoff game) was very important,'' said third baseman Heather Behrends. ``It definitely got our self-esteem up.''
Beating Bay Rivers District foes Poquoson and York was also important. The Warriors had not beaten Poquoson since Nansemond River opened, but won two out of three from the Islanders, including a 4-2 win in the opening round of the district tournament.
``That was a big challenge for us,'' McCrickard said. ``It felt really good to be the first Nansemond River softball team to beat Poquoson.''
The Falcons had stopped Nansemond River three straight times this season until a three-run rally in the seventh inning gave the Warriors a 6-4 win the state semifinals.
``Finally beating them triggered our confidence and got our adrenaline flowing,'' Varacallo said. ``It was a big positive and, hopefully, we can carry things like that into next year.''
Becoming a close-knit bunch and maturing during the season is something else the Warriors know is vital for next year.
``We had a lot of problems working together early in the season and we lacked maturity,'' Varacallo said. ``Near the end of the season we really came together and started playing like a team and won games when it counted. That's what I'm most proud of.''
``We learned to play a lot better as a team as the season went on,'' McCrickard said. ``That's why we know we should be even better next year.''
Nansemond River knows that it won't be easy to get back to the state championship.
``We know we can't just go out there and play softball,'' Varacallo said. ``The girls will have to go out during the offseason and work on things on their own to get better.''
Added Behrends: ``We learned from (Richlands) that errors and hitting make the ballgame. Those are the things we'll have to work on for next year.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Warriors' pitcher Chrissy Mims hurls the ball toward the plate in a
game against Bruton.
by CNB