THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 7, 1995 TAG: 9508070146
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
All signs seem to indicate that Post 280 Chesapeake's third trip to the American Legion State tournament in Lynchburg will be charmed after its past two hexed appearances.
In 1993 - Post 280's inaugural season - Chesapeake was ejected after winning its first game when pitcher Jimmy Anderson was ruled ineligible.
Last year, Post 280 came up a run short in the championship game with a 2-1 loss to Bedford, who went on to win the Mid-Atlantic region title.
But with an early non-district 3-0 win over the defending champions, a new coach and a newer team - only Mike Hoskins, Derek Riebel, Ed Gosman and Daryn Bettis return from the charter team - has its sights set on a state crown.
``We have the team to do it,'' said Post 280 coach John Knight, who, after two years as an assistant, replaced Greenbrier Christian coach Gary Lavelle. ``It's up to the kids. If they want to win it, they can. This team has just as much potential as the last two teams.''
According to Knight, defense will determine his team's success, as it has all season. Post 280 (20-6) got off to a rocky 4-5 start, but came together for a 14-game winning streak before falling, 15-8, to Post 110 Virginia Beach Wednesday in the Second District Tournament.
Hoskins, who's batting a team leading .459, said that the loss served as a needed wake up call.
``It's good that it happened right before the state tournament because we saw that we could be beat,'' Hoskins said. ``But if we play the way we can, we can't. Basically, we have to stay together and make the routine plays.''
The only other obstacle Post 280 might have to overcome is playing without starting shortstop and clean-up batter Mike Cuddyer. Cuddyer, who's hit over report when football practice begins this week.
``We're trying to talk him into finishing out the week with us,'' Knight said. ``He's a mainstay at the position.''
The winner of the state tournament advances to the Mid-Atlantic region tournament Aug. 14-18 in Danville, Va. by CNB