THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080385
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Not since Lynnhaven reached the Pony World Series in 1981 has a Palomino team from South Hampton Roads ventured back.
But that changes today when Little Creek American takes the field at 4 p.m. in Greensboro against the Martinsville, Va., team.
After two years of missing the World Series by a margin of a run in the East Zone tournament, Little Creek finally got its chance when the league was rezoned to eliminate the qualifier.
``I'm excited for them just getting there,'' Little Creek coach Steve Siderias said. ``It's a good opportunity to show them that there's more out there than what's in Virginia Beach.
``I hope we'll perform at our peak level. If we win, we win. If we don't, we don't. Just playing at this level is motivation enough.''
Granby graduate Frank Thompson, who's developed into one of Little Creek's most dangerous hitters over the last three seasons, said that this year's Little Creek squad, which is batting .427, could be the best he's played on.
``This team stacks up to any in the past,'' he said. ``The hitting is usually there most of the time. We're just going to have to play good defense. We have a lot better pitching this year, too.''
In addition to an already solid staff of Mike Alexander and Jason Anderson, Siderias picked up lefthanded First Colonial graduate and Radford signee Jamie Booth along with former Indian River hurler David Bailey, who's signed with Old Dominion.
``I know the teams from all over are going to be good,'' said Booth, who was on a World Series runner-up Pony team with Little Creek teammate Glenn Davis. ``But I think we're going to go down there and have some good games.'' by CNB