THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 21, 1996 TAG: 9603200154
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
SOLID DEFENSE up the middle and pitching depth make Maury a slight favorite in the Eastern District baseball race.
The Commodores return seven starters, including seniors Taylor Blair, Aaron Ambrose and Rick Hart in the infield. Hart is also the No. 1 pitcher.
``With no clear, dominant pitcher we will have to rely on a number of guys to get the job done in order to challenge for the district title,'' Maury coach Gary Masterson said.
Defending champion Lake Taylor returns only four starters and has no seniors. But the Titans do have a pair of all-district players and a proven coach in Towny Townsend.
Elsewhere in South Hampton Roads:
Beach District: First Colonial and Cox have 20-win material. The key will be pitching. First Colonial's Ed Manley and Steve Johnson have 24 career victories between them. Cox counters with Jason Dubois, who tossed three no-hitters last season.
Southeastern District: Churchland returns three all-district players including a dominant pitcher in Robert Jones. The Truckers have the power to score lots of runs and the speed to manufacture them when needed. Great Bridge, led by All-Tidewater infielder Mike Cuddyer, will challenge the Truckers.
This is a team-by-team look at the Eastern District.
GRANBY
Coach: Vince Zebro.
1995 record: 8-13.
Key performers: Ryan McFadden (Sr., IF-P-C, .310 BA); Jason (So., P-SS).
Outlook: The Comets' strengths are pitching depth and infield defense. They will try to compensate for a lack of power by being aggressive at the plate and on the basepaths.
LAKE TAYLOR
Coach: Towny Townsend.
1995 record: 15-5.
Key performers: Brian Fair (Jr., P-SS-OF); Robbie Hale (Jr., P-OF); Bobby Cleek (Jr., C); Vashaun Brown (Jr., IF-OF).
Outlook: The Titans have no seniors, but Fair and Hale are first-team all-district picks and Brown was a second-team pick. Best of all Fair and Hale are pitchers who can play anywhere on the field. The offense is suspect, but Townsend is a master at producing runs.
MAURY
Coach: Gary Masterson.
1995 record: 15-7.
Key performers: Aaron Ambrose (Sr., SS, .330 BA); Taylor Blair (Sr., 3B-P); Mike Cave (Jr., CF); Rick Hart (Sr., 2B-P); Jeff Firks (Jr., 1B); Steve Brunner (Sr., DH).
Outlook: Ambrose, a three-year starter, is a clutch hitter and the team's top defensive player. Cave is a tablesetter and will play centerfield and Firks is a solid RBI-man. But there is no dominant starting pitcher, and that could be trouble if the Commodores have to scratch for runs.
NORVIEW
Coach: Jim Newton.
1995 record: 6-9-1.
Key performers: Jon Burton (So., P-2B, 2-2); Bobby Williams (Jr., P-3B, 2-2); Robert Bray (Jr., 1B, 2 HR); Charles Duke (Jr., C-P, .286 BA).
Outlook: Newton's building program is progressing nicely with 13 returning players and only one key senior. Hopes of a winning season are pinned on pitching and defense.
BOOKER T. WASHINGTON Coach: Steve Gray.
1995 record: 6-11.
Key performers: John Subasavage (Sr., P-3B); Marco Braham (Sr., SS, .400 BA); Dominic Perry (So., P-C); Danny Bell (So., 3B-C); Danny Everton (So., 1B); Robbie Subasavage (So., P-2B).
Outlook: The Bookers were the most improved team in the area last year and with eight returning starters, Gray has the makings of a contender. Subasavage and Perry were first-team all-district picks. ILLUSTRATION: File photo by L. TODD SPENCER
Infielder/pitcher/catcher Ryan McFadden returns for his senior
season at Granby after batting .310 as a junior.
by CNB