THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220214
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 27 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 150 lines
ANY PREVIEW of Beach District baseball has to start with First Colonial. The Patriots have qualified for post-season play nine straight years and reached the state semifinals the past four years.
This season doesn't figure to be much different. The Patriots will play solid defense behind a deep and experienced pitching staff. If the hitting comes through they could be back in the state tournament.
Cox will be the major roadblock in First Colonial's pursuit of the title. The Falcons have almost everybody back from a 13-9 team, including All-Tidewater pitcher Jason Dubois, and added another pitcher in transfer Eric John from Green Run.
``Cox is a serious contender,'' First Colonial coach Norbie Wilson said. ``I think we're a good team and Ocean Lakes is a good team. All three should be rated at the top.''
Green Run, which won the state Group AAA title last year, graduated virtually its entire lineup.
Elsewhere in South Hampton Roads:
Southeastern District: Churchland returns three all-district players including a dominant pitcher in Robert Jones. The Truckers also should score lots of runs with an enticing blend of power and speed. Great Bridge, led by All-Tidewater infielder Mike Cuddyer, will challenge the Truckers.
Eastern District: Booker T. Washington has the most returning starters. Maury has the best player in shortstop Aaron Ambrose. Lake Taylor has two returning all-district players, but no seniors. Take your pick.
TCIS: Tournament champion and state Division I titlist Greenbrier Christian has three pitchers back who accounted for 17 wins last year, led by Division I prospect Nick James. Nansemond-Suffolk also has a frontline pitcher in Mike Johnston and an all-conference catcher in Dave Putnam. Catholic will be the best of the rest.
A team-by-team look at the Beach District:
BAYSIDE
Coach: Terry Gowin
1995 record: 8-12
Key performers: Matt Clark (Sr., C, .411 BA, 23 RBI); P.J. Fleenor (Sr., IF-P); Chris Lemley (Sr., IF-P, 1-0); Andy Callow (Sr., IF-OF); Ernie James (Sr., IF-P, 5-4).
Outlook: Three experienced pitchers led by James gives the Marlins a big edge in that department over most teams. Clark was a second-team all-district pick at catcher and appears poised for a big year. If the Marlins can find some bats to protect Clark and play good defense they'll contend for a tournament spot.
COX
Coach: John Ingram
1995 record: 13-9
Key performers: Jason Dubois (Jr., P-OF, 4-5, .476 BA); Ted Tignor (Sr., 2B-P, .319); Tim Lavigne (Sr., SS-P, .437 BA); Aaron Strausbaugh (Sr., 3B, Frank McDonnell (Sr., OF-DH, .259).
Outlook: Eight starters return and check out those batting averages. Cox will score runs and if someone steps up to complement Dubois the Falcons could win it all. Strausbaugh was a first-team all-district pick, Tignor made second-team and Lavigne received honorable mention. Dubois pitched three no-hitters last spring.
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Norbie Wilson
1995 record: 24-4
Key performers: Nathan Frost (Sr., 2B, .347 BA); Brad Tetlow (Sr., OF, P); Steve Tyler (Jr., SS, .295).
Outlook: The pitching staff is deep as usual headed by Manley and Johnson, who are a combined 24-6 in their careers. Tyler is a top-notch middle infielder who can handle the bat. There is not a lot of power, but why nit pick? Once again the Patriots will contend for No. 1.
GREEN RUN
Coach: Jeff Ballance
1995 record: 27-2
Key performers: Jason Healy (Sr., 3B, .340 BA, 6 HR, 25 RBI); Will Somerindyke (Sr., P-OF, .400 BA); David Hart (Jr., P-IF, 1-0, .333 BA); Brian Buttolph (Jr., OF, .300 BA); Brian Harvey (Jr., IF-P, .290 BA).
Outlook: Ballance stepped into a great situation last year and did everything right as the Stallions won the state title. He'll need patience this season with only one returning starter in Healy.
KELLAM
Coach: Jim Moxey
1995 record: 13-8
Key performers: Mike Godwin (Sr., IF, .415 BA, 29 Runs); Chad Clukey (Sr., P-OF); Lance Poulter (Sr., IF, .311 BA); Tim Walston (Sr., P-OF-IF, .340 BA, 7 HR, 22 RBI).
Outlook: Offense won't be much of a problem with Walston, a first-team All-Tidewater pick, and Godwin. Walston will also share the pitching load with Clukey and a host of newcomers. How quickly those newcomers develop will determine how high the Knights finish.
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: Todd Perdue
1995 record: 6-14
Key performers: Casey Costello (Sr., OF-P, .420 BA); Matt Brown (Sr., P-OF, (Sr., CF, .300 BA); Jon McKinney (Sr., C).
Outlook: An already potent offense should be even better with the return of McKinney, who was injured last year. Experience is also an asset with eight key seniors. There is no staff ace, however, and without one the Chiefs will continue to struggle.
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Gary Spedden
1995 record: 7-13
Key performers: Rob Robinson (Sr., OF, .354 BA); James Walsh (Sr., IF-P, 3-4, .300 BA); John Deere (Sr., OF-P, .314 BA); Chad Cloutier (Jr., C, .308); John Simon (Jr., 3B-P-OF, .267 BA).
Outlook: Nine players return who started at least one game last season. Robinson was a second-team all-district pick and Cloutier received honorable mention. If Spedden develops some pitching to go with Walsh the Dolphins should make the tournament.
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Paul Shows
1995 record: 4-14
Key performers: Steve Pritchard (Sr., P); Jerry Cavallo (Jr., P); Nate Barba (Sr., OF, .340 BA).
Outlook: Pitching should be a strength with the righthanded Pritchard and lefthanded Cavallo anchoring the staff. Pritchard was the winning pitcher in three of the team's four victories last year. Barba was a second-team all-district pick. The rest of the squad will be built around newcomers up from a 7-3 JV team.
SALEM
Coach: Pete Zell
1995 record: 5-15
Key performers: Justin Cole (Jr., 2B); John Black (Sr., 3B-SS); Eddie Jones (Jr., 1B-DH); Andy Hubba (Sr., P-1B-DH); Bryan Evans (Sr./, P-OF).
Outlook: Zell takes over for Randy Sterling and faces a major rebuilding job with only two returning starters. Five sophomores could start at times, however, any success Salem has will emanate from senior pitchers Hubba and Evans.
TALLWOOD
Coach: Ray Barlow
1995 record: 11-9
Key performers: Steve Cooley (Sr., P-3B-1B); Justin Ruffin (So., OF-1B); Jaye Doll (Jr., P-IF); Brandon Nelson (Sr., P-1B).
Outlook: The Lions boast experience and versatility with five returning starters who played more than one position. Nelson moves from the bullpen to the rotation and must be successful for the Lions to have a big year. Cooley is returning from a broken ankle and should play a prominent role as a pitcher and power hitter. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo
Jason Dubois, a returning All-Tidewater pitcher for Cox, through
three no-hitters last spring as a sophomore but was just 4-5
overall. He also batted .476 and played outfield.
by CNB