THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603240197
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEVIN DOEPP, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Every pitcher dreams about it. Some come within outs or pitches of one. Others pitch their entire career and never know the feeling.
Fortunately for Milligan College's Kevin Brinn, he knows the feeling of throwing what baseball people call a no-no. As in no-hitter.
And to top it off, he threw the first hitless game in 22 years at the college on his 21st birthday Feb. 25.
Even more, he did it in front of his dad and mom who taped the feat on video.
Brinn, who attended Kempsville High School, said he wasn't even thinking about the no-hitter until the sixth inning of the seven-inning contest.
His team was up 1-0 and holding on to win seemed more important to him.
``I wanted it (the no-hitter), but it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't get it,'' the 6-foot-2 lefthander said. ``The last time I threw one was in Little League.''
The Buffaloes added three runs in their half of the sixth and Brinn, a junior, wound up a 4-0 winner.
Milligan College, an NAIA school in Division II, is a small school in the growing town of Johnson City, Tenn.
Its enrollment is about 800, but Milligan drew Brinn's interest coming out of high school.
``I felt that this was the best place for me,'' Brinn said. ``I wanted to go to a school where I know I would get playing time. Here, I pitch when I want to.''
Buffaloes coach Doug Jennett said he is ecstatic to have Brinn on his team, and is impressed with Brinn's development.
``We call him our rocking chair pitcher,'' Jennett said. ``When he pitches we just sit back and watch him throw. He is a good kid and we're lucky to have him.''
Brinn said he owes much of his success to pitching coach Ed Hodge. Hodge, who pitched in the Minnesota Twins organization, has helped turn Brinn into a smarter, sharper pitcher.
``He taught me to pitch with confidence,'' Brinn said. ``He has taught me when to throw certain pitches and helped me develop my change-up.''
Brinn, who throws in the mid-80s, believes he has a chance to pitch in the big leagues someday.
And being lefthanded, he has a greater chance of being drafted. Scouts covet kids like Brinn because of his size and because he is a lefty.
``It (being drafted) is a childhood dream,'' Brinn said. ``But it wouldn't be the end of the world if it didn't happen.
Currently, Brinn is 4-1 with a 2.32 earned-run average. He has also struck out 20 batters in 31 innings.
ALUMNI REPORT: Ann Marie Bowdoin (Kellam), a 5-11 freshman forward for the Liberty University basketball team, played in 19 games and started one this season. She averaged more than a point and five minutes per game. Tiffany Ratcliff (Portsmouth), a 5-7 sophomore guard for Liberty played in 18 games and also started one. She averaged 1.3 points and 5.2 minutes per game. Carolyn Curry (Virginia Beach) appeared n 25 games and started three for Liberty. She averaged 4.3 points and scored 11 against Messiah in November and 12 against Wofford in December. . . . Longwood's Jason Hatcher (Virginia Beach) is hitting .370 with eight RBIs and two home runs. He has started in nine of the Lancers' 10 games. Eryn Craft (Virginia Beach), a standout for the Lady Lancers' soccer team, is a member of the women's tennis squad this season. . . . Myra Simpson (Kellam) finished first in the triple jump (36-9 1/2) and third in the long jump (16-9 1/2) for Mary Washington at the Washington & Lee Outdoor Invitational on March 16. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kevin Brinn celebrated his 21st birthday by throwing a no-hitter for
Milligan College.
by CNB