THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9605010630
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 48 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 94 lines
COX'S TIM LAVIGNE is stretching the boundaries of hitting excellence.
At a level where a .300 average is considered good and .400 is outstanding, Lavigne was batting a torrid .537 with six home runs and 22 RBIs through the Falcons' first 11 games this spring.
``It's been a great season so far, but not just for me,'' Lavigne said. ``When everyone is playing well it makes you better. Everyone's attitude is positive because we know we're going to win.''
Cox (10-1, 7-1) has been ranked first or second in South Hampton Roads all season and is averaging 12 runs per game.
Lavigne was born in Hawaii and has lived the nomadic life of a Navy kid ever since. He moved to Virginia Beach from Orange Park, Fla., where he was the starting third baseman on his high school team as a sophomore.
``I didn't want to move,'' he said, ``but I wanted to play shortstop.''
Half his wishes were granted. Lavigne became the Falcons' starting shortstop last season and batted .438.
Lavigne's strong arm and quick bat quickly drew recruiting interest and he signed a partial baseball scholarship last fall with Virginia.
``I'll get a great education and it's a decent baseball program,'' he said. ``My main choice was a great education.''
Lavigne is of average build at 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds and never fancied himself as a home run hitter. He hit only one last season - against Tallwood in the district tournament - but a regular weightlifting regimen has turned warning-track power into home run power.
``None of his home runs have been cheap,'' Cox coach John Ingram said.
The home runs are thrilling, but they haven't changed Lavigne's approach at the plate.
``I've been getting good pitches to hit,'' he said. ``If one goes out, the next time I just to try to hit a hard ground ball or a line drive.''
That's helped keep his average high. He has hit safely in every game but one and struck out only once.
Lavigne's dream season has carried over to defense.
``He has a great glove and a tremendous arm,'' Ingram said.
Lavigne's favorite play is a diving stop in the hole.
``I like getting up and letting it loose,'' he said.
Lavigne also has been used as a pitcher and is 1-1 with a 0.92 ERA in 15 1/3 innings.
``I like coming in for the last two innings and throwing hard,'' he said.
First Colonial's Jeff Butler redirected one of those fastballs into a home run when the two rivals met for the first time on April 9.
Butler's blast came in the bottom of the 10th - Lavigne's fourth inning in relief of Jason Dubois - and gave the Patriots a 4-3 victory.
``I sat there and thought about what I'd have done differently,'' Lavigne said. ``Then I forgot about it and focused on the next game.''
The next game against First Colonial, he meant.
``We all know when it is,'' Lavigne said. ``May 7.''
BEACH BASHING: The Beach District has been a hitter's paradise this spring. Every team has scored 10 runs in a game at least once and Cox (twice) and Ocean Lakes have each topped 20.
``In our district there are probably only three dominant pitchers who can completely shut somebody down,'' said First Colonial coach Norbie Wilson, whose team has scored 15 runs three times. ``There are a lot of young pitchers and that's got a lot to do with all the scoring.''
Nowhere has the merry-go-round gone faster than at Kempsville. At least one team reached double figures in 10 of the Chiefs' first 12 games and Kempsville had its four-game winning streak snapped Wednesday 17-13 by Green Run.
Hottest of the Chiefs has been centerfielder Derek Hoffler, whose average has been hovering around .600, coach Todd Perdue said. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Tim Lavigne, a senior at Cox High, is batting .537 with six home
runs and 22 RBIs through the Falcons' first 11 games. He is headed
for U.Va. on a partial baseball scholarship. ``My main choice was a
great education,'' he said.
Graphic
AREA HOME RUN LEADERS
(Through April 25)
Jeff Butler, First Colonial 6
Tim Lavigne, Cox 6
Mike Cuddyer, Great Bridge 5
Mike Morgan, Wilson 5
Nick Boyd, Kempsville 4
Joe Black, Salem 4
John Curtice, Great Bridge 3
Pat Abelon, Princess Anne 3
Casey Costello, Kempsville 3
Jason Dubois, Cox 3
by CNB