THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 5, 1996 TAG: 9605020195
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 34 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY JEFF ZEIGLER
CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: HERTFORD LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
WHEN PERQUIMANS County lost its first two baseball games, it looked as though the Pirates weren't as good as expected. All Perquimans did after that was rip off a 14-game winning streak.
Perquimans has used top-flight pitching, fielding and hitting to grab the Albemarle Conference lead - and with four juniors and two sophomores starting.
Leading the mound corps has been Clint Eley, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior who jumped out to a 5-0 start.
``We felt like we could count on him as our ace. He won a couple of big games for us last year as a sophomore,'' said Phil Woodell, Perquimans coach.
A surprise has been lefthander Jason Clark who opened at 5-1 after having average JV success last year. Other pitchers are Shelby White (2-0) and Mike Salvatore (2-1).
At the plate, the Pirates are strong throughout the lineup. Woodell noted that Brock Nixon and Carson Stallings have been swinging well, but he said the hitting has been a team effort.
``We've had some kids pretty consistent, but it's really been funny. One day someone is not hitting and someone else will step up,'' Woodell said.
A big edition to the lineup has been the bat of Paul Hunter. Hunter had a disappointing freshman season and was sent back to the JV. This year, batting clean-up, Hunter is hitting in the mid-.300's and with power.
``He has really played much better, much more relaxed. He probably has improved as much as anybody this year,'' Woodell said. ``He put a lot of pressure on himself. He's matured mentally as well as anybody we've got.''
Perquimans plays aggressively - putting the ball in play, stealing bases and taking the extra base.
``We just try to get a good piece of the ball every time up. We want to make the pitcher and the defense work and see what happens,'' Woodell said. ``If we can keep our strikeout totals down and make them make the plays, that's a plus for us.''
Mark Clinkscales, who bats lead-off, had 10 stolen bases in 16 games.
With four teams going to the 1A state playoffs from the Albemarle Conference, Perquimans (8-0 in the conference as of Wednesday) appears a postseason lock. It's not easy to finish first, especially unbeaten, with top teams like Camden and Williamston, last year's 1A state champs, in the same conference.
``We feel real fortunate to be in the position we're in,'' Woodell said. ``Hopefully it will continue the rest of the year.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by DREW C. WILSON
Perquimans baseball's standouts this year are, from left, Paul
Hunter, Mark Clinkscales and Clint Eley.
by CNB