THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 8, 1996 TAG: 9605080651
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
Bayside had a plan for Heidi Hill:
Bring the potential pitching sensation along slowly.
Get her plenty of work as a junior varsity starter.
Bring her into a few varsity games.
Move her into a starting varsity role as a junior.
The strategy has worked beyond expectations.
Hill was overpowering in JV, guiding the Marlins to a 10-0 freshman season in which she also went 1-1 with the varsity. In eight varsity starts last season, she was 8-0.
So far this spring, Hill has pitched Bayside to a 13-0 record and the area's No. 1 ranking.
She has an amazing 0.55 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 89 innings, including a combined 12 Ks in two victories last week.
For her efforts, Hill has been named the Female Athlete of the Week by The Virginian-Pilot.
Bayside wasn't supposed to be the top team this season.
With four-year starting pitcher and two-time All-Tidewater Player of the Year Amy Hooks graduated, the Marlins were expected to suffer without Hooks' skills and poise.
It hasn't turned out that way.
``There was a method to how we did this,'' coach Conrad Parker said. ``During two summers, Heidi pitched 30 games in NSA and ASA tournaments.''
Hill's best pitch is a fastball that was clocked at 54 mph against Cox. She also has pretty good changeup, offspeed and riser pitches. But what opponents notice most is how she and catcher Tracey Berger work the plate.
"I don't throw down the middle too much," said Hill, who emphasized that her defense has helped make her look so good. "We work the corners and Tracey is a big help with that...knowing where to pitch all these people.''
With her pitching mechanics taken as far as Parker can take them, Hill has been designated the task of striving for perfection. Bayside assistant and former Marlin and ECU standout Lisa Corprew has been a huge factor - helping Hill with fitness and strength training.
``Heidi can throw to spots as good as anybody I've ever seen and that takes great concentration,'' Parker said. ``We've told her she has to work on throwing stronger while keeping her location. She's been doing the work and all that was for this here (13-0 season).''
Just the way it was planned. ILLUSTRATION: Heidi Hill
Bayside
by CNB