THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, May 18, 1996 TAG: 9605180447
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES BLACK, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KINSTON, N.C. LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
A destructive force has visited Grainger Stadium this week. Hitting harder and staying longer than the inclement weather, Old Dominion's Ron Walker has singlehandedly taken over the Colonial Athletic Association baseball tournament.
From tape-measure home runs to mowing down opponents from the mound, Walker has left a lasting impression in guiding the Monarchs (38-15) to today's 1 p.m. tournament final against James Madison, which on Friday eliminated Virginia Commonwealth 10-1 and UNC-Wilmington 8-5.
``He's on fire. It's amazing,'' catcher Matt Quatraro said. ``When someone gets hot like that, the team can just get on his back and that's the way it is right now.''
Simply put, Walker's play has been unreal. Offensively, the sophomore is 7 for 10 with four RBIs and four extra-base hits. But it was his sixth hit of the tournament, a solo home run against UNC-Wilmington in the second inning Thursday, that had everyone talking.
With CAA career strikeout leader Jason Ramsey on the mound, Walker was prepared for a challenge.
``He threw me a curveball and missed with that,'' Walker said after Friday's workout. ``He threw me a fastball and then I figured he would come with another fastball. He threw it there and I hit it. I wasn't trying to hit a home run or anything.''
The shot, estimated at 455 feet, was more like a rocket, hitting the roof of a building behind left-centerfield. Only Detroit's Cecil Fielder and Albert (then Joey) Belle, who both played Class A ball in Kinston, are believed to have hit the same spot.
In the press box, ``I wouldn't mind seeing him play here,'' was the consensus among the minor league Indians' statisticians and scoreboard operators.
``I love Kinston. I love this stadium, it's a great hitter's park,'' Walker said in reference to the locals' remarks. ``It's a great atmosphere to play in.''
However, the home run was just part of the highlight package. Six innings later, Walker took the mound. End of story for UNC-W.
``I don't think there are too many ballclubs that would have swung the bat against him (Thursday evening),'' Seahawks coach Gary Scalf said. `` That's the competitiveness coming out of Ronnie.''
The last six outs for UNC-W were a blur - whiff, pop, ping. Just like that, Walker retired the six batters he faced, including three by strikeout.
``He just totally overmatched a team we had trouble getting out a month ago,'' ODU coach Tony Guzzo said. ``The fact that he had more after his third night of throwing is kind of indicative of his competitive spirit.''
In ODU's first three tournament games, Walker has earned his sixth victory of the season and two saves.
``I'm just trying to be a bull out there,'' he says. ``I'm not trying to throw the ball past people. I'm just trying to hit my spots.''
Still undefeated in the double-elimination tournament, the Monarchs will have two chances for their third straight conference tournament championship. Should ODU lose the 1 p.m. game, a second game will follow. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Ron Walker by CNB