THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, May 21, 1996 TAG: 9605210459
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ROBIN BRINKLEY
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 34 lines
Top-ranked Cox clubbed No. 2 First Colonial 11-1 Monday in a playoff for the Beach District's automatic bid to the Eastern Region baseball playoffs.
The Falcons (19-1) also earned top-seeding in the Beach District tournament which starts today at Trant Field.
Jason Dubois allowed only two hits and struck out nine in beating the Patriots (17-4) for the second time this season. He lost his no-hitter when Steve Tyler doubled to the gap in right-center with two outs in the fifth.
``I knew sooner or later I was going to lose something and I got that pitch up to Tyler,'' Dubois said. ``But I didn't really mind. I was just focused on winning.''
Cox decided the outcome swiftly and decisively by raking surprise starter Matt Large for five runs in the first. David Wilson, Jeff Tignor and Frank McDonnell had RBI hits off Large.
Chuck Coulombe relieved Large with a 2-0 count on Brandon Ramsey and two more runs scored when his catchable fly fell between second baseman Nate Frost and rightfielder Scott Schneider.
Large (4-1) had pitched well this month, but is the Patriots' No. 3 starter. Steve Johnson pitched Saturday and Ed Manley had started twice against Cox.
``It was just a coaching move and I'll stand behind it,'' First Colonial coach Norbie Wilson said of his decision to go with Large. ``I thought he could throw his (curve) for strikes, but he had trouble locating it.''
Cox added three runs in the second and another in the third on Tim Lavigne's seventh home run of the season. The 11 runs marked the 12th time the Falcons have scored in double figures. by CNB