THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, May 23, 1996                TAG: 9605230529
SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C9   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   44 lines

KREIDER HAS HIS WORK CUT OUT FOR HIM IN THE NCAA REGIONAL TOURNEY. HE'S MIDDLE MAN FOR MONARCHS

There's no appeal to pitching middle relief, but someone has to do it. In this case, Old Dominion's Justin Kreider.

A starter during the regular season, Kreider has stepped into the setup role. He does the dirty work in the late innings so that closer Ron Walker can come in and get all the glory in the end.

``It's not a glamour spot,'' said Kreider, who was 5-3 with a 3.26 earned-run average in the regular season. ``It's a spot where there are not a lot of wins or losses given to relievers.''

Maybe Kreider can get a victory against Georgia Southern in today's 11 a.m. NCAA Atlantic Regional opener at Clemson's Tiger Field. The Monarchs are seeded fourth, Georgia Southern third.

Generally, middle relief is where Kreider is expected to keep one pitcher in position to win while giving another pitcher a save opportunity. He succeeded during last week's Colonial Athletic Association tournament.

Kreider pitched in each of the four games - all victories. Though he gave up six hits in four innings of work, he allowed runs in just one appearance.

``He was sick during most of the tournament, but he never complained,'' coach Tony Guzzo said. ``He kind of typified our season of anybody being willing to do anything on a given day.''

The Monarchs will need the same from Kreider against the Eagles today. Georgia Southern has a team batting average of .312.

NOTES: The suspensions of outfielders Brian Fiumara and David Winter will last through this tournament. ODU athletic director Jim Jarrett has declined to explain the suspensions, but Winter's mother, Sue, said her son's suspension was for academic reasons. Fiumara, a senior, hit .364 this season and Winter, a freshman, hit .309. . . . Walker, the CAA tournament MVP, was named one of Mizuno's national players of the week on Monday. The sophomore, earning his second national honor this season, had seven hits and four RBIs in the four games. He also earned a victory and three saves. ILLUSTRATION: MOTOYA NAKAMURA

The Virginian-Pilot

Justin Kreider, a middle relief pitcher, had a hand in all four of

ODU's CAA tournament victories last weekend. by CNB