THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 1, 1996 TAG: 9606010356
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 55 lines
Cox ended a four-game stretch without scoring in double figures - its longest of the season - by pummeling Denbigh 14-3 in Friday's Eastern Region baseball final at Old Dominion University.
The championship, Cox's first and the fifth straight by a Beach District team, earned the Falcons home-field advantage in the first-round of the state tournament. Cox (24-1) will play the Central Region runnerup, to be determined today, on Tuesday night at 7 at ODU.
Jason Dubois triggered Cox's 17-hit assault with a bases-empty home run off Denbigh starter and loser Mike Mars leading off the second.
That was just the spark Cox needed after being held to a season-low two runs and six hits in Thursday's semifinal win over Bethel, Falcons shortstop Tim Lavigne said.
Every Falcon hit safely - led by Lavigne and Eric John with three hits each. Lavigne also drove in three runs.
Catcher Brandon Ramsey, who bats ninth, was 2 for 2 with a pair of walks, scored four runs and drove in one.
``We wanted to come back and prove to everyone we're No. 1 in the Eastern Region,'' Ramsey said. ``I think we did that.''
Ramsey got no argument from Mars.
``I watched them (Thursday) night and after not getting many hits I'd felt they'd be ready,'' Mars said of the Falcons. ``They are the best hitting team I've ever seen in my life. We were focused. They just beat us.''
All that offense made it simple for winning pitcher Ted Tignor, who worked 4 2/3 innings for his seventh victory against no defeats. His brother, Jeff Tignor, finished.
The Falcons backed both Tignors with some spectacular defense. Scott Magnuson opened the game with a running, backhanded catch in leftfield to rob Keith Windle.
On the next batter third baseman Aaron Straughbaugh made a diving stop to his right and threw out Mark Bender at first.
If there was a key moment it came in the bottom of the fourth. Denbigh (21-2) scored to make it 5-1 and had the bases loaded with one out.
Hayden Lee hit a sharp grounder that second baseman Jeff Tignor and Lavigne converted into an inning-ending doubleplay.
``When guys make plays like that you just throw it and let them hit it,'' Ted Tignor said.
Dubois, who took himself out of Thursday night's game with a stiff elbow, said he was sore early in the day Friday but felt better after the game.
Cox coach John Ingram said he would carefully monitor Dubois's progress before settling on Tuesday's starting pitcher. ILLUSTRATION: EASTERN REGION BASEBALL FINAL
MOTOYA NAKAMURA
The Virginian-Pilot
Denbigh catcher Josh Phares stretched backwards going after a popup
against Cox on Friday, but failed to make the catch. by CNB