THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607120198
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, CLIPPER SPORTS EDITOR
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 56 lines
The Virginia High School League's Coaches All-Star softball game provided Dana Crisostomo one last chance to shine in her Great Bridge uniform.
But it wasn't the last time the All-Tidewater outfielder will star for a South Hampton Roads team in green and gold.
Crisostomo, who batted .293 and knocked in 10 runs for the Wildcats, will play for Norfolk State on a full scholarship next year - an accomplishment she's dreamed of fulfilling.
``Since my junior year,'' she said, ``my eye was set on Norfolk State. I wanted to stay close to home so my parents could come and see me play. And, I felt comfortable there. (Norfolk State head coach) Toran Smith is tough, but good. He's not going to let me slack off.
``He's the kind of coach who will put my butt in gear.''
When she is in gear, Crisostomo, who plans to major in physical therapy or athletic training, can reach first base after a left-handed bunt in 3 1/2 seconds. In her final high school season, she stole 22 bases and scored 28 runs as Great Bridge's lead-off batter.
In Wednesday's All-Star game, it was Crisostomo's renowned speed and aggressive base running that sparked a 2-1 victory for her East squad in the bottom of the ninth with one out.
Down 1-0, Crisostomo followed Salem's Michelle Pritchard, who grounded out to the pitcher, with a walk. On the fourth ball, Crisostomo saw the ball get by the catcher and sprinted to second to put herself in scoring position.
Michelle Meadows of Monacan followed, sending a pair of fly balls deep in foul territory. Anxious and with a big lead, Crisostomo was more than halfway to third when her third base coach reminded her that she'd have to tag up on a caught ball deep to left in hopes of tying the score with two out. But that wasn't in the cards.
Instead, Meadows drilled a 225-yard home run and Crisostomo scored easily and greeted her teammate at home plate with a hug. Crisostomo said contributing to the East's win over the West was one of her greatest athletic achievements.
``It was the most exciting thing,'' said Crisostomo, the only South Hampton Roads player in the line-up for the entire nine inning game. ``It feels great to know that I helped the best seniors from around the state win. Even if it was by a walk and sprinting to second like that.''
As for the future, Crisostomo says she'll look to the past to help her become a better player. The words of wisdom she gained from Great Bridge coach Noble Palmer - also one of her All-Star coaches - will help take her to the next level.
``I learned so much from him,'' she said. ``Coach Palmer is one of a kind. I'm going to miss him. But I'm not going too far.''
More than likely, it'll be 240-feet - the distance Crisostomo needs to travel to touch all the bases. ILLUSTRATION: Dana Crisostomo
Will attend Norfolk State by CNB