THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 26, 1996 TAG: 9607240141
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 65 lines
It didn't take long before Churchland Post 310 coach Robert Jones realized he'd be coaching an offensive juggernaut.
``The first day of tryouts, it seemed like everybody that crawled in the box was hitting line drives in the gaps,'' Jones said. ``It made me right nervous. I mean, it was nice to see 'em hit like that, but it makes you wonder, can they do it in game situations?''
Much to Jones' relief - and unlike last season - the answer has been a resounding yes. Sixteen games into the season, three players are hitting .400 or better and seven of the nine starters have homered for Post 310, who have pounded out a 12-4 record as of Tuesday.
``The hittingest team I've ever seen,'' Jones said.
This offense, combined with some stingy pitching, should make Post 310 a serious factor when the District 2 playoffs begin Monday. But before the postseason begins, four Post 310 players will be rewarded for their play during the regular campaign with berths in the District 2 All-Star game today at 4:45 p.m. at Harbor Park.
Centerfielder Otis Jones, shortstop J.C. Caperton, catcher Cory Bauswell and pitcher Robert Jones Jr. are Post 310's all-star selections.
Otis Jones has hit .400 and played flawlessly in center. Robert Jones, who signed with William & Mary last fall, is leading the team in hitting with a undefeated record and an ERA under one.
Pfeiffer College-bound Caperton is hitting near .400, while Bauswell has deftly handled the pitching staff and is also hitting in the high .300s.
The all-stars say they're looking forward to the game, but will not let it affect their focus on the postseason.
``It's an honor to make the all-star team, but I'd rather see us all make it to Oregon (site of the national championships),'' Otis Jones said.
In fact, Post 310 will have its hands full simply winning the District. Three-time champion Chesapeake Post 280, featuring perhaps its best team ever, was 16-0 at press time, including 2-0 against Post 310.
But Post 310 coach Robert Jones points out that both losses came by one run. One came as a result of a late-inning fielding breakdown, the other because of a late-inning baserunning gaffe. This explains why, after a 4-1 victory at Salem Monday, the Post 310 players spent an hour on baserunning fundamentals.
``There's not a dominating team in this league,'' coach Robert Jones said. ``The Post 280 coach (John Knight) told me they're very concerned about whether they can beat us again. I hope he's right.''
Coach Jones figures that the extended length of postseason games - nine innings versus seven in the regular season - works to the advantage of Post 310 in that it rewards the team's depth in the pitching staff and also allows its strong hitters an extra at-bat.
Robert Jones Jr. and Johnston will be the primary starters, with Matt Rogers and Jeff Fticsar assuming key middle relief roles and Chris Kelly remaining as the closer.
Even so, the Post 310 coach concedes that Post 280 has the edge in pitching. But he hopes that's more than offset by the type of hitting his players showed since Day One.
``They say good pitching beats good hitting, but I don't agree with that,'' Jones said. ``If you've got enough good hitters in the lineup, somebody's going to hit that good pitching.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Pitcher Robert Jones Jr.
Catcher Cory Bauswell by CNB