THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608010158
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
LENGTH: 142 lines
9-UNDER TIDEWATER DRILLERS What's ahead: 9-under National Championships in Sherwood, Ark., July 27-Aug. 3.
How qualified for nationals: Open tournament; no state qualifier in 9-under division.
Team members: Joe Cranley, Bradley Falls, James Dale, Rustin Jesse, Rob Hyatt, Ryan McCarron, Chris Kennedy, Chris Keenan, Brandon Kennon, Shawn Zimmerman, A.J. Spinella, Max Padric, Billy Mueller, Alston Wright.
Co-managers: Gary Wright, Guy Hyatt.
Coaches: Jimmy Keenan, James Kennon.
Manager's outlook on nationals: Hyatt: ``I think we're deeper than most teams because we have 14 kids and all 14 are really good ballplayers. Hitting is our strength. We played a 10-year-old schedule and we hit that pitching very well. We have no expectations, and our kids don't know how good they are because all we talk about is playing error-free ball. There's no pressure, no fear.''
10-UNDER TIDEWATER BLASTERS What's ahead: 10-under National Championships in Kansas City, Aug. 3-11.
How qualified for nationals: Won state tournament.
Team members: Ryan Pond, Justin Holloman, Stephen Parsons, Brad Stephenson, Chase Townsend, Chris Macchia, Casey Childress, Steven Wright, Wes Wiggins, Matt Suttmiller, Todd Harrell, Ben Allen, Greg Early, Eric Nester.
Manager: Towny Townsend.
Coaches: Ray Pond, Steve Suttmiller, Steve Parsons, Bob Macchia.
Manager's outlook on nationals: ``This team has played 37 games. In past years, we've sent teams that have played only six or seven. We've got outstanding defense, 10 pitchers to utilize and we can put the ball in play. If we don't do well, it'll probably be because of the coaches. It won't be because of the kids.''
10-UNDER TIDEWATER DRILLERS What's ahead: 10-under National Championships in Kansas City, Aug. 3-11.
How qualified for nationals: Second in the state tournament.
Team members: Nelson Adcock III, Andrew Black, Rory Byrd, William Davis, Steven Goldburg, Chris Green, Hunter Hall, Brandon Hendrix, Aaron Hurwitz, Shane Kozuch, Nachion Moore, Andrew Peck, O'Max Williams, Chris Williford, Jesse Wilson.
Manager: Bryan Black.
Coaches: Nelson Adcock, Bernie Kozuch, Tim Peck.
Manager's outlook on nationals: ``Our 1995 10-under team finished fifth in the nation last year in Kansas City. We would love to put ourselves in a position to finish in the top 10 in the nation again this year. Our defense is solid, and our offense is capable of scoring runs in bunches. The key will be our big three pitchers: Aaron Hurwitz, Hunter Hall and Brandon Hendrix.''
11-UNDER VIRGINIA BLASTERS What's ahead: 11-under National Championships in West Des Moines, Iowa. July 27-Aug. 3.
How qualified for nationals: Won state tournament.
Team members: Scott Sizemore, Tommy Weston, Chad Bray, Greg Sexton, Josh Gowland, Zac Covington, Will Cochrane, Mike LaFleur, Robert Crumpler, Thane Smith, Andrew Cleek, Wes Payne, Ryan Brake.
Manager: Terry Sizemore.
Coaches: Bill Cochrane, Norm LeFleur.
Manager's outlook on nationals: ``Our strong points are pitching and defense and timely hitting. Wes Payne, Robert Crumpler, Josh Gowland and Chad Bray will handle most of the pitching chores. Our best hitters figure to be Scott Sizemore, Tommy Weston, Greg Sexton, Will Cochrane and Wes Payne. We've played almost 60 ballgames, starting in March. We're really prepared for this. Hopefully, there won't be any surprises out there.
11-UNDER TIDEWATER CARDINALS What's ahead: 11-under National Championships in West Des Moines, Iowa, July 27-Aug. 3.
How qualified for nationals: Second in the state tournament.
Team members: Doug Dorival Jr., Andrew Bucher, Zach Zigrang, Jason Major, Michael Kirby, Matt Daniels, Tyler Crane, Kevin Kielbasa, Tristen Covington, Tommy Hodges, Josh Simonds, Dustin Mooney, Adam Leonard.
Manager: Doug Dorival.
Coaches: Paul Zigrang, Jerry Crane.
Manager's outlook on nationals: ``The Blasters and the Drillers who went to this tournament last year did very well, and I think we're every bit as good as those teams were. We've got a pretty good pitching staff and we're a solid hitting team. Hey, if we didn't think we could compete we wouldn't have spent the money to come out.''
12-UNDER VIRGINIA BLASTERS What's ahead: 12-under National Championships in Burnsville, Minn., Aug. 2-10.
How qualified for nationals: Won state tournament.
Team members: John Corbin, Jacob Dempsey, Billy Conides, Bobby Isenberg, Matt Reardon, Mark Reynolds, Herbert Griffin, B.J. Upton, Hunter Wilfore, Kris Wiggins, Matt Hirschberg, Trevor Ronan, Barrett Ripley, Jeff Ostrander, Anthony Martinez, Trey Collier.
Manager: Vic Wilfore.
Coaches: Manny Upton, Mark Isenberg, Greg Reynolds, Henry Cuddyer.
Manager's outlook on nationals: We're a very strong offensive team. We played against 13-and-unders on a regulation-size field all year long. Then, in the state qualifier, we came back down to the smaller field and hit nearly the 11s last year. But when you get to nationals, you can worry about what you did in the past. You've just got to play.''
13-UNDER TIDEWATER DRILLERS What's ahead: 13-under National Championships in Chickasha, Okla., July 27-Aug. 3.
How qualified for nationals: Won state tournament.
Team members: Jeff DeMara, Josh Banashak, Trey Brown, Chris Dolen, Brian Hollowell, Randy Journigan, David Moore, Steven Parker, Dusty Pate, Colin Roberson, Sean Slaughter, Mike Thomas, Jeremy Walters, Andre Dobbins, Rob Reynolds, Kameron Mills, Bryan Langbord.
Manager: Tyree Brown.
Coaches: Randy Journigan, Rick Ezell, Robo Roberson, Scott Parker.
Manager's outlook on nationals: ``This team last year finished ninth in the country last year. Considering that, and the fact that we went 37-2 this year and won the state tournament, means I expect us to improve. To be honest with you, our kids expect to win the whole thing. They have high expectations.''
14-UNDER TIDEWATER DRILLERS What's ahead: 14-under National Championships in Kingsport, Tenn., Aug. 2-10.
How qualified for nationals: Won state tournament.
Team members: Brian Barnett, Richard Carper, Brian Hallal, Steven Han, Kent Griffin, Kurt Isenberg, Andy Johnson, Beau McLaughlin, Scott Matthews, Victor Notarfrancesco, Matt McDonald, Matt Holtzman, Pete Robinson, Brandon Palmer.
Manager: Barry McLaughlin.
Coaches: Jeff Varner, Al Babadilla, Bill Barnett.
Manager's outlook on nationals: Our offense will be the key. We scored 75 runs in seven games in the state qualifier. We've also got good pitching. But the main things we want to do is to play to our fullest potential, have fun and love the game. That should be easy for this group. I've been coaching youth baseball for 10 years and this is the classiest bunch of ballplayers I've ever been associated with. Not a bad sport in the group.''
15-UNDER VIRGINIA BLASTERS What's ahead: 15-under National Championships in Concord, N.C., Aug. 2-10.
How qualified for nationals: Third in the state tournament.
Team members: Glen Sweitzer Jr., Rick Baucom Jr., Keagan Broussard, Steve Canter, Matt Colohan, Justin Dempsey, Aaron Harrison, Michael Herzing, Chris Kasmark, Brad Partain, Joey Robbins, Josh Roenker, Brian Shuler, Tim Tharp, David White, Justin Sweatman.
Manager: Glen Sweitzer.
Coaches: Rick Baucom, Gary Harrison, Tim White.
Manager's outlook on nationals: ``We've got a well-rounded team offensively and defensively. We played really really well together in the state tournament. This is the first time this team has advanced to a national tournament. We're excited about our opportunity. I think we have a good chance to advance through the pool play. We'll take our chances from there.'' MEMO: Main story on page 14. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN
Outfielder/catcher Jessie Wilson, left, and Timothy Black, bat boy,
both of the U10 Drillers, watch the action during an AAU game.
The official insignia of the Amateur Athletic Union. by CNB