Newspaper Page Text
- Wednesday, April 13,1994 “Houston Times-Journal
Page 6A
Sports
Veto F. L
Roley I
Sports editor I
Area physicals
set for May 21
at hospital
Perry Hospital will be offering
physicals for the 1994-95 sports
season on May 21, 1994.
Chip McCarty, athletic trainer
for both Westfield and Perry, says
that it is highly suggested that any
one wanting to play any high
school or middle school sport to
make an effort to be at the hospital
for the physicals that Saturday.
The cost will be $5. The physi
cal is mandated by state law. More
information on the physicals will
follow in this section as May 21
approaches.
Region race heating up
Make it a point to get out to ei
ther the Panther Pit or to Westfield
in the coming few days.
While both the Hornets and Pan
thers are battling problems caused
by inexperience, Bert Brown and
Rob Jones have gotten their teams
into position to make a run for the
region playoffs.
The Hornets have had a difficult
season, winning only two games.
However, both of those wins have
come in the region, and both have
come on the road. On Monday, the
Hornets were in a three-way tie for
second, with six more games re
maining in the region schedule.
With four teams from the region
going to the playoffs, it is not in
conceivable that Westfield, as part
of a five-team region, has already
assured itself of a spot in the post
season.
The Hornets next play George
Walton in Perry Thursday, starting
at 4:30.
As of Monday, the Panthers had
a tougher road than the Hornets,
still trying to find a ticket to the
end-of-the season dance. However,
the Panther’s fate was still in their
own hands.
Tuesday's game against Fitzger
ald, played after the paper's deadline,
is critical, especially after the Pan
thers lost late to the Purple Hurri
canes in Perry. A win in Fitzgerald
sets up an interesting match Friday
against Ware County, who has the
best record in the region.
Jones had said the Panthers
should be able to force a playoff for
the final playoff position if they
win three of the final four games,
providing they beat Jones County,
Monday, April 18. The game will
be played in Gray, starting at 6:30
p.m.
A matter of respect
Journalism got another black eye
a few days ago, this time from
ESPN2's Jim Rome.
It is one thing to ask the tough
questions, to demand the hard an
swers; it is another to insult the
person you interview. Rome repeat
edly insulted Jim Everett by calling
him "Chris Evert," even after Ev
erett asked him to stop.
Well, as you perhaps have heard
by now, to put it simply, Rome
continued to run his mouth and Ev
erett shut him down, physically.
An interviewer should always
show the respect due to the person
he is interviewing. Rome did not
show that respect to Everett. And,
Rome paid for it.
Oh, to be like Mike
For those on the Mike watch,
Jordan finally got his first two hits
of the season while playing for the
AA Birmingham Barons.
Having a player of Jordan’s
stature is not unusual for the B inn
ingham club, which has been called
the best AA franchise in the United
States. When Bo was rehabing his
hip for the Chisox he spent a few
days in a Barons' uniform.
Birmingham has often been
looked at as a stepping stone to the
Major Leagues. Most of the current
members of the Chicago White Sox
have played in the Magic City, in
cluding the Big Hurt, went from
Birmingham to Chicago.
Since Frank Thomas has arrived
in the Windy City, he has proven
that Jackson was not necessarily the
best baseball player on the Auburn
team, football or baseball.
When Bill Veeck owned both the
Barons and the Oakland A's, Birm
ingham became the unofficial AAA
team for the A's. Such future stars
as Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fin
gers first stopped by Rickwood
Field before playing in the World
Series.
I hope Jordan makes it to the
Pleasa see flo/ay, page 7A
Hornets lose Heart Breaker to Athens
By VETO F. ROLEY
Staff Writer
Cliches sometimes prove them
selves to be true.
Baseball is called a game of
inches. Against Athens Christian
Friday night, that cliche came back
to haunt the Hornets as the West
field firstbaseman narrowly missed
tagging Athens' Gamer in the sev
enth. Gamer would come around a
score the winning run as Athens
would hand the Hornets their second
region loss, 6-5.
As it has been for much of the
season, a late inning rally spelled
doom for Westfield. After leading
for most of the game, the Hornets
allowed five runs in the bottom of
the seventh, allowing Athens
Christian to win the game.
The loss puts the Hornets into a
three-way tie for second in the re
gion with six games remaining on
the region schedule.
However, Westfield coach Bert
Brown said that his team was not
concentrating on the region race.
"We are concentrating on trying to
get a win," said Brown. "I'm con-
Hall of
Fame
Tourney set
BY PETER SNIPES
Special to the HTJ
The deadline for nominations for
the Houston County Golf Hall of
Fame, housed at Houston Lake
Country Club, is April 28, an
nounced Peter Snipes, media direc
tor for the Houston County Hall of
Fame Golf Tournament.
Nominees to the Hall will be
evaluated on their long-time contri
butions to the game in Houston
County. Currently, there are five
members of the Hall: Alan White,
Brown McDonald Sr., Eddie Wig
gins, Eddie Causey and Bobby
Jones.
Information on the nominating
process can be obtained by contact
ing the pro shop at any of the six
member courses of the Houston
County Golf Association. The
member courses are Houston Lake
Country Club, the Landings, Wa
terford Golf Club, Pine Oaks Golf
Please see Golf, page 7A
Hornets improve to 6-0
By VETO F. ROLEY
Staff Writer
Hornet golfers continued their
march to an undefeated season Sat
urday with a 305-313 defeat of Tat
tnall at the Golf Course of Macon
Monday afternoon.
Golf coach Marvin Arrington
said the scores were a little mislead
ing since par on the Macon golf
course was 70, instead of a normal
72.
"I thought they would have shot
better than they did," said Arring
ton. "The course was in good shape
and the weather was good."
"Still, they were good scores."
Eighth-grader Robert Harrison
was the low medallist in the match,
shooting a four-over-par 74. ”1
knew his potential," said Arrington.
"He made all the cuts (to be on the
Hornet five man team). He doesn't
Ware Co. Gators blast Perry at Waycross
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Derrick Oliver crosses the plate against Ware County In Waycross. Oliver, one of
Perry’s young freshmen, has enjoyed a great season behind the plate, throwing out
many baserunners this vear.
cemed with the boys getting a win.
We have lost two tough region ball
games."
Brown said that once his team
got a win, they could then "look at
the forest, instead of the trees."
Even though the Hornets are
looking for the win, Brown said
Westfield was still very much in
the region race, saying that the
Hornets needed at least two more
victories to be assured of a place in
post-season play.
"A couple of wins will put us
back in the thick of things," said
Brown.
Last inning kills Hornet at FPD
By VETO F. ROLEY
Staff Writer
Westfield is still have trouble
with the late innings.
Saturday, the Hornets traveled to
FPD in Macon to take on Alabama
Independent School Association
member Glenwood. The Gators
would score six runs in their final
at-bat to take the come-from-behind
victory 10-6.
After falling behind 3-0 in the
first, the Hornets would storm back
with five runs in the top of the sec
ond to take a 5-3 lead.
Although the Gators would add
one run in the bottom of the second
to cut the Hornet lead to one, pitch
ers Sheldon Shelton and Lon Talton
would make the lead hold up
through the middle innings, allow
ing only two base runners before
the sixth.
The Gators would explode for
their six runs off five hits and two
Hornet errors.
"We have to play seven full in
nings," said Westfield coach Bert
Brown. "Anything less is not going
to do iL"
Brown said that inexperience is
hurting his team. Although the
Hornets have six seniors in uni
form, Brown can only count on two
returning players, losing six posi
tion players and his designated hit
ter from last year's team.
The Hornets scored their first run
of the game against Glenwood
without the benefit of a hit. With
one out, Greg Adams, Jeff Dehem
and Lee Talton walked, while Clay
Smith was hit by a pitch to produce
the first run.
hit as long out the tee; but, he has
a good short game."
Three other Hornet duffers came
within five strokes of Harrison's
pace. Todd Rigdon and Ed Strick
land were just two strokes behind
Harrison, finishing the day with a
pair 765. Scott Hill rounded out the
four top scores with a 79. Keith
Culley goes to UG
By VETO F. ROLEY
Staff Writer
Freshwoman Marina Culley
took her first trip to the state girls
championship Saturday at the Uni
versity of Georgia, finishing 20
strokes off the winning pace with a
92.
Perry High School golf coach
Johnny Barton said that the Cul
The Hornets jumped out to the
immediate lead. With one out, Thad
Hawk walked. Troy Nuss doubled
to put runners at second and third.
Lon Talton scored Hawk with a sac
rifice fly to left. Nuss scored on
Jake Walls' single to left, giving
the Hornets a 2-0 lead.
The Hornets would build on that
lead in the top of the second. Again
with one out, Westfield would start
a rally.
Greg Adams would get the ball
rolling for the Hornets, collecting
an infield single. Michael Davis
doubled, putting runners on second
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Thad Cook beats out a single late In the game against Glenwood.
Although Glenwood was respon
sible for the first run, Billy
Kitchens was responsible for the
next three, clearing the bases with a
double to left Troy Nuss singled to
left to bring Kitchens in, giving the
Hornets the 5-3 lead.
Westfield would come back to
score one run in the seventh. With
one out, Nuss tripled to center. Jake
Walls would drive Nuss in with a
solid single to left.
Davis shot an 85 for the Hornets.
Thursday the Hornets will travel
to George Walton to look at the
course where the region champi
onship will be played. Arrington
said it will be the first time a cou
ple of his players have played the
course.
Please see Westfield, page 7A
ley's "woods and iron play was very
good."
The course at the University of
Georgia is covered with green bent
grass, which was "very slick.” Bar
ton said that Culley had trouble
putting on the bent grass.
In addition to Culley, Perry se
nior Cindy Dawkins also played.
Houston Times-Journal
and third. A two-out walk to Hawk
loaded the bases.
Nuss, who has paced the Hornets
all season, came through again with
his second double of the night,
scoring Adams and Davis. Athens
Christian would not allow Nuss to
do any more damage, walking him
his last two trips to the plate.
Athens would break the zero on
the scoreboard with a single run in
the third. However, the Hornets
would take advantage of Athens
Christian generosity to get the run
back in the top of the fifth.
Nuss, Lon Talton, and Walls
The Hornets would have one
other chance to score in the game,
coming in the sixth inning. Lance
Watson opened the sixth with a
walk. Dehem followed with a sin
gle. One out later, Thad Hawk beat
out an infield single to load the
bases.
However, the inning ended when
Matt Shepley grounded to second.
Hawk was tagged out by the second
Trojans rule Rozar courts
By VETO F. ROLEY
Staff Writer
The Westfield netters played through a long day at Rozar Park
Saturday, with Tattnall Square Academy beating the women’s team 5-4
and the men's team 8-1.
In women's play, Cindy Dunaway and Katie Davidson won in
singles play. Dunaway defeated Susan Stofer 9-7, while Davidson de
feated Joanna Boone 84.
Dunaway and Davidson combined in doubles play to defeat Boone
and Stofer 8-5. The other victory for the women was turned in by Leslie
Davis and Susanna Turner who defeated the Trojans double team of
Katie Thompson and Emma Drexel 9-7.
Marla Massey had the misfortune of meeting Alisha Witherall in
singles play. Witherall, who Westfield tennis coach Jenny Crooms said
played on the junior pro circuit, beat Massey 8-1. Tattnall's Kris Willis
beat Liz Lane 8-0.
"Those girls that we played Monday have improved a lot," said
Crooms. "It was a battle to the end; but, we wound up on bottom."
Crooms said the doubles team of Davis and Turner came back from
Please see Tennis, page 7A
By VETO F. ROLEY
Staff Writer
The Panthers got a glimpse at
their future Friday night when they
traveled to Waycross to battle the
Ware County Gators.
The Gators, many who have
played for four years, reaped the
benefits of experience, beating a
young Perry team 14-5.
The loss to the Gators drops the
Panthers to 7-9 overall and 3-5 in
the region. The Panthers have four
games remaining on their 1994
tour, all in the region.
Even with the five losses in the
region, Panther coach Bob Jones
says Perry controls its own fate in
the playoff race. If the Panthers can
win their remaining games, they
will go to the region playoffs.
The results of the Panther's
game against Fitzgerald Tuesday
night were unavailable at press
time. A win against the Purple
Hurricanes sets up key games
against Ware County Friday after
noon, Appling County Saturday
afternoon and Jones County Mon
day night. The Jones County and
Appling games are on the road.
"It's up to us," said Jones. "We
started the fifth with consecutive
walks to load the bases. One out
later, Sheldon Shelton lifted a fly
ball to centerfield, scoring Nuss.
However, the Hornets were then
caught by bad luck. On a sacrifice
fly situation with the bases loaded,
the pitcher is supposed to come be
hind home to back up a throw
home, while the firstbaseman
comes to the mound to relay the
throw in from the outfield.
In the fifth inning, the Gamer
forgot his job, staying a first.
However, Athens pitcher Castro
Please see Athena, page 7A
baseman, who then threw to first to
complete the double play.
Nuss paced the Hornets at the
plate collecting two hits including a
triple and a RBI. He is also the
leading Hornet batter on the season,
hitting .371. Shepley is second on
the Hornet batting charts, hitting
.302.
The loss to Glenwood drops the
Hornet's record to 2-11 on the year.
can go to the playofts as the num
ber four team (in the region)."
In order to win the region
outright, the Panthers must win all
four of their remaining region
games, counting Fitzgerald. How
ever, Jones said the Panthers could
still lose one game on the season if
the loss was not to Jones County.
Should the Panthers lose at Ap
pling, Fitzgerald or Ware, the battle
for the fourth region slot will come
down to a one-game playoff. If
Jones County beats the Panthers in
Gray April 18, then the Greyhounds
will own the fourth slot since Jones
beat the Panthers early in the year.
"I really credit the kids who have
hung in there as long as they have,"
said Jones. "It says a lot for them.
Hopefully, we can win.”
Against the Gators, Perry would
lead early before giving way to
Ware County. Travis Cantrell
started the game with a single. Two
outs later, Dallas Waldrip collected
his fifth homer of the season to put
Perry up early 2-6.
However, the Gators would
come back in the bottom half of the
first to score three runs on three
Please see Perry, page 7A