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By joe McCullough
Rappahannock News Special Writer
“Rappahannock County has not had an outstanding baseball team in 14 years. But the 1989 team has the potential to once again make Rappahannock a contender in baseball,” said Coach Gary Leake, as he assessed the diamond possibilities in an interview this week.
The Panthers return 12 players from last year’s 10-8 squad. Six of their present starters are seniors; the other three positions are filled by juniors, Two players, senior Doug Smith and junior Philip Daczewitz, were second team all-district last year. All of these factors make Leake confident that the Panthers can finish among the top four teams in the Bull Run District. That’s the team’s goal: to participate in the four-team post-season tournament and gain a regional berth.
As the Panthers readied for their first game at Strasburg on Tuesday, Leake named his team’s major strengths as experience, fielding the ball, speed and hitting. “Defense is a two-part thing and we have half of it filled. Right now we’re catching the ball real well, but accuracy on the throws are a concern. We’re hitting the ball great, considering it’s March and we haven’t had a lot of practice time due to the extended basketball ^season,” the coach said, noting that 'two-thirds of the baseball team was on the RCHS basketball squad that made it to the second round of regional play. “We also have the speed to steal up to six bases a game this year,” added Leake.
Much of the Panthers’ success will hinge on the performance of the six-foot-four, 200-pound Smith. “Doug will be the anchor of our pitching staff. His fast ball is in the low-to-mid 80s and he’s worked hard to develop an accurate curveball and slider. He did real well in our scrimmage with RMA and will start against Strasburg,” said Leake.
Behind the plate in his fourth year of varsity will be Wesley Jenkins. “Wesley skipped basketball this year so he could lift weights and get ready for baseball. He’s one of
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