The Nashville Graphic from Nashville, North Carolina • 6

THURSDAY. MARCH 12. 1961 THE NASHVILLE GRAPHIC. NASHVILLE. N.

C. PACC6 Knights Shut Out Firebirds By 2-0 nuke the play to first. Thomas injarod an ankle on the play and later had to leave the game. The Knights came with two rN is the feortk to win, 2-0. (Graphic photo by BoraeUe.) SACRIFICE BL'NT Northern Nash desigaated-hiUer Billy Goodwin but Tony Themes to second base in third-inning action of day's game with Soother Nash.

Firebird catcher Mike Bissette prepares Northern Nash Baseball Preview ing and another base hit by Northern's Tony Thomas in the bottom of that frame. Both pitchers were backed by excellent defense in the field. Knight third baseman Thomas Mabry turned in one of the finest plays in the third inning when he made a stop of a bard grounder by Strickland, then threw across the diamond to beat the Firebird pitcher by a step. The Knights got things going in the bottom of the fourth. Ellis opened the inning with a walk and Phil Sikes followed with a single.

Southern then appeared to turn over a triple play, but a controversial judgment call by the first base umpire kept the inning alive for the Knights. The play started when Northern's Kevin Payne slapped a grounder through the middle of the infield. Southern forced Sikes out at second, apparently doubled Payne off at first, then fired to the plate to nail pinch-runner Clarence Cooper, who was attempting to score from second on the play. The umpire ruled that no force had been made at first, however, so Payne remained on base and there were two outs. Johnnie Richardson followed with a single, Payne stopping at second.

This brought up Thomas, but he had to be removed for pinch-hitter Jerry Winstead after he aggravated an ankle injury swinging at the first pitch. Bases Loaded Winstead hit a sharp grounder to short, and the Firebirds' Allen Hardy STIVf PHftUPS When you're io the process of throwing a one-hitter, you 11 uke a run or two any way you can, then do the rest from there. That's eaactly what Bruce Ellis did Tuesday afternoon as the Knights of Northern Nash scrapped for two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and went on to defeat Southern Nash. 24). Ellis and Southern's Mike Strickland hooked up in a pitcher's duel through the first three innings, the only hits being a single by the Firebirds' Elvis Perry in the top of the third inn Firebirds Top Conley, 7-3 Allen Hardy and Scott May each drove in two runs Wednesday afternoon to lead Southern Nash to a 73 home win over Eastern Carolina Conference foe D.

H. Conley. The win upped the Firebirds' record to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference competition. Conley nicked Firebird starter Mike Bryant for a run in each of the first three innings of play, but Southern was busy doing some scoring of its own. The Firebirds broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the third with two runs, then put two more runs on the board in the fourth inning for the eventual winning margin.

Elvis Perry, making his second straight strong relief appearance for Southern Nash, picked up the win. 'Good Pitching Will Be The Key' confidently. "This is a new season, a new day." It's a good bet that the Knights' performance this season will bear him out. memories of last season, when the Knights got off to an 8-0 start, only to tail off at the end of the season? "No," Weaver replies back from last season's team has to help, and so far the Knights are off to a good start. But will the team be affected by couldn't come up with the ball.

Winstead was safe at first, loading the bases. The table was set for the lineup's number nine hitter, Billy Goodwin, and the junior DH was ready. Goodwin laced Strickland's third pitch into left field for a base hit. Richardson and Payne scored to put the Knights up. 2-0.

Ellis took over from that point. The Firebirds threatened in the top of the sixth inning when Ellis walked the first two batters. But Ellis made an excellent play on an attempted sacrifice bunt to nail Perry, the lead runner, at third. Ellis then struck out the final five batters be faced over the remaining two innings. Ellis ended up with 12 strike outs in upping Northern's seasonal, and his personal, record to 2-0.

It was the senior southpaw's second one-hitter in a row, the first coming last week at Roanoke Rapids. Northern Coach Danny Weaver praised Southern Nash's play in this close contest. "They have a good defense," Weaver said. "I'm a little surprised at just how good they are defensively." "We didn't hit the ball too good today." the Knight coach added. "I think our timing will come around with a little more action.

We just need to settle down and think baseball." Though Southern Coach Rick McMahon thought the first base umpire was out of position and missed the call on the fourth-inning triple play attempt, he did not feel it was the reason for his team's defeat. "We didn't score any runs, either," McMahon pointed out. "We might still be playing." Instead, the Firebirds will settle for a rematch. They won't have long to wait, with these same two teams scheduled to meet next Wednesday afternoon at Southern. RAA Cagers Face Raleigh In State Play-Off Action pressive in his first season, returns to team with first baseman Phil Sikes to give the Knights solid hitting in the middle of the lineup.

The infield should continue to provide good defensive support with Sikes at first, Tony Thomas and Wayne Melvin holding down second, Kevin Payne at shortstop, and quick Thomas Mabry at third. It is understandable, in view of the experience and talent here, that few ground balls trickle through the Knight infield for cheap hits. Doug Hammit is back to cover centerfield, with Johnnie Richardson getting a lot of work in right. Clint Carter returns to take care of the catching chores. Having so many players By STEVE PHILLIPS A veteran lineup and a fast start have to be encouraging.

But first-year coach Danny Weaver of Northern Nash is keeping his optimism low-keyed. "We should have solid hitting and good defense," Weaver says. "Good pitching will be the key." So far pitching has been no problem, with Bruce Ellis carrying the whole load in Northern's 2-0 start. But Ellis can't do it alone, and Weaver hopes to find one more reliable starter. He thinks he may have found the answer in Jerry Winstead and plans on giving him a look in next week's game with Southern Nash.

As Weaver noted, the hitting and defense should be in good hands. Ellis also swings a big bag as Northern's clean-up hitter. The Knights will find a way to get his bat into the lineup every game. Solid Hitting Junior leftfielder Carl Richardson, who was im The Rocky Mount Gryphon basketball team will swing back into state play-off action Friday night with an 8:30 encounter with Raleigh Broughton in the Wilson Hunt Senior High School gymnasium. The winner will face the Hoke County-Wilson Bed dingfteld winner on Saturday night for the Eastern Regional 4 A Championship.

The Eastern Champion will then compete for the state championship the following weekend in Greensboro. Rocky Mount and Broughton both have 21-5 records going into Friday night's contest. Broughton will try to match the firepower of the Gryphons' George McClain with a tall front line which features 67" center Mike Warren and a strong backcourt anchored by Andrew Hinton. Sports View By Stive PfcZSps SPORTS STATION Lady Bishops In Play-Offs Headquarters For All Tour Baseball end Softball Needs HI GLOVES From $16 99 SHOES From M4 month in La Crosse, but at large bids will be extended to some non-regional winners. "For that reason we want to make a good showing, even if we don't win the region," Ferrell says.

Featuring Rowling When Rocky Mount takes on Raleigh Broughton in the state playoffs Friday night, it will mark the second straight Capital VIII Conference opponent the Gryphons have faced in tournament competition. Rocky Mount handled Enloe with relative ease last week at home, but may face a tougher task against Broughton on a neutral floor. Note was made last week of the outstanding players turned out by Enloe and Rocky Mount, but Broughton hasn't turned our slouches in comparison either. Billy Williams a 1976 graduate, went on to make first team All-ACC at Clemson. The most notable Broughton basketball alumnus, of course, is Pete Maravich.

Should the Gryphons win the state basketball title, guard Steve Barnes will have the distinction of playing on two state championship teams within a year's time. Barnes is also a member of the Gryphon baseball squad which captured the state 4 A crown last spring. Pittaaaa Shines For Terps The talents of Charles Pittman are no secret to area followers, but after the recent ACC Tournament the rest of the basketball world should take notice as well. Pittman played well off the bench to help Maryland to the finals and was instrumental in the Terps' massacre of Virginia in the semi-final contest. Pittman went a perfect four-for-four from the floor and his rejection of a Ralph Sampson shot in the first half put him in an elite group that doesn't claim too many members.

Actually, Pittman has been a solid sixth man for the Terps all season and should step into the starting lineup next year with the departure of four Maryland starters to graduation. A junior college transfer, Pittman is considered a rookie in sport-s writers' balloting. The Northern Nash product would be a candidate for Rookie-of-the-Year honors in the ACC had it not been for the exceptional play of UNC's Sam Perkins. Ellis Off Ta Fine Start Senior Bruce Ellis of Northern Nash literally has an arm that won't quit Coach Danny Weaver said that Ellis wanted to waste ro time in getting back into action after throwing a one-hitter against Roanoke Rapids last week. "He wanted to pitch batting practice the very next day," Weaver reported.

Though he undoubtedly will throw some in practice to stay sharp, the Knights hope Ellis will save his strong left arm for as many game situations as possible after the way he has started this season. Converse Spot B.H. Nike Pony The North Carolina Wesleyan women's basketball team gets back into action today in the opening round of the AIAW Region 2 Tournament in Newport News, Va. The Lady Bishops will face Maryville of Tennessee in a 3 JO p.m. contest.

Lady Bishop coach Laura Ferrell has not seen the Maryville squad in person this season. But she said scouting reports indicate that Wesleyan will be facing a big lineup. "They're a tall team." Ferrell commented. "They hosted the tournament last year, so they do have regional experience." Ferrell hopes to counter Maryville's height by playing a running game and ball-hawking defense. The Lady Bishops plan to alternate between a man-to-man defense and a zone.

"Well try to pressure their guards and deny the ball to the wings." Ferrell said. "And even though we're a shorter team, we feel we can get the rebounds if we challenge them on the boards." Maryville's record stands at 15-8 for the season. Wesleyan is 14-7. including a 14-3 mark in Division III play. The tournament, which is being held on the campus of Christopher Newport College, features top teams from North Carolina.

Virginia. Kentucky. Tennessee and South Carolina. The semi-finals will be played tomorrow, with the ham peons kip set for Saturday. The winner of the region automatically advances to the national finals later this Spalding Wilson AAizund Wesleyan Netters Lose, 9-0 The Wesleyan College men's tennis team dropped its second straight tennis match Tuesday afternoon in a 94) setback to Hampden-Sydney.

Number one seed Scott Goodman led the way for the visitors from Virginia, scoring a straight set victory over the Bishops' Jamie Walker, then teaming with Worth Remick for a straight set victory over Walker and Joey Towe in doubles competition. Of more concern to Coach Ken Burgess than the outcome was the status of the Bishops' third-seeded player, Bobby Ashley. Ashley injured a knee in his match with Blitz James, and was feared to have torn cartilage. However, examination on Wednesday brought good news. "It looks like it is only a strain," Burgess said.

"We hope to have him back Saturday for our conference opener against St. Andrews." The Bishops will tune up for that match today with a aoa-eonferace tilt against George Washington at IX. Complete Selection Of Uniforms Check With Us For All Your Team Needs 7estrid33 Rocky Mount 443-0121.