Remembering a heckuva run

By Tim Hayes
Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier
Published: April 30, 2009

This spring marks the 25th anniversary of the most dominant run by any Southwest Virginia baseball program in history.

J.J. Kelly won its fourth straight Virginia High School League Group A state title back in 1984.

The Indians had claimed the 1981, 1982 and 1983 titles behind the arm of legendary pitcher Doug Bates. Bates went 38-1 during his time at Kelly and still owns several VHSL pitching records.

But even without Bates, the Indians were impressive. They finished 19-2 the year after he graduated, relying on a balanced, versatile attack.

Scott Slemp went 2-for-4 with two RBIs in the 6-1 state-title game win over Lunenburg Central, and Mike Kannon added two hits. Tim West was the winning pitcher in relief.

Slemp, West, Lynn Sturgill, Jim Hicks, Tyrone Gardner and Todd Breeding provided the senior leadership for head coach Mack Shupe that season.

And they hoisted yet another state championship trophy.

?Just because we?ve won it all several times doesn?t mean winning it again is not special,? Slemp told the Bristol Herald Courier?s Johnny Wilson following the state title contest. ?After the year I?ve had, with a severe shoulder injury in both football and basketball, winning it all again in baseball is nice.?

I remember those games. I don't think there will ever be another team as dominant as that team was, they made it look easy.