North Stafford standouts are team’s role models

URIAH A. KISER / Stafford County Sun
Published: March 27, 2008

Quiet, but popular with his teammates, Miller is considered the team's leading pitcher. Adams, who tends to be lighter and more vocal, plays centerfield. When it comes to the game, however, both seniors recognize the younger players look up to them as role models.

"Miller is the type of example you want to follow on the field," said Adams of his teammate. "He has a kind of quiet confidence the other players can recognize."

"Yeah, the guys do kind of look to me I guess, so I try to lead by example," said Miller.

Both have played baseball at North Stafford for all four years of their high school career. Both were on the team that advanced to the state championship game for the first time in school history, two years ago. Then the team played Menchville High School from Newport News. At the time Menchville was on a 24-game winning streak, which then made it 25.

Both Adams and Miller know second chances are never guaranteed, but they plan to do everything in their power to see the team gets one this year.

"We've put a lot of focus and hard work into the practices this year. -We've tried to instill this into the younger guys, because if you sit back and relax people will see that, and those people will beat you," said Adams.

James Labrusciano, North Stafford's coach, said success on the field this season will depend on the consistency of all three aspects - pitching, offense and defense.

"If we can get consistency from our seniors this season, the sophomores will be able to come into their role," said Lambrusciano. "I've also coached football and basketball through the years, and one constant that I've seen is the ones that flaunt their confidence are the ones that have to run their mouth to actually build up their confidence.

What I believe, and what I tell these guys, is that we don't need to be told we're good. We know we're good."

Both players are considered good enough to be courted by multiple schools. Adams will be heading to Christopher Newport University in the fall to study biology, and continue his passion for baseball.

The senior was also offered a walk-on spot at Temple University in Philadelphia, and Emory in Atlanta, which finished number two in the country last year.

Miller is still reviewing his options, as he has received offers from more than nine schools, including George Mason, James Madison, The University of Richmond, Longwood, and Old Dominion in Norfolk.

"The ball is in his hands," said Lambrusciano.

The first game of the season was Tuesday against Paul VI High School from Fairfax. Paul VI won the game 15-2.

"A win is a win. You don't get style points out there. -You try to play the best baseball early in the season and it might get a little ugly in the beginning, but it's the team who makes the average play that wins the game," Lambrusciano said.

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