BRIEFS: Billy Wagner Set To Make Return For Mets

From Staff & Wire Reports
NEW YORK — Just 11 months after undergoing major elbow surgery, former Tazewell High School star Billy Wagner is on the brink of completing his comeback for the New York Mets.

Wagner rejoined the team Monday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday. Mets manager Jerry Manuel said Wagner is slated to throw a heavy bullpen session Tuesday before taking two days off. If he feels good after that, he would be activated Friday.

“We still have to be careful,” Manuel said. “He has worked extremely hard to get back this early.”

The 38-year-old lefty, sixth on the career list with 385 saves, has been out all season following elbow ligament replacement surgery Sept. 10. His contract expires after this year.

“I’m a competitor. You want to compete. You really don’t want someone to tell you your career is over,” Wagner said. “When I first get in a game it’s going to be emotional. Who knows where the ball is going to go.”

Wagner did not allow a run in seven injury rehabilitation appearances with the rookie-level Gulf Coast Mets and High-Class A St. Lucie (Fla.) Mets.

In seven innings during his rehab stint, Wagner allowed three hits, walked none and struck out 10.

Wagner made his major league debut in 1995. He’s compiled a 39-37 record and 2.40 ERA in 765 career games with the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and Mets.

Hill named Southern League’s best
Former Sullivan East High School star Nick Hill has been selected as the Class AA Southern League’s latest pitcher of the week recipient.

Hill is 5-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 33 games (six starts) for the West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx. The left-hander has won his last two starts, including a dominant complete-game three-hitter on Aug. 10 against the Carolina Mudcats.

Bluefield 4, Bristol 1
The struggles continued for Bristol White Sox pitcher Steven Upchurch on Monday night.

Upchurch dropped his fourth straight decision as the BriSox suffered an Appalachian League loss to the Bluefield Orioles at Bowen Field.

Upchurch (3-8, 5.81 ERA) yielded four runs (two earned) on seven hits in four innings. He walked three and struck out one. The Alabama native currently leads all Appy League pitchers in losses.

Bristol’s bats were also silenced, being held to six singles, by Bluefield pitchers Justin Moore and Ryan Palsha. Leighton Pangilinan led the Sox with two hits, while second baseman Daniel Wagner drove in the lone run for the visitors.

Leadoff hitter Javier Santana had two hits and two runs to lead Bluefield.

PREP FOOTBALL
Jamborees set for Friday
Virginia High, St. Paul and J.I. Burton will all host high school football jamborees on Friday.

Virginia High’s jamboree starts at 4 p.m. at Gene Malcolm Stadium and includes Chilhowie, Gate City, Powell Valley, Abingdon and VHS. Five matchups are scheduled and they will last three quarters apiece. Admission is $7.

St. Paul will host the Dominion Power/Shaw Group Kickoff Classic with Montcalm (W.Va.), Twin Springs, Twin Valley, Appalachia, Ervinton, Northwood and St. Paul all competing.

J.I. Burton will host the Alpha Natural Resources Jamboree that night as well.

GOLF
Abingdon sets record
Abingdon High School established a new school record for lowest team score in an 18-hole match on Monday afternoon at Holston Hills Country Club in Marion.

The Falcons recorded a score of 294 to win the Southwest District match. Medalist Jordan Patrick shot a 70 and teammate Robert Stallard fired a 71 to lead the way. Brent Jernigan (74) and Tyler Eschle
(79) also contributed to the record-setting round.

Kingsport golfer leads tourney
Kingsport’s Mark Houser holds the lead after the opening round of the Tennessee Golf Association’s Callaway Golf Senior Section Championship at Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro.
Houser shot an even-par 71 in the championship division on Monday and holds a two-stroke lead.

MEN’S SOCCER
VI picked last
After recently reinstating its program, Virginia Intermont College was picked to finish eighth in the eight-team Appalachian Athletic Conference in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Bryan was a unanimous pick for the top spot, followed by Montreat and Milligan.