Beamon hoping to push CCSN along in playoffs

Wednesday, May 7, 2003 | 9:25 a.m.

Calvin Beamon III delivered the hit of the season for the Community College of Southern Nevada Thursday night at Lied Field in Henderson.

In the 10th inning against Salt Lake Community College, Beamon drilled a two-hop triple to the wall in right-center field to drive in a run, then he scored to tie the game. The Coyotes won it, 4-3, two batters later.

That led to CCSN closing that series Friday, and a spot in the three-game Scenic West Athletic Conference championship series against the College of Southern Idaho, beginning Thursday at 7 p.m at CCSN.

Beamon, hitting .341, did not know that coach Tim Chambers had considered taking him out for a pinch-hitter.

"He told me that when I got to third," Beamon said Tuesday. "I'm glad I didn't know ... I just saw the ball fat, all the way out of the pitcher's hand."

Beamon, 19, is a natural center fielder playing in right and one of the most versatile players Chambers has coached in the program's four-year history.

Beamon also is the temporary property of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who selected him in the 26th round of the amateur draft last summer.

The Pirates have until a week before the June draft to secure his services. Chambers and Beamon said they don't expect Pittsburgh to meet his bonus demand -- in the $500,000 range -- and that he will probably be a Coyote next year, too.

After that, if major league teams don't meet his requirements, he said he would consider playing at the University of Texas. His parents, Calvin Sr. and Liz, are native Texans.

Calvin III said he has also been keeping an eye on UNLV's progress under second-year coach Jim Schlossnagle.

"I'm definitely proud of getting drafted out of high school," he said. "That was one of my goals. If it works out, it works out. Offers from Division I schools will only enhance my position in future drafts."

Rick Cerrone, the father of the Coyote by the same name and a Toronto Blue Jays scout, tipped Chambers to Beamon. CCSN assistant coach M.J. Mariani, who took a post at Oral Roberts before the season, was instrumental in signing him.

"When he really learns how to play the game, he's going to be very special," Chambers said. "If he makes the same improvement next year that he made from the start of this season to now, he'll make it. He's unbelievable."