MANSFIELD — The Richland Source Co-Players of the Year would make a dream double-play combination among our diamond gems.
Ashland University-bound shortstop Austin Eifrid of Lexington to Division II All-Ohio first team second baseman Cal Rickert of Madison.
“It would be a great combo,” Lexington coach Kevin Morrow said. “They’re both very good players.
“Austin has tremendous quickness and a great arm and Cal has tremendous power for his size.”
Rickert and Eifrid finished second and third, respectively, in balloting for the District 9 Player of the Year. Both were Ohio Cardinal Conference first team selections as well.
Rickert batted .409 during the regular season with 17 stolen bases.
“Cal is a hard worker,” said his father and Madison coach Doug Rickert. “It’s not always easy playing for your dad, but he is a coachable kid.”
Eifrid batted .352 during the regular season and scored a team-high 23 runs, helping the Minutemen reach the Division II regional championship game — Lex’s second straight trip to the regional.
“I think he’s going to have a tremendous career at Ashland University because of his athleticism,” Morrow said. “He is only going to get bigger and stronger.”
Here’s a look at the rest of the All-Richland Source team:
Catcher: Clear Fork’s Luke Clark was a first team pick in District 9 and was selected for the Mizuno Senior All-Star Series. The batted .422, helping the Colts reach the Division III Final Four for a second straight year.
First Base: Hillsdale’s Trey Williams was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division IV. The left-handed junior batted .446 with 22 runs batted in.
Third Base: Galion’s Garrett Kuns was a District 9 first team pick and an All-Ohio second team selection. The senior batted .434 with 25 runs batted in and was selected to play in the Mizuno Senior All-Star Series.
Utility: Ontario’s Avery Fisher earned a spot on the District 9 first team and the All-Ohio second team in Division II. The sophomore batted .449 with 17 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
Outfield: Clear Fork’s Thomas Staab was batting an area-best .571 before missing about three weeks with an injury. He returned in time to help the Colts win a second straight regional crown. The switch-hitting junior was an Ohio Cardinal Conference second team selection.
Outfield: Hillsdale’s Jay Luikart batted .461 with four home runs and 26 runs batted in. The sophomore was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division IV.
Outfield: Crestline’s J.R. Wolfe batted .515 with 25 runs batted in and 26 stolen bases. The senior was a District 9 first team pick and an All-Ohio first team selection as a utility player. He was selected for the Mizuno Senior All-Star Series.
Outfield: Galion’s Mac Spears was a Division III All-Ohio second team selection as a utility player after batting .333 with 17 RBIs.
Designated Hitter: Plymouth’s Seth Bailey batted .556 with 32 RBIs. The junior was a District 9 and Firelands Conference first team selection and a Division IV All-Ohio second team pick at catcher.
