LEXINGTON, Ohio — He batted an area-best .521, knocked in 27 runs and was Lexington’s most reliable pitcher, but what separated Richland Source Player of the Year Even Lee from his peers this spring wasn’t statistically measurable.
“He’s the best leader to come through here in my 10 years here,” Lexington coach Kevin Morrow said early in the season. “He really looks after the younger guys and tries to develop them. He’s an extension of our coaching staff.”
The Kent State-bound Lee was one of the lone holdovers from last year. He powered the Minutemen to a share of the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship, including a sweep of OCC co-champ Madison.
“He’s not only a great player, he’s a great leader for them,” Madison coach Doug Rickert said. “He’s the best player in our league.”
The shortstop, who scored 27 runs, was selected the Ohio Cardinal Conference and District 9 Player of the Year in Division II. He was an All-Ohio first team pick.
“Being a senior, a lot of the younger guys look up to me,” Lee said. “I try to be an on-field coach.”
Lee is joined in the middle of the All-Richland Source infield by Lex teammate Josh Verspoor. The senior second baseman batted .429 and committed just one error. He was a District 9 and Ohio Cardinal Conference first team pick.
Behind the plate is Clear Fork’s Luke Clark. The sophomore batted .475 with 24 runs batted in. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference and District 9 first team selection.
The first baseman is Madison junior Zane Harris. The Wright State recruit batted a team-best .424 with three home runs and 31 runs batted in. He was selected to the District 9 and Ohio Cardinal Conference first teams.
Crestview’s Connor Hickey is the third baseman after batting .472 with 22 RBIs. The senior was an All-Ohio honorable mention selection in Division III and a District 9 first team pick.
Crestline senior Austin Norwood is the designated hitter after batting .444 with two home runs and 25 RBIs. Norwood was an All-Ohio second team selection in Division IV.
Nate Coffman, Norwood Crestline teammate, is the utility player. The senior slugger was a catcher, pitcher and first baseman and joined Norwood on the All-Ohio second team. He batted .486 with an area-best 37 runs batted in.
The outfield is anchored by Madison’s Hunter Ackerman, an All-Ohio second team selection in Division I. The senior, who will play at Grace (Ind.) College, batted .412 and scored an area-best 40 runs from his leadoff spot.
Clear Fork’s Thomas Staab, the son of Colts’ coach Rusty Staab, joins Ackerman in the outfield after a sensational freshman season. The switch-hitting speedster batted .421 with 30 runs scored and an area-best 30 stolen bases. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference first team pick and a District 9 second team selection in Division II.
Senior Josh Smith was a stalwart in the heart of Madison’s lineup. The left hander batted .368 with 24 RBIs. He was an Ohio Cardinal Conference and District 9 second team selection in Division I.
Senior Nick Adams offered some protection for Lee in the heart of Lexington’s lineup. Adams knocked in 22 runs and was an Ohio Cardinal Conference second team pick. Adams was an hnorable mention selection in District 9.
The Richland Source Pitcher of the Year is Ontario ace Paul Homan. The senior right-hander led the area with seven wins and had a 1.49 earned run average with 52 strikeouts. Homan was an All-Ohio first team pick as a position player after batting .465.
Ontario’s Mason Goodwin joins Homan on the All-Richland Source pitching staff. Goodwin had five wins with a 2.45 ERA and 44 strikeouts. He was a District 9 second team pick in Division II.
Madison’s Michael Penney didn’t have the type of year he did last spring when he was the Richland Source Pitcher of the Year, but the junior was still pretty good. He tied for the team lead with four wins and was second in the area with 64 strikeouts. He was at his best in the district championship game against Findlay, striking out 10 in nine innings in a no decision.
Madison’s Alec Keen is the Richland Source closer. The senior and Madison’s everyday shortstop had a 2.74 ERA and batted .404. Keen was the pitcher of record as Madison won its first district crown since 2002. He worked two innings in relief of Penney in the district championship game, striking out three. He was the hard-luck loser in the Rams’ 4-1 loss to Toledo St. Francis in the regional semifinals.
