By Stephen Smoot
Although the memory of games played on the diamond are starting to give way to speculations of how schools will soon fare on the gridiron, volleyball court, and cross country circuit, the Potomac Valley Conference completed its last order of business for the school year and released its baseball and softball all-conference squads.
Pendleton County, who went 14 and 10 overall and 10-7 in the region, placed three on the all-conference squad, Clayton Kisamore, James Vincell, and Chase Owens.
Kisamore led the team in on base percentage with .506, 14 stolen bases, and a solid earned run average of 3.43. He also hit for a batting average of .397 and scored 29 runs while getting 27 hits, all team leading statistics. As Sam Yokum, head baseball coach, describes, “Clayton was a tremendous leader by example,” and added that “he had tremendous character off the field.”
Vincell earned a spot due to his exceptional hitting and also steady play behind the plate at catcher. “James is a little bit more of a vocal leader. In your catcher, you want that,” Yokum explained. Vincell led the team in batting average at .422, fielding percentage at .961, runs batted in with 36, and also led the team in doubles and triples. “As a competitor, he helped us in a number of ways,” Yokum stated.
“With Chase,” Yokum said, “you didn’t have as vocal of leadership as a freshman. But he became a young man we could depend on in a number of different positions.” The coach added that Owens became dependable in pressure packed positions, such as shortstop and pitcher. Owens was second on the team with stolen bases, grabbing seven. He also boasted a 4.40 ERA, second on the team, and scored 23 runs while getting 22 hits.
Overall, Yokum praised his team’s leaders, saying that “you didn’t have to worry about drama and issues. They’d be there every day to compete.”
Petersburg, whose team made a deep run in the state tournament, had the player of the year in Bumby Van Meter. Peyton Tingler and Ethan Taylor also were named from the Vikings. East Hardy placed Evan and Mason Hamilton, as well as Shayne Sisler. Mason Kisamore represented Tucker County and Kaden Moore was named from Tygarts Valley.
Mike Landis, the Viking coach, was named coach of the year.
In softball, the Wildcats placed two on the all-conference list, Avery Townsend, and Baylee Beachler. Townsend led the team in eight statistical categories, including batting average (.457), on base percentage (.516), home runs (five), stolen bases (27), runs (41), hits (37), RBIs (22), slugging percentage (.987), and triples (11). In the same fashion as baseball Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, Townsend combined speed and power, which made her double trouble from the leadoff position.
Beachler led the team in doubles with 11, had a .425 on base percentage, scored 23 runs, and had 20 RBIs. She also served as a starting pitcher for the Wildcats and always brings ferocity to every sport she plays, whether it be volleyball, basketball, or the softball diamond.
The PVC has not yet selected a player or coach of the year. East Hardy placed Emma Heisman and Gabbreanna Miller. Petersburg is represented by Samantha Colaw, Braylee Corbin, Ella Chew, and Addie Kitzmiller. Paige Shaffer and Kate Simmons were named from Tucker County.
(All statistics were drawn from Max Preps.)
