The Mount Vernon News sports department’s 33rd ATHLETE OF THE WEEK nominations continue the established procedure of spotlighting student-athletes’ skills and performances on the fields and courts of action.
Based on performances, we ask ADs, coaches and the community to nominate one boy and one girl from their athletic programs to compete against other schools’ nominations. We ask for a recap of their worthy performances and a picture. Please send your nominations to me, Mike Blake, MVN Sports Editor, at mike.blake@mountvernonnews.com. Make sure YOUR school is represented.
This week we have a pitcher who was perfect and a batter who was nearly perfect and who came up big all game.
Female ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Emilee Burke
The offense may have been on display in Mount Vernon’s twin 17-0 routs of Mansfield, May 5, but pitching took center circle as Lady Jacket Emilee Burke pitched a perfect game. Burke needed only 59 pitches, 42 of them strikes, to retire all 15 Mansfield batters she faced, striking out eight of them. Burke started the game with two groundouts and a strikeout in the first. She struck out the side in the second and third innings, induced two groundouts and a line out in the fourth, and ended it with a strikeout and two groundouts in the fifth. Her performance was perfect.
Mount Vernon softball coach Ryan Pentz was impressed with Burke’s abilities and her demeanor. “At the beginning of the season, Emilee stepped into an unknown role and we did not know what her role would be. She grabbed onto the opportunity and she continues to improve to the point where she has done an amazing job,” said Pentz. “Her perfect game was exciting to watch, and it epitomized the individual and player she is.”
Pentz added that she is unflappable. “Emilee is a phenomenal person. She does everything with a smile and with composure. She is always calm and approaches everything with calm, relaxed determination and a smile. She is a great person and teammate,” Pentz said.
Male Athlete of the Week
Bryar Householder
East Knox sophomore Bryar Householder has had a strong season, and on May 5, he was a force at the plate against Loudonville, going 4-for-5 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a double. Householder drove in the game’s first run on a one-out single in the first inning, to put EK ahead 1-0. In the fifth, with EK ahead 2-1, Householder doubled in his second run to make it 3-1. In the sixth, he put the Bulldogs in front 6-1 with a single to center, and in the seventh, he nailed another single to center.
For the season, Householder leads the Bulldogs in batting at .493, RBIs with 21, home runs with two and doubles (tied for first) with four. He has only struck out twice in 74 plate appearances. On the mound, Householder has 54 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings, walking 16, with an ERA of 2.84.
East Knox baseball coach Randy Baugher said Householder also plays football for East Knox and hopes to play baseball in college. “Bryar enjoys hunting and the outdoors, and in the summers, he plays travel baseball and works in the landscaping/construction field. He is a true athlete who works hard and is a great kid on and off the field,” Baugher said.
Congratulations on a great week by our ATHLETES of the WEEK Emilee Burke and Bryar Householder, and congratulations to all local athletes for solid efforts.
To all local schools: Send us your athlete nominations for next week and show them and the community how much they mean to their schools.
