The Mount Vernon Baseball team had a highly successful season on the diamond, taking an Ohio Cardinal Conference title and hitting the 20 win mark.
The Yellow Jackets (20-5, 12-2) had OCC Coach of the Year Nate Hunt as the skipper, and were also blessed to have the conference’s top player in senior Konner Daughriety. Daughriety was also first team All-Ohio this season. But the rest of the supporting cast also put up some big numbers and were recognized for various postseason awards.
Daughriety (SS/P), Ezra Kurek (C) and Kayden Packard (3B/P) were first team All-OCC, with Daughriety and Kurek also named first team All-District. Packard was a second teamer in the district awards.
Daughriety had a 1.235 ERA and had 50 strikeouts to lead the team on the mound, going 5-1 over seven starts and 34 innings. The two-way star belted six homers, and 11 doubles, with a team high 36 hits and 35 runs. His .468 batting average and 1.413 OPS (.543 OBP, .870 slugging) were also tops on the squad.
Kurek had a strong junior year as the team’s catcher, batting .378 with an OPS of 1.032. He had a homer and 22 RBIs, and led the team with 14 walks.
Packard was on top of his game during his junior season, hitting .426 with a homer and 24 RBIs. He had an OPS of 1.201, with a .539 OBP and a slugging percentage of .662.
Jonny Askew and Zac Clow were second team All-OCC, and Clow was also honorable mention for the All-District team.
Askew batted .371 with an OPS of .939, two doubles, two triples and 22 RBIs. His 22 singles were most on the team. Clow, a junior, batted .461 and had an OPS of 1.09 (.410 OBP, .590 slugging), while smashing a team high 12 doubles. He scored 27 times, good for second on the team.
Jagger Dohn was an honorable mention for All-District and All-CC, and Isaiah Columber was honorable mention All-OCC. The two juniors were integral to the team’s success, and will be key parts of the team next season. Dohn batted .297 and Columber hit .269 on the year.
Hunt also listed off his team’s season awards that he handed out. Two Yellow Jackets came away with Cy Young honors: Packard and Dohn.
Packard was not only a force at the plate, but he was one of the team’s top pitchers with a 6-0 record, 1.629 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 38 and two-thirds innings. Dohn’s junior season on the mound was also one to behold, as he went 5-0 with a 1.848 ERA and 36 strikeouts. He led the team in innings at 41 and two-thirds. The scary thing for opponents is that this duo will be back next year for their senior year, providing a one-two punch to be reckoned with.
Gold Gloves went to Askew in the outfield and Kurek for the infielders. Daughriety was the Silver Slugger, with Caden Theibert receiving the M.A.G.I.C. Award, and Clow coming away with the T.E.A.M. award.
