The Loudonville baseball team won a conference title this year, and much of it was due to their starting shortstop and pitcher Matt Sprang, who was named the Mid-Buckeye Conference Player of the Year.
Sprang had himself quite the senior season, as he was not only the best player on the Loudonville Redbirds, but also one of the tops in the region. He batted .465 with 25 runs and 10 RBIs this season. He also went 3-5 with a 4.07 ERA and 54 strikeouts.
Coach Matt Rucki was ecstatic about Sprang’s big year, but also knows that he will be sorely missed from the lineup and the locker room.
“He was our most consistent player, played all over the field defensively, and one of our top pitchers as well,” Rucki said. “He earned MBC POY. He’s been a joy to coach these past four years. He was very coachable and willing to do whatever he was asked with 100% effort. He was also an excellent teammate and just a very solid young man.”
Other first teamers included Hunter Polen, Judah Layton and Dilan Wade. Polen and Layton each had 14 RBIs to lead the team's run scoring production. Baylor Weiser and Caden Donaldson were second team All-MBC, and Josh Serrato was an honorable mention for All-MBC. Weiser's 18 runs were good for second on the squad.
Donaldson and Dakota Wright are a pair of sophomores who surprised Rucki by making a major impact, showing a glimpse of what is to come for the young Redbirds. Rucki said they made solid contributions this season and is excited for what they can offer with a year of varsity experience under their belts.
“We’ll need huge jumps from them and our other players with varsity experience to lead the way next season,” Rucki said.
