Three stars named as baseball season ends

Posted

Now that the Johnston High School baseball team’s season has come to a close, the Sun Rise will look back on the players who stood out the most for the Panthers during their campaign. Here are the year’s three stars:

First Star – Korey Fijal

It began and ended with Fijal for the Panthers. The senior ace went 5-2 on the mound with a 2.17 ERA and 30 strikeouts in the regular season according to MaxPreps and even picked up a save along the way. He was also a force at the plate, leading the squad with a .388 batting average and tied for the team lead in hits with 19 to go along with eight RBIs, two doubles and two triples. He occasionally flashed his speed, too, successfully converting six of seven stolen base attempts. Fijal was integral in the Panthers’ final win of the season, pitching a complete game against the best team in Division I – B, North Kingstown, to send Johnston into the playoffs on a positive note. Fijal was the most potent dual threat the Panthers put on the field this season.

Second Star – Steve Pennacchia

Giving Fijal competition for the title of Johnston’s Best (and Most Patient) Hitter is senior captain Pennacchia. He was right behind Fijal with a .380 batting average, but Pennacchia had more RBIs (12) and more doubles (7) than his teammate. He also led the squad with 19 runs scored, a slugging percentage of .560 and 14 free passes, while only fanning three times all regular season. Pennacchia’s patience was an enormous factor in his team-leading .515 on-base percentage. His ability to wait for the right pitch translated into the postseason, where he drew two of the three walks off South Kingstown pitcher Gregory Kay. Pennacchia was a force for Johnston in the three-hole, and his numbers easily make him one of the Panthers’ greatest hitters on the year.

Third Star – Nick Raposo

Junior captain and catcher Raposo, along with Fijal and Pennacchia, was one of just five Panthers to play in all 18 regular season game this year, and he was consistent at the plate during those starts. Raposo batted at a .309 clip with 17 hits, 10 RBIs and one of the team’s two home runs. He showed both patience and hustle as well. He drew eight walks and only struck out three times in 63 plate appearances. Raposo legged out each play as he was able to reach on an error five times, a figure that led the team. He was also never caught stealing, going 5-for-5 on the base paths. With one more year remaining with the Panthers, Raposo is only trending upwards and is on track to be one of their strongest players next season, too.

Runner-up – Luis Nunez (.366 batting average with 15 hits, eight RBIs and four doubles. He was third on the team with a .449 OBP among everyday players.)

Honorable Mention – Emilio Rodriquez (.333 average in 36 at-bats with 12 hits, 13 RBIs and one home run. Among everyday players, he was fourth in OBP at .400)

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here