By Douglas Fritz
Press Sports Writer
dfritz@johnsoncitypress.com

McKinney earns honors as top player

Science Hill was once again the area’s best baseball team, and Benjamin McKinney was a big part of that success.

The junior pitcher was named the Johnson City Press Super 22 player of the year. The 21st annual team was announced Tuesday.

The Lineup

Player of the year — Benjamin McKinney, Science Hill

Coach of the year — Charlie Baxter, Unicoi County

First team Batting order

RF — Barry VanDelinder, David Crockett, Sr.

2B — Jamie Crawford, Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.

P — Benjamin McKinney, Science Hill, Jr.

3B — Ethan Williams, Unicoi County, Sr.

1B — Chad Shelton, Chuckey-Doak, Sr.

C — Skyler Barnett, Unicoi County, Sr.

SS — Jake Davis, Elizabethton, So.

LF — Clinton Freeman, David Crockett, So.

CF — Lucas Anderson, Science Hill, Sr.

Pitching rotation

Benjamin McKinney, Science Hill, Jr.

Tristan Archer, Sullivan South, Jr.

Chris Dunbar, Elizabethton, Jr.

Daniel Norris, Science Hill, Fr.

Setup—Jon Krebs, Tennessee High, Jr.

Closer—Seth Whitson, Unicoi County, So.

McKinney, who helped Science Hill reach the Class AAA state tournament for the third straight season — and post its second straight third-place finish — heads the pitching staff and is also in the heart of the honorary batting order.

Leading off is David Crockett’s Barry VanDelinder, and he’s followed in the order by Dobyns-Bennett’s Jamie Crawford, McKinney, Unicoi County’s Ethan Williams, Chuckey-Doak’s Chad Shelton, Unicoi County’s Skyler Barnett, Elizabethton’s Jake Davis, David Crockett’s Clinton Freeman, and Science Hill’s Lucas Anderson.

The pitching staff is comprised completely of underclassmen. Joining McKinney in the starting rotation are Sullivan South’s Tristan Archer, Elizabethton’s Chris Dunbar, and Science Hill freshman Daniel Norris.

Tennessee High’s Jon Krebs is the setup man, and Unicoi County’s Seth Whitson was picked as the closer.

Leading the way on the second team is Science Hill catcher Lance Reed. He’s joined by Science Hill’s Nathaniel Patterson, Sullivan South’s Seth Johnson, Sullivan Central’s Carl Roberts, David Crockett’s Brandon Massey, Unaka’s Drew Chambers, Daniel Boone’s Caleb Dishner, and University High’s Law Loving.

Coach-of-the-year honors went to Unicoi County’s Charlie Baxter, who edged Science Hill’s Ryan Edwards for the award.

McKinney was one of the area’s most consistent hitters. He finished with a batting average of .515 to go along with four homers and 50 runs batted in.

On the mound, McKinney was tough with a record of 11-2 and an ERA of 1.60.

VanDelinder was a sparkplug for Crockett, which enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent memory. The senior left fielder batted .462 with four homers and 23 RBIs.

Dobyns-Bennett struggled this season, but Crawford did his part. The senior shortstop, who was selected as a second baseman, batted .494 with two homers and 20 RBIs.

Williams was one of the area’s most feared hitters. The senior third baseman blasted 16 homers and drove in 61 runs. As a pitcher, he was very tough with a record of 10-2 and an ERA of 2.59. He struck out 113 batters in 73 innings.

Shelton was the area’s most prolific home run hitter. The senior first baseman finished with 19 round-trippers to go along with 49 RBIs and a .424 batting average.

Barnett, an ETSU signee, was one of the area’s best defensive players and also a tough out at the plate. The senior catcher batted .440 with eight homers and 37 RBIs.

Davis burst onto the scene for the Cyclones and batted .506. The sophomore shortstop also hit six homers and drove in 33 runs.

Freeman was yet another bright spot for the Pioneers. The sophomore left fielder batted .406 with 10 homers and 44 RBIs.

A late-season injury slowed Anderson, but he still finished with top-notch numbers. The senior center fielder batted .372 with five homers and 43 RBIs while also compiling a record of 6-1 on the mound and an ERA under 2.00.

Sullivan South battled its way to the sectional round, and Archer played a big role. The junior finished with a record of 6-2 and a Super 22-leading ERA of 0.88.

Dunbar helped the Cyclones earn a share of the Watauga Conference title. The left-handed sophomore was 6-3 with an ERA of 2.19.

Forget the fact it was his first varsity season, Norris was ready. The left-hander finished with a record of 7-0 and an ERA of 1.90. He also racked up a 12-strikeout game in the state tournament.

Krebs kept Tennessee High in the middle of the pack in the tough Big Nine Conference. The junior finished with a record of 5-2 and an ERA of 2.86.

Whitson really came on strong toward the end of the season, finishing with a record of 7-1. The sophomore had an ERA of 1.00, recorded two saves, and struck out 70 batters in 56 innings.

As for Reed, a junior, he batted .370 with 10 doubles, two homers and 22 RBIs.

Patterson put up good numbers at the plate. The junior first baseman, selected in left field, had a .422 batting average to go along with 15 doubles and 24 RBIs.

Johnson was an important factor for the Rebels. The senior shortstop hit .417 and belted four homers.

Sullivan Central didn’t have a very good record, but Roberts did his part. The junior shortstop, chosen at second base, batted .487 with five homers and 23 RBIs.

Massey was a powerful force for the Pioneers. The junior third baseman hit 12 homers and drove in 39 runs while batting .319.

Chambers, a sophomore, helped the Rangers stand up against a tough schedule. He batted .483 with four homers and 40 RBIs.

Dishner, a senior third baseman who was chosen in center field, helped the Trailblazers stay competitive in the Big Nine. He batted .369 on the season and totaled 10 doubles.

University High made it to the sectional round, and Law Loving was a big part of that run. The senior catcher was selected to the team as a right fielder.

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