The Worth County Rams baseball program held their annual post-season awards banquet last Monday evening at Unity Baptist Church.
Before the varsity players were introduced, Coach Smith recounted a trying season that began with rain, missed practiced, rescheduled games, and an early 1-6 record. But, the Rams battled back to finish the season with an 11-15 overall record and earn a spot in the playoffs. Defensively, Smith says his 2013 team had one of the best fielding percentages he has seen.
With a .402 batting average on the year, Jonathan Cirullo was awarded for holding the highest average on the team. Meanwhile, with a .613 slugging percentage including a pair of home runs, three triples, six doubles, and 28 RBIs, Denzel Gowdy was given the team’s slugger award. Gowdy was also awarded with a trophy for holding the highest on base percentage in 2013 after reaching first over 50% of the time.
The gold glove award was given to Keith Apperson, while senior Eli Reddell was named best pitcher. Two best base runners for the game were named including Cody Reddell and Johathan Cirullo, and brothers Eli Reddell and Cody Reddell were named best utility players.
The most improved player of the year was also awarded to two Ram seniors: Chance Bennett and Tanner Watkins. And, the 2013 Ram Tough award was handed to Austin Dorough who struggled with illness throughout the year, but has proven his devotion to the Worth baseball program. According to Coach Smith, “Austin was an inspiration to us all with the way he has battled, and what he has gone through in this past year.”
The Ram Award is given to the player who sacrifices everything for the greater good of the team. This year, the award was offered to Tanner Watkins. And, Jonathan Cirullo was recognized for joining the .400 club with a .402 batting average and 35 hits on the season. This is the third highest number of hits in a single season in at least 13 years of Rams baseball. Denzel Gowdy was named to the .350 club with a .373 batting average and 28 hits on the year, and Gowdy was also recognized for scoring the most runs on the year with a total of 122.
Finally, the Rams head coach offered plaques to his four senior athletes: Tanner Watkins, Eli Reddell, Chance Bennett, and Thomas Ausby.
Among the JV players, Tripp Goff was named best hitter, Cole Melton was named best pitcher, Reece Bozeman earned the gold glove award for the team, and Chandler Brooks earned the Ram Award among his junior varsity teammates. The award for best JV base runner went to Shelby Cox, and the award for most improved player on the JV team was given to Tucker Johnson.
