IMPACT PLAYERS (Semifinal round)
Brandon Kinneman, West York: Joey Prego might have supplanted his teammate as West York's No. 1 starting pitcher, but it's hard to find a more versatile or competitive player than Kinneman. A great second option during West York's state championship run a season ago – Kinneman and Prego took a backseat to 14-0 Kaden Hepler, now at Winthrop – the Bulldogs corner infielder also brings a knack for making the big play. Remember, Kinneman plated three runs in that 9-6 PIAA-clinching win over Lampeter-Strasburg.
Deon Stafford, Lower Dauphin: We're betting that all baseball coaches will tell you that it's impossible to win consistently without a smart, capable guy behind the dish. Stafford is that guy for the Falcons. He's become part leader, part psychiatrist and part run-producer, all within three feet of the plate. And there's a reason by skipper Ken Kulina has Stafford sitting fourth in the batting order, too. The junior ranks among the team leaders in average, runs and RBIs.
Miguel Torres, McCaskey: After the Red Tornado swept over Hempfield and Spring Grove in successive postseason games, no one is talking about that 16-seed anymore. Shortstop Torres has done his part, shoring up a defense that plagued McCaskey at time during the early stages of the season. And Dave Hinnenkamp's leader as done his best to highlight one of McCaskey's strengths, team speed. Aside from his .400 average and 25 RBIs, Torres has ripped eight doubles and swiped 14 bags.
Matt Wright, Lampeter-Strasburg: A handful of Pioneers do qualify as impact players, but tagging the shortstop was a no brainer. Wright is one of disruptive forces that applies continuous pressure near the top of the line-up. Wright is hitting .443 with seven extra-base hits and shares the L-S team lead with 31 hits and 15 stolen bases. He's also posted 24 runs. It was Wright's 3-for-4, three-run performance that helped shutdown West Perry's season last Thursday at Wenger Field.
Ryan Ricci, Greencastle-Antrim: You might be surprised that Ricci's overall numbers don't exactly jump off the page. That said, if Blue Devils skipper Eric Shaner sees a tough assignment on the horizon, chances are the junior right-hander will get the call. Ricci stands at 4-1 following G-A's first postseason win last week, adding six strikeouts along the way. There's a good chance G-A walks into Tuesday's semifinal scrum against West York with Ricci on the mound.
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