Rooker named Banner Graphic Player of the Year
By JARED JERNAGAN
Sports Editor
After a season that saw him lead the county in nearly every major offensive category, North Putnam senior shortstop Kyle Rooker was an obvious choice for the 2008 Putnam County Baseball Player of the Year.
Rooker batted an astounding .590, while slugging 1.319. He also led the county in hits (49), home runs (13), RBIs (39), runs scored (42) and triples (8). Rooker also doubled nine times, got 24 walks and stole 14 bases.
The senior was also a key relief pitcher for the Cougars, as he was 1-1 with two saves on the season. In eight appearances, he allowed a 4.20 ERA while striking out eight batters.
Rooker is joined by four teammates on the All-County team in fellow seniors Jordan Berry and J.T. Francies, and junior Griffen Dahlstrom.
In his senior year, Berry made a big switch from the Cougars' primary catcher to their No. 1 starting pitcher. The results were outstanding, as Berry allowed just a 2.18 ERA on his way to an 11-1 record. He struck out 92 batters in 61 innings pitched.
At the plate, Berry also did his share of damage, as he had a .421 average while picking up 32 hits, 11 doubles, 36 RBIs, 36 runs and six homers.
Francies anchored the Cougar outfield from center and also anchored the lineup from the leadoff position. He batted .343, picking up 36 hits, seven doubles, three triples and a homer. The senior also scored 35 runs while driving in 16.
Dahlstrom spent his junior season splitting time between pitcher, catcher and several infield positions. At the plate, he batted .518 with 43 hits, 20 doubles and six home runs. He also drove in 35 runs while scoring 35 of his own. He was third on the team with 16 steals.
South Putnam put three players on the All-County squad in Noah Boswell, Adam Hammond and Cameron Chestnut.
Boswell, like Berry, made a switch from catcher to pitcher in 2008. On the mound, the junior had a 6.43 ERA and a 5-4 record. He struck out 100 batters in only 56 innings of work. At the plate, he compiled a .392 average while hitting seven home runs and five doubles. He drove in 32 runs and scored 22.
In his senior season, second baseman Hammond batted .366 with five doubles and three home runs. He scored 29 runs while driving in 17.
From the leadoff position, Chestnut led the Eagles with a .457 average, 43 hits and 10 doubles. The sophomore also collected 36 runs scored and 28 RBIs.
Representing Greencastle on the team are junior Kyle Nobles and seniors Kendall Faust and Jeremy Hayden.
Nobles led the team with a .458 average, 24 RBIs, 22 runs scored, 10 doubles and two home runs. On the mound, the junior compiled 2.26 ERA while going 2-4. He struck out 68 batters in 43 innings of work.
Faust batted .351 for GHS, picking up 27 hits, 13 RBIs and scored 15 runs. In 21 innings pitched, the senior compiled a 2.95 ERA whiles striking out 20.
Hayden was second to Nobles on the team with a .431 average. He had 23 hits, four doubles, a home run, 13 RBIs and 19 runs scored.