Morning Journal Players of the Week

By PAUL BARNEY
pbarney@MorningJournal.com

Zach Bowden, North Ridgeville

Colton Buffington, Westlake

Alexis Thomas, Avon Lake

Baseball

Ryan Rock, EC

Last week Elyria Catholic’s Ryan Rock was 14-for-25 at the plate for a staggering .560 batting average. He had two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBIs and 10 runs scored. On the mound, Rock nothced two wins, pitching 13 innings, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out 17. He pitched a complete game, one-hitter against Vermilion.

Softball

Alexis Thomas, AL

In five games last week Alexis Thomas was a pitcher’s worst nightmare, going 13-for-19 at the plate with four doubles, one triple, four home runs, 13 RBIs and 10 runs scored. Against Oberlin in the first round of the John B. Firestone Invitational, she was a perfect 4-for-4 with three doubles, a triple and five RBIs in the Shoregals’ 19-0 win. In the championship game against Black River, Thomas was also 4-for-4 with a double, home run and three RBIs in a 9-3 win.

Boys track

Zack Bowden, NR

At the 34th Annual Warrior Relays, Zack Bowden ran the final leg of the 4x200 and Sprint Medley — both won by North Ridgville — in helping the Rangers to a first-place finish. Their time in the sprint medley (1:35.9) broke a meet record, which was originally set by Brunswick in 1984. Bowden was also part of the 4x100 relay-winning team.

Girls track

Desiree Ray, Clearview

At last week’s quad meet — hosted by Clearview — it was the Clippers’ Desiree Ray who helped her team hold off Columbia, 65-60, for the team win. Ray won the 100 (12.9) and the 200 (26.2) while being on the winning 400 and 800 relay teams. Ray qualified for the regionals in the 200 last year and added the 100 this year.

Tennis

Colton Buffington, Westlake

In team wins against Brecksville-Broadview Heights and Green, Colton Buffington won both his singles matches at the top flight by sweeping all four sets, 6-0, receiving the Golden Ball Award twice. In Westlake’s loss to St. John Toledo on Sunday, Buffington posted another win at the top singles flight, 6-0, 6-1.



Twitter: @PaulBarney18

Last Updated: 4/26/2012 11:40:34 PM EST

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