Brownstown sectional baseball champions recognized

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Tribune staff reports

BROWNSTOWN

Throughout his four years of baseball at Brownstown Central High School, Zach McCory left his mark.

He set a school record with 65 assists this past season, and he finished his career with school records in hits (123), doubles (35) and assists (175).

Along with helping Brownstown win its first baseball sectional title since 1982, the Braves senior earned all-Mid-Southern Conference honors and received the team’s leading hitter award.

And for the third year in a row, his teammates selected him as the team’s most valuable player.

Braves coach John Lawson said McCory is the program’s only three-time MVP.

“Zach had a tremendous season as well as a tremendous career,” Lawson said.

“He is a solid all-around player and made a lot of contributions in many ways. His enthusiasm for the game always showed and contributed to his success and the success of our team. He was an easy player to coach, always positive and receptive, and he was a good teammate on the field and in the dugout.”

Lawson presented several other awards during the team’s awards program June 25 in the high school cafeteria.

Senior Austin Green received the leading pitcher award, junior Ty Maxie was named outstanding defensive player, and junior Devin Stuckwisch received the mental attitude award.

Green joined McCory on the all-MSC list, while seniors Cole Brock and Tyler Lawson earned all-conference honorable mention. Lawson also received academic all-state honors.

Other school records set were by Lawson with a 1.41 earned-run average for his career, and by the team with a .959 fielding percentage this past season.

Also, managers Abby Brown, Laura Pence and Cassidy Sawyer received their letter jackets.

The Braves finished the season with a 22-6 record, including 19-5 in the regular season and 6-3 in the MSC.

They defeated Salem 8-4, Scottsburg 5-3 and Class 3A No. 2 Silver Creek 6-3 to win the North Harrison Sectional. Then in the Southridge Regional, the Braves fell to Evansville Memorial 7-0.

“It was a great year and a very fun and fulfilling year, as well,” coach Lawson said. “The sectional championship is a capstone to a great career by our seniors and is something that each player on the team can enjoy and be proud of for many years to come.”

The seniors on the team were McCory, Lawson, Green, Brock and Zech Wesley.

“This year’s senior class was a great group that contributed to our success in a number of ways,” coach Lawson said. “Not only did they exhibit a lot of baseball skill and talent, but they also were great leaders that set the tone with their approach to the game and practices.

“Not always the most vocal in nature, they led by example and as a group showed a lot of maturity on and off the field. They were good students, as well, with a combined GPA of over 3.6,” he added. “This group is special not only because they led us to a sectional championship, but to me personally, I have coached most of them and been involved with them since they began playing the game as young kids. They will be truly missed.”

The junior varsity baseball team also was recognized during the program. That squad finished with a 6-8 record.

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