Greenbacks dominate all-MSAA baseball list

The Pratt High School baseball Greenbacks just completed another outstanding season. The Greenbacks finished with a record of 18-5 and were ranked as high as No. 4 in Class 4A. PHS finished second to Scott City in the MSAA with a 5-3 record.

With the postseason now over, it wasn’t a question of if they would have any players on the All-Mid-States Athletic Association All-league team, but how many. To nobody’s surprise, eight Greenbacks were named to the team, voted on by the league’s head coaches. Those selected are Skylar Angood, Jamie Hitt, Justin Schneider, Austin Baird, Brad Richardson, Brady Batman, Jake Siroky and BJ Dean.

All-MSAA Selections

Skylar Angood, Sr., shortstop – Angood was recently selected as the Class 4A Player of the Year by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches; he hit .549 for the season on 45 hits including 10 home runs; he drove in 50 runs and scored 44 in 23 games; he signed to play baseball at Pratt Community College.

“Skylar had a great year. He was a leader for us and I hope his best days are ahead of him,” said PHS head coach Pat Stivers.

Jamie Hitt, Sr., catcher – Hit had a very good offensive season hitting .464; he hit 10 doubles, scored 42 runs and knocked in 22 more; he walked 11 times and was hit eight times; did a good job of working with the pitchers and throwing out base runners.

“Jamie did a great job as a catcher and also played some third base and pitched a few innings,” Stivers said. “He hit in the two-hole and he did a great job of getting on base in front and Richardson and Angood.”

Justin Schneider, Sr., 1B – Schneider hit .411 for the year; he hit seven doubles, drove in 26 runs and scored 21.

“He would have had an even better year if he hadn’t been hurt late in the year,” Stivers said. “The great thing about him is he kept everyone loose. He hit for a high average and played a great first base.”

Austin Baird, Sr., 2B – Baird batted .423; he walked 22 times, knocked in 19 and scored 25 runs.

“Austin hit for a high average and was solid in the field at second, the outfield, and he pitched a little as well,” Stivers said.

Brad Richardson, Sr., 3B – Brad had a very good year at the plate and in the field; he batted .470 with 13 doubles, 26 RBIs and 35 runs scored; he has signed to play baseball at Pratt Community College.

“Brad had a great year and a great career,” Stivers said. “He threw a lot of innings, played solid defensively and was a very good offensive player.”

Brady Batman, Sr., OF – Brady hit .416 from the leadoff spot; he also walked 17 times and scored 38 runs; he hit 11 doubles and drove in 17 more; has signed to play baseball at Pratt Community College.

“Brady did a good job of getting on base from his leadoff spot,” Stivers said. “He had a good average and was on base a lot. He was solid in the outfield and went 5-2 on the mound.”

Jake Siroky, Jr., DH – Siroky hit .365 on the season; the junior hit five doubles, scored 18 runs and drove in 12.

“Jake had another solid year,” Stivers said. “He was an all-league catcher as a sophomore. He gave us some power in the middle of the lineup. He will be a key part of next season’s success.”

BJ Dean, Soph., Utility – As a sophomore, Dean batted .493 with 33 hits including three home runs and seven doubles; he drove in 34 runs and scored 28 more; became one of the top PHS pitchers down the stretch.

“BJ was solid all season long,” Stivers said. “He hit for a high average and was solid in the field at second, third, and in the outfield. He was extremely tough on the mound and gave us solid innings when we needed them.”