HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Bentley Tapped As Southwest Virginia Player of the Year

Cody Bentley had one mission in mind when the 2008 baseball season began.

The J.J. Kelly High School senior set his sights on a Virginia High School League Group A state title and was bound and determined not to let anything stand in the way of his team attaining that goal.

“We just stayed focused on what we had to do,” Bentley said. “[J.J. Kelly coach David Wyrick] told us just to focus on the main goal and we did it. It was just a total team effort.”

Bentley spearheaded that effort and as a result earned Bristol Herald Courier Southwest Virginia player of the year honors.

Bentley put up some gaudy statistics en route to leading the Indians to their ninth state title in school history. He compiled a
team-high batting average of .484 (44-for-91), connected for five home runs and had 33 RBIs. He also stole 10 bases, doubled 14 times and struck out just five times the entire season.

On the mound, he was 7-0 with a 3.08 ERA and struck out 71 batters in 52 1/3 innings of work.

Plus, it was in the big games where Bentley flourished the most.

In the state quarterfinals, he tossed a one-hitter and struck out nine as Kelly collected a 3-0 road victory over Region C champion Glenvar. Oh yeah, he also did it in the midst of a thunderstorm.

In the state semifinals, Bentley reached base in all five of his plate appearances as the Indians crushed Luray, 15-1. One day later in the state finals, Bentley drove in three runs as Kelly rallied for a 14-9 victory over Essex and clinched the state title.

He also pitched the final inning, striking out the final batter of the game and setting off an emotional celebration.
“It’s a players’ dream to be out there in the last inning,” Bentley said. “To be the guy that strikes the last guy out. But again that whole game was a team effort. All of us — every single one of us — contributed.”

Kelly actually trailed 9-5 after four innings in the state finals, before scoring nine unanswered runs to close out the game and clinch the state crown.
“Since we were freshmen, Coach Wyrick had ‘Believe’ on the back of our t-shirts,” Bentley said. “I never really understood that until our last game. We could have just fell over and quit. Our goal was to win it and we were able to do it.”

For Bentley, a bright future still lies ahead. He will continue his career at East Tennessee State University.

Meanwhile, he leaves J.J. Kelly with his name added to the long list of stars that the Indians have produced over the years.
“We were always told to leave our legacy at the school,” Bentley said. “They said after you leave here, know that you did everything you could to help this team and program. I think all five of us seniors did that.”

And by doing so, Bentley accomplished his mission.
thayes@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2570

Note: For the complete All-Southwest Virginia team, please read Wednesday's edition of the Bristol Herald Courier.

The following is a look at the top Bristol Herald Courier All-Southwest Virginia winners (since 1993)
2008 —Cody Bentley, J.J. Kelly (Player); Mark Francisco, Abingdon (Coach)
2007— Jordan Barnett, Richlands (Player); Larry Cannon, John Battle (Coach)
2006—Trey Smith, George Wythe (Player); David Wyrick, J.J. Kelly (Coach)
2005—Nate Clark, Gate City (Player); J.W. Salyers, Castlewood (Coach)
2004—Jason Steel, Gate City (Player); Casey Herald, Tazewell (Pitcher); Shannon Carter, Gate City (Coach)
2003—C.J. Lee, Virginia High (Player); Casey Herald, Tazewell (Pitcher); Stan Rogers, Gate City (Coach)
2002—Chad Longworth, J.J. Kelly (Player); David Lambert, John Battle (Coach)
2001—Heath Miller, Honaker (Player); Jimmy King, John Battle (Coach)
2000—Justin Branson, Virginia High (Player); Jimmy King, John Battle (Coach)
1999—Jimmy Gobble, John Battle (Player); Doc Adams, Lebanon (Coach)
1998—Ryan Adkins, J.J. Kelly (Player); Doc Adams, Lebanon (Coach)
1997—Nic Lively, Virginia High (Player); Mack Shupe, J.J. Kelly (Coach)
1996—Todd Zirkle, Powell Valley (Player); Mark Daniels, Virginia High (Coach)
1995—Shannon Carter, Gate City (Player); Steve Hubbard, Coeburn (Coach)
1994—Denny Wagner, Castlewood (Player); Stan Rogers, Gate City (Coach)
1993—Shawn Fouch, Virginia High (Player); Eddie Icenhour, Virginia High (Coach)