Science Hill's McKinney Chosen As All-NET Baseball Player Of The Year

Ben McKinney was dominant. Ben McKinney was a force. And Ben McKinney was nearly untouchable.

By: | TriCities.com
Published: June 21, 2008

And Ben McKinney was nearly untouchable.

The Science Hill junior posted an 11-2 record this season and a slim 2.00 earned-run average, and he hit .486 with 48 RBIs and 12 doubles for a Hilltoppers squad that finished 35-7 and came one game away from reaching the Class AAA state championship.

For his efforts, McKinney has been named the Herald Courier’s All-Northeast Tennessee player of the year.

McKinney quickly re-directed the praise towards his Science Hill teammates, though.

“It was pretty surprising, because we had a bunch of seniors [from] last year that we lost. And, of course, we had a new coach,” McKinney said. “I think a bunch of people stepped up and played really good.”

According to McKinney, his success on the mound was not a surprise. But his locked-in presence at the plate was.

“I hit a lot better than I was expecting to,” McKinney said. “Pitching, I just went out there and won the games we needed to win.”

McKinney attributed his newly-found hitting stroke to hard work during the offseason and a strong base of confidence.

Confidence was also a word that McKinney used to describe the play of his fellow Hilltoppers.

“I didn’t feel like I had to do everything by myself,” McKinney said. “I just went out there and relaxed.”

And while Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards called McKinney a “great kid,” McKinney was equally impressed with his first-year coach.

“He stepped in this season … and it went a lot better than I think everybody expected,” McKinney said. “The guys really got to know him really fast and he did a great job.”

btsmith@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2569

All-Northeast Tennessee Baseball Team

Player of the Year – Ben McKinney, Science Hill, Jr.
Coach of the Year – Ryan Edwards, Science Hill

First Team
First base – Barry VanDelinder, David Crockett, Sr.
Infield – Cody Hyden, Sullivan Central, Jr.
Shortstop – Jamie Crawford, Dobyns-Bennett, Jr.
Third base – Brandon Massey, David Crockett, Jr.
Outfield – Lucas Anderson, Science Hill, Sr.
Outfield – Caleb Mancuso, Science Hill, Jr.
Outfield – Clint Freeman, David Crockett, So.
Utility – Nathaniel Patterson, Science Hill, Jr.
Pitcher – Daniel Norris, Science Hill, Fr.
Catcher – Tyler Hutson, Volunteer, Jr.

Second Team
Infield – Carl Roberts, Sullivan Central, Jr.
Infield – Caleb Dishner, Daniel Boone, Sr.
Infield – Seth Johnson, Sullivan South, Sr.
Infield – Jarrod Payne, Tennessee High, Jr.
Outfield – Storm Ketron, Tennessee High, Sr.
Outfield – Tyler Ball, Sullivan South
Pitcher – Tristan Archer, Sullivan South, Jr.
Catcher – Ben Daniels, Sullivan South, Sr.