Four Bobcats Named TCS/CE Baseball All-Stars, Miller A First Teamer (07/05/2018)

(By CSZ Sports Writer Kenn Staub)  Four Clarion baseball players were selected as Tri-County Sunday/Courier Express (TCS/CE) All-Stars per the roster released in the Jefferson County newspaper’s Sunday, July 1 edition. Spencer Miller received First Team honors, with Cam Craig, Sterling Connor, and Skylar Rhoades earning spots on the Second Team.

Spencer Miller

For the second consecutive season, Miller, the Bobcats starting shortstop, was named to the TCS/CE First Team as an infielder. Miller had an outstanding senior season for the Bobcats, leading the team in multiple, statistical categories for the regular season, including: batting average (.464), hits (26), doubles (7), runs scored (23), on-base percentage (.545), slugging percentage (.589), and steals (15). He batted in eight runs from his lead-off stop. Miller was the recipient of the Silver Slugger Award (highest batting average) and Roberto Clemente Award (best teammate/role model) at Clarion’s end-of-season banquet. Additionally, he was named Team MVP. Miller was earlier selected to the 2018 All-KSAC First Team.

Cam Craig

Craig earned recognition as a pitcher on the TCS/CE Second Team. Clarion’s ace made nine appearances on the mound during the regular season, posting a 5-1 record. The senior had an ERA of 1.71 and struck out 25 in this 36.2 innings of work. He earned the Bobcat’s Cy Young Award (best pitcher). Conner was named to the 2018 All-KSAC Third Team.

Sterling Conner

Conner made the TCS/CE Second Team at catcher. The senior backstop finished the regular season with a .367 batting average, .490 slugging percentage, and .530 on-base percentage. He drove in 15 runs, scored 18, and was good for nine stolen bases. Defensively, he caught two stealing. Conner, who had the team’s only home run, received the Bobcat’s Hank Aaron Award. He was also the co-recipient of Clarion’s Gold Glove Award. Conner was a 2018 All-KSAC Second Teamer.

Skylar Rhoades

Rhoades was named to the TCS/CE Second Team as an outfielder. The sophomore centerfielder and clean-up hitter had a .388 batting average, .531 slugging percentage, and .426 on-base percentage. He hit the team’s only triples of the season (two) and stole five bases. Rhoades was earlier recognized during the 2018 postseason with All-KSAC First Team honors.

(statistics from MaxPreps and GameChanger [Clarion Bobcats], photographs by Christie Datko)