Clarion Area Bobcat Baseball Boosters Honor The 2023 State Champions With Awards Banquet/Picnic

Above photo by Stephanie Brinkley – Front (L-R): Aaron Renninger, Wyatt Watterson, Noah Harrison, Matt Alston, Gabe Anderson, Eli Rudesyle, Tanner Miller. Back (L-R) – Drew Martz, Bryce Brinkley, Dauntae Girvan, Gary Matus, Dawson Smail, Hayden Weber, Devon Lauer. (Missing from photo) Derek Smail.

The Clarion Area Bobcat Baseball Boosters hosted a Banquet/Picnic to honor the 2023 Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association’s (PIAA) State Class 1-A Champions, and District Nine Class 1-A Champs, at Clarion County Park, on Monday, June 26th.

A really nice spread was provided for the players, coaches and invited guests, by the Boosters and parents (some of the items included: burgers, hotdogs and corn on the cob, hot off the grill; salads, fruit, pasta and dessert including, cookies, brownies, specialty cupcakes, as well as refreshments).

Then it was time for the program. Bobcats’ Manager Rob Jewett opened the festivities welcoming those gathered. He then would thank various folks and for applause of appreciation after each was mentioned.

Among those mentioned were those providing the food; trainer Steve Seifert (for keeping the team healthy, together and sane); team photographers Nate Girvan and Stephanie Brinkley [both major contributors to CSZ. Thank you both]; the bus drivers (Paul Brown, Paul Everett were in attendance); media in attendance (Chris Rossetti – YDL Sports Network/D9and10Sports.com who provided amazing coverage throughout districts and states [to whom I owe a major debt of gratitude for the help he has been to me throughout the years. Thank you Chris!] and myself (Thank you Bobcats!).

Next Coach Jewett shared special thanks for several of his assistant coaches.

Coach Jewett began with Coach Lee Weber. He introduced him with the well known saying “The Man, the Myth, the Legend,” all very fitting. He mentioned he and coach Weber were “Flip and Flop,” referencing the fact that, he was coach Weber’s assistant when he started with Clarion Area Baseball a number of years back. And that when he began his head coaching duties, coach Weber stayed on board as his assistant. Coach Jewett gave coach Weber much credit for the Bobcats’ success and the workings of the program, saying, “Three-fourths of what we do comes from him.”

Next he mentioned coach Adrian Weber, coach Lee Weber’s son and a former Bobcat player. He stated that Adrian’s schedule made it difficult to be at some games, but that he was able to make it to much of the playoffs.

Also mentioned was coach Jon King, who drove distances many never would to make with hour upon hour on the road to the Bobcats’ games this season. He even traveled from Virginia Beach to St. College for the championship game!

A great example of sacrifice, this coaching staff!

Coaches Jewett and Lee Weber displayed the state championship trophy, all the while making sure to hammer home to Bobcats, the historical significance of this 2023 team’s accomplishments. Among those, some of the things mentioned included: being the first Clarion Area baseball team to win a District Nine championship and the first to win a state title, going 4-0 in the state tournament, while outscoring their opponents 32-1 (never giving up a run until the championship game). Many individual and team stats and milestones were shared, again with the emphasis being on the “firsts” this team accomplished.

Individual awards were given out (the list of the players who received the awards is below).

A special part of the proceedings was when Eli Rudesyle, who couldn’t be at the state championship game, due to a prior commitment to an educational field trip to Europe, was awarded his medal.

And coach Jewett made special mention of this year’s lone senior Gary Matus, who is now a member of the “The Legend,” the famous Indiana University of Pennsylvania Marching Band, mentioning that he would be missed, while also wishing him the best as he moves on to the next stage of his life.

Coach Jewett presented gifts from the Booster Club to the players, including a plaque of the state brackets, tee shirts and mini keepsake bats.

Holding the state championship trophy overhead, coach Jewett said, “This is a Team Trophy. There are no individual names on it.” Special mention was made of underclassmen, some who didn’t even see any game action, saying that by them working in practice to get the varsity ready, they were every bit as much a part of this team as the others.

Strong emphasis was placed on how much the players on this team bought into the program, worked hard in season and out, to bring about these great results. He mentioned the players willingness to trust in themselves, their teammates and coaches. Coach Jewett also mentioned that no matter what it takes, the team was willing to put in the work and that preparation for the 2024 season will begin in the fall.

Coach Jewett then shared his appreciation for the players and their parents, finishing with, “Thanks for taking me along for the ride.”

 In a special shoutout to the team’s only senior, coach Weber mentioned that “Gary Matus was a great example of an unselfish team leader/captain!  Not only is he a great example on the field but he is also a great person!  If he didn’t already have loving parents, I would adopt him myself!”

The Booster Club then presented special gifts to coach Weber and coach Jewett, including a special full sized custom made display bat to coach Jewett, commemorating this historic season.

Things wound down with an auction of team apparel, good conversation and filling “to go plates.”

Congratulations to the Bobcats on this historic season!!!! And Congratulations to the Clarion Area Bobcat Baseball Boosters on this fine event!!!!

Trophy and Plaque Awards

Dawson Smail – MVP (Large Color Plaque)

Hayden Weber – Rookie of the Year (Plaque)

Devon Lauer – CY Young (Pitching Trophy)

Bryce Brinkley – Gold Glove (Glove Trophy) [shared with Derek Smail] 

Derek Smail – Gold Glove (Glove Trophy) [shared with Bryce Brinkley]

Tanner Miller – Rolaids -relief pitcher (Pitching Trophy)

Matt Alston –  Most Improved/Persistent (Baseball Trophy)

Noah Harrison – Coaches Award (Baseball Trophy) *This special award for a player that is crucial to the success of the team due to his ability to play at multiple positions. This person would also have strong offensive numbers and can hit in the clutch.

Specialty Bat Awards

Dawson Smail – Highest Batting Average (.538), Most Hits (43), Most Doubles, (15), Highest On Base Percentage (.600), Most Runs (44), Highest Slugging Percentage (.900)

Noah Harrison – Most Runs Batted In (30)

Bryce Brinkley – Most Triples (1)

Derek Smail – Most Home Runs (4), Most Bases On Balls (23)

Matt Alston – Most Times Hit By A Pitcher (2)

Specialty Baseball Awards (Pitching)

Devon Lauer – Best Earned Run Average (0.50), Most Strikeouts (52), Most Appearances (12) [Shared with Tanner Miller]

Derek Smail – Lowest Opponent Batting Average (0.168)

Tanner Miller – Most Appearances (12) [shared with Devon Lauer]

Specialty Baseball Awards (Fielding)

Hayden Weber  Best Fielding Percentage (1.000)

Derek Smail (0.98)

(Thank you to Stephanie Brinkley for her fine photos!!!!)