The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mike Zeuli
The Kirtland Hornets put together the best season in school history with their first district championship in 2018. No player had more to do with Kirtland’s success than Mike Zeuli. Zeuli’s powerful bat and experience helped a .500 Hornets team find its way to the school’s first-ever regional berth. The Hornets’ senior catcher hit .519 with 12 doubles, three triples and 38 RBI. Over 81 at-bats, Zeuli struck out only five times. During the state tournament, Zeuli went 8-for-12 at the plate with three doubles, eight RBI and five runs scored. On the mound, Zeuli pitched 7 2⁄3 scoreless innings and picked up a save. Zeuli collected a trove of postseason accolades as the Division III Ohio Player of the Year, the OHSBCA Northeast District Player of the Year, a Mizuno All-Ohio and AllLake County selection, first team All-CVC and now the News-Herald Player of the Year. Zeuli heads to Lakeland Community College this fall and will play baseball.
OF/P Chris Reilly, Sr., Beachwood
.456, 8 2B, 8 3B, 1 HR, 24 RBI, 24 R, 14 SB, 3-3, 34 1⁄3 IP, 45 K, All-Ohio honorable mention, first team AllDistrict.
SS Joey Torok, Jr., Kirtland
.500, 5 2B, 1 3B, 11 RBI, 33 runs, 46 SB, .602 OBP, first team All-Ohio, first team All-District, first All-CVC, All-Lake County selection.
2B Kyle Zaluski, So., Chagrin Falls
.455, 6 2B, 4 3B, 35 RBI, 32 runs, 20 SB, second team All-Ohio, first team AllDistrict.