Five Edison State Student-Athletes Earn Post-Season Conference Honors

Recently finishing out their seasons, five Edison State Community College softball and baseball players have been named recipients of post-season awards from the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) for the 2019 season.

Representing the women's softball team, Wendy Hawk, of Washington Court House, Lexi Romine, of Enon, and Mackenzie Smith, of St. Paris, have been named to the All-OCCAC Team. The Lady Chargers were three of fourteen members named to the team.

Wendy Hawk, a 5-foot-6-inch sophomore, maintained a .383 batting average with hit five home runs, 30 RBIs, 30 Rs, and 7 SB with the Lady Chargers.

"Wendy stepped right in and made us better because of her versatility," said Edison State Head Softball Coach Dan Cain. "She played numerous positions but spent about three-quarters of the season at third base. She was a threat hitting the ball and led the team in home runs. Wendy was a great teammate who everyone loved to be around."  

Alexis Romine, a 5-foot-8-inch right-handed pitcher, maintained a 4.35 ERA and threw 74 Ks in 19 appearances during her sophomore season at Edison State.

"Lexi was the top go-getter. She has been a two-year starter for us, and this season she was healthy all year which made a big difference," said Cain.

"She played multiple positions and was our number-one pitcher. We could always count on her to do a good job. The way she treated her teammates along with her versatility will be missed next season."

Mackenzie Smith, a 5-foot-1-inch catcher for the Lady Chargers was also named to the All-Conference Team. In 32 games played, Smith maintained a .362 batting average with 1 HR, 18 RBIs, 23 Rs, and 6 SB.

"Mackenzie was the first softball recruit at Edison State," said Cain. "She always gave her all on the field as a catcher and our leadoff hitter. Other coaches and umpires often noticed and complimented the way she did things." 

"We'll have holes to fill next year without these three as well as the other sophomores. They were all a huge part of tripling our wins in the second year of the program. They're good kids who are goal oriented. They will do well in life."

The softball team finished their 2019 campaign with an overall record of 18-17 and 7-9 in the OCCAC. 

On the men's team, sophomore Layne Riley, of Dayton, has been named First Team All-OCCAC. Riley, a 6-foot-3-inch pitcher/infielder, had a 3.24 ERA with 80 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched for the Chargers. He hit .345 and struck out only five times in 116 at-bats.

"Layne is a top tier talent both in the field and on the mound. He started at 2nd, pitched in the fall, and transitioned into a dominant 3rd baseman–and statistically our best arm," said Head Baseball Coach Tyler Koch.  

"Layne set the single-season record at Edison State for most wins in a season with 6 and most strikeouts in a single season with 80." 

Riley was also named OCCAC Pitcher of the Week during the season and was the recipient of a humanitarian award for helping a disabled gentleman at the Lorain County game.

Adding to the list of team laurels, Jake Clements, of Loveland, has been named to the All-OCCAC Second Team. Clements is a 6-foot-1-inch sophomore catcher/outfielder who maintained a .337 batting average with 2 HRs, 21 RBIs, and 9 SBs. Clements is receiving his second round of All-OCCAC Second Team honors in two different positions–catcher and outfielder.

"Jake is an all-around good ballplayer," said Koch. "He is also an excellent student with a 3.8 GPA."

"Jake showed up day in and day out in the classroom and on the field and performed well. Any team would be lucky to have him."

The men's baseball team had a record-high number of wins on the season, finishing 25-19 overall and second in the OCCAC with a 15-9 record.