Ravens’ senior proves he’s best

When the Olathe Northwest High School baseball team needed a big hit, he delivered.

When a young Ravens’ pitching staff required a steady catcher and an impeccable game-caller, he provided that, too.

If something needed to be said in the Northwest dugout, there’s a good chance he was the one to say it.

For his myriad contributions as a leader, catcher and batter, Ravens senior Harrison Lambert is the 2009 Olathe News Baseball Player of the Year.

A second-team all-state pick by the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches and a first-team All-Sunflower League selection, Lambert was a rock for Northwest, which qualified for state for the first time in school history.

The Ravens had a 15-8 record, and Lambert, who batted .397 with 25 runs driven in and 25 runs scored, was a big reason why. Entrusted with game-calling duties, he also groomed a pitching staff with little varsity experience.

He is bound for the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.

Lambert and his fellow Northwest baseball graduates left a sturdy legacy at one of the state’s up-and-coming programs. ALL-OLATHE BASEBALL TEAM  OF Kyle Adams, senior, Olathe Northwest

The consummate table-setter scored a team-high 34 runs and batted .405 with eight doubles and four triples. He stole nine bases, socked a home run and drove in 18 runs.

INF Eric Dawson, senior, Olathe North

The Eagles’ shortstop batted .459 with eight doubles, three triples, two home runs, 12 runs batted in and a team-best 19 runs scored. He also boasted a 0.62 earned run average, 2-1 pitching record and five saves as the closer.

INF Austin Fisher, sophomore, Olathe Northwest

The Ravens’ shortstop batted .500 with eight doubles, five triples, one home run and 25 RBIsas a first-team all-state performer.

P Jesse Foulk, senior, Olathe Northwest

The Ravens ace lefthander had a 4-0 record, 2.05 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 27 innings.

INF Kegan Knight, senior, Olathe South

One of the Falcons’ unquestioned leaders, he batted .329 with 16 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

C Harrison Lambert, senior, Olathe Northwest

The Ravens’ leader batted .397 with 25 RBIs and 25 runs scored. A clutch hitter, he had five doubles and two home runs.

UT Kale Kleinsorge, senior, Olathe Northwest

An outfielder, he batted .443 and drove in 19 runs, helping he Ravens reach the state.

P Grayson McKenzie, senior, Olathe North

He had a 3-1 record and 2.73 ERA in 25 2/3 innings.

OF Alex Mitts, senior, Olathe East

This left-handed batter hit for power and average for the Hawks, finishing with a double, four triples and a home run and batted .359. Also, he had a team-best 19 RBIs and scored 17 runs.

INF Conner Murray, junior, Olathe East

One of the Hawks’ top pitchers, he posted a 3.50 ERA and struck out 57 in 36 innings. Also solid in the field, he led East with a .413 batting average and 11 RBIs.

P Dylan Murray, senior, Olathe East

The other half of the Hawks’ top pitching combination, he had a 2-2 record, one save and 1.95 ERA. He struck out 39 in 28 2/3 innings.

P Keith Picht, senior, Olathe South

Perhaps the city’s top pitcher, his record was only 3-3, but he had five complete games, posted a 1.47 ERA and struck out 74 in 57 1/3 innings. Opponents batted only .195 for the season against him.

OF Mitch Ransburg, senior, Olathe Northwest

A thumper in the heart of the Ravens’ lineup, Ransburg cracked four home runs, drove in a team-best 27 runs and batted .413 with eight doubles, three triples and 29 runs scored.

INF Mike Schneider, senior, Olathe South

Steady at third base, he hit .343 and drove in a team-high 21 runs.

DH Mitch Slauter, senior, Olathe North

A masher who hit .333 with two home runs, hehad a team-high 16 RBIs as the Eagles catcher.

OF Austin Willard, senior, Olathe North

The Eagles’ leadoff batter had a .323 average, stole five bases and played brilliantly in center field.