(Photo of Kobe Bonanno. Submitted photo. Photo by Mike Maslar)

And, that is the reason Black is the 2018 D9Sports.com District 9 MVP, as well as the D9Sports.com District 9 Offensive Player of the Year. It is the second consecutive year Black has earned the MVP award.

Joining Black in being honored by D9Sports.com, are St. Marys’ Nate Beimel as the D9Sports.com District 9 Pitcher of the Year, A.J. Meeker, a Union grad, as the D9Sports.com District 9 Manager of the Year, and Redbank Valley’s Kobe Bonanno as the D9Sports.com District 9 Rookie of the Year.

2018 D9SPORTS.COM BASEBALL AWARD WINNERS

MVP/OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Garren Black, Oswayo Valley, Senior

Black, a left-handed pitcher/first baseman, was 7-1 on the mound with a save for the Green Wave while recording a 0.89 ERA. In 39 ⅓ innings of work he struck out 64 and walked just six.

At the plate, Black was a force hitting .563 (27 of 48) with a 1.706 OPS. He hit seven home runs and four doubles while driving in 26 runs and scoring 22. He led the team with 10 walks and struck out just once.

PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Nate Beimel, St. Marys, Junior

Beimel, a left-handed hurler, was nearly untouchable this season.

He was 5-0 on the year with a 0.78 ERA while playing a role in three no-hitters. In 44 ⅔ innings of work, he gave up six runs, five earned, on 11 hits and 27 walks (0.851 WHIP) while striking out 92.

Beimel, who helped lead St. Marys to its first District 9 title (Class 4A) since 2000, also hit .333 with five doubles, four home runs, and 22 RBIs.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, Kobe Bonanno, Redbank Valley, Freshman

Bonanno burst onto the scene this year for Redbank Valley hitting .403 (21 of 52) with nine doubles, four home runs, and a triple while driving in 21 runs.

The second baseman helped the Bulldogs to the District 9 Class 2A semifinals in a year where not a ton was expected for the team.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR: A.J. Meeker, St. Marys

Meeker took over the Dutch program this season and led St. Marys to its first District 9 title since 2000 with a win over defending champion Clearfield in the Class 4A title game.

St. Marys lost in the opening round of the PIAA playoffs to eventual state champion, Ringgold, 4-3, but finished the season 15-8 against one of the tougher schedules in District 9.

The D9 championship was only the third baseball title in school history for St. Marys.

Meeker joins his brother Josh (Union girls’ basketball — 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007) as a D9Sports.com Coach of the Year honoree.