Marty Gordon
NRVsports@ourvalley.org
Christiansburg High School’s baseball team is in the midst of one of its best seasons in almost five years. Friday, 12 Blue Demons were named to All-River Ridge teams announced by the league’s athletic directors. Three were named to the first team with junior Brady Kirtner sharing player of the year honors with Patrick Henry’s Carter Plunkett.
Kirtner was joined on the first team by outfielder Dakota Sisson and first baseman Zalen Akers. Blacksburg pitcher Collin Coliver was also first team All-River Ridge.
Second team honorees included: third baseman MJ Hunter and Designated hitter Jeb Dobson. The two were joined on the second team by Blacksburg catcher Luke Goforth, outfielder Stephen Case and Coliver as a first baseman.
Honorable mention were: Jason Duffie, Brady Kirtner, Ty Dunkleman, Reagan Harris, Clay Clatterbaugh and Connor Brizendine, all as position players from Christiansburg. Blacksburg had a total of seven players named honorable mention: Wes McCoy, Tyler Vandevord (pitcher and shortstop), Bennett Shealor, Sam Helton and Craig Weaver.
On the district’s softball squad also announced Friday, Christiansburg and Blacksburg, both had six players honored.
First team honorees included: first baseman Casey Kietrys, outfielder Kendall Stanley and Baylee Reasor, all from Christiansburg; also Makayla Dowdy, Katie Currin and Brooke Anderson from Blacksburg.
Second team included: Maddie Thompson and Harley Dove of Christiansburg, and Brie Kuhar, Tori Dickert and Alexis Snyder, all from Blacksburg.
Christiansburg’s Madelynn Evans was named to the honorable mention team.