Austin Stadler of James River has been honored as the Gatorade Player of the Year for Virginia.
In leading James River to a district tournament title and its second straight Central Region title, Stadler is batting .585 with 8 HR's, 12 doubles and 30 RBI after 23 games, entering this week's state playoffs. I would guess he also led the state in intentional walks, including 4 with men already on first, and one with the bases loaded!
On the mound, the lefty is also 7-3, 2.74, and after some early ups and downs has thrown his last 18 2/3 innings without allowing an earned run (1 run total over that stretch).
Stadler has also collected honors this year as a Louisville Slugger 1st Team Preseason All-American (LHP) and Rawlings 2nd Team Preseason All-American (2-way player). He was named Co-Player of the Year in the Dominion District and sole Player of the Year in the Central Region, as well as the region's All-Academic Player of the Year.
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