Greenville’s Karsyn Shaffer, Tri-Village’s Jonny Wilson named MVPs

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DARKE COUNTY – A pair of seniors who excelled for their teams throughout their high school careers are The Daily Advocate’s players of the year in baseball and softball.

Greenville’s Karsyn Shaffer has been named The Daily Advocate’s softball player of the year, and Tri-Village’s Jonny Wilson has been named The Daily Advocate’s baseball player of the year.

Shaffer led the Greenville softball team with a .510 batting average her senior season. In 31 games she had 50 hits, four doubles, two triples, 16 stolen bases, 30 RBIs and scored 52 runs.

“When you go out and put the ball in play with that consistency great things happen,” Greenville softball coach Jerrod Newland said.

Shaffer hit second in the batting order for the Lady Wave and was a key player in sparking the Greenville offense.

“Just the spark plug that makes it go,” Newland said. “She just gets on and plays it the right way. That makes good teams go.”

Along with being a great hitter and wreaking havoc on the base paths, Shaffer also was a strong second baseman for the Wave.

“Pretty solid defensive second baseman,” Newland said.

Shaffer helped lead Greenville to a perfect 15-0 record in Greater Western Ohio Conference play and led the team to the Ohio High School Athletic Association regional finals for a third consecutive year.

For her efforts she was named first team all-American League by the GWOC and second team all-Ohio by the Ohio High School Fastpitch Softball Coaches Association.

“Great kid,” Newland said. “Plays the game the right way.”

Shaffer will continue her softball career at Muskingum University.

“She’s going to excel at Muskingum,” Newland said.

Wilson also excelled at the plate as he hit .397 with five doubles, one triple, 18 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and 25 runs in 23 games this season.

“He’s a clutch hitter. The guy just doesn’t swing at bad pitches,” Tri-Village baseball coach Jim Maples said. “When it came to crunch time if there’s a guy we want at the plate it’s Jonny Wilson.”

Wilson was Tri-Village’s leadoff hitter for the first two-and-a-half years of his high school career. Midway through his junior year he moved down to the No. 3 spot, a spot he remained in his senior year.

“He took what the pitcher gave him,” Maples said. “I think teams were a little more selective on how they threw him this year.”

Along with being a great hitter, Wilson also excelled on the mound. He had a 2.49 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 45 innings this year, compiling a 6-3 record.

“Teams when they’re coming to play Tri-Village always are wondering if they’re going to see Jonny Wilson,” Maples said.

Maples wanted to have Wilson, who threw a perfect game as a sophomore, pitch more innings this year. However, because he also was used extensively at catcher, he was limited in the number of innings he could throw.

“He did whatever was asked of him,” Maples said, “just one of the best baseball players to ever come through Tri-Village.”

One of the best things about Wilson throughout his four-year career was his versatility.

“Honestly his four-year career has just been a very good one,” Maples said. “He’s been solid, done whatever was asked of him.”

Greenville’s Karsyn Shaffer has been named The Daily Advocate’s softball player of the year, and Tri-Village’s Jonny Wilson has been named The Daily Advocate’s baseball player of the year.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Shaffer-Wilson-WEB.jpgGreenville’s Karsyn Shaffer has been named The Daily Advocate’s softball player of the year, and Tri-Village’s Jonny Wilson has been named The Daily Advocate’s baseball player of the year. Kyle Shaner | The Daily Advocate

By Kyle Shaner

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Kyle Shaner may be reached at 937-569-4316. Follow me on Twitter @KShanerAdvocate or get updates on Facebook by searching Darke County Sports or Advocate 360. For more features online go to dailyadvocate.com.

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