Ryne Combs, who starred as a pitcher, center fielder and leadoff hitter for Bryan Station, was named Kentucky's Mr. Baseball.
The Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association also announced that Jeff Parrett, who led Woodford County to its first state title this season, was selected Coach of the Year.
Combs, a senior left-hander who has signed with Kentucky, found out he had won the award during Bryan Station's baseball banquet Tuesday night.
He said "it feels amazing to be put in the category" with six other players from Lexington who have won Mr. Baseball: Scott Hodges and Collin Cowgill of Henry Clay, Austin Kearns and Chaz Roe of Lafayette, Josh Ellis of Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Ben Revere of Lexington Catholic.
Combs posted a 10-1 record this season, including a victory over No. 1 Lexington Catholic in the region tournament. He finished with a 0.59 earned run average, and 105 strikeouts in 71 innings. He had a career record of 23-5, four saves and a 1.47 ERA.
"He's a special, once-in-a-lifetime player," Bryan Station Coach Eddie Brooks said. "And he's a quality young man on and off the field."
Combs hit .363 this season with 11 doubles, five triples, three homers and 24 stolen bases. He had an on-base percentage of .570.
"He was the engine that got our train going on offense," Brooks said.
Combs, who was named Gatorade's player of the year in Kentucky two weeks ago, received one more accolade at Bryan Station's banquet Tuesday night. He had his jersey (No. 10) retired.
"That's amazing, too, especially considering Doug Flynn (No. 23) is the only other player to have that done here," Combs said.
Brooks said UK will have a hard time keeping Combs off the mound as one of its weekend pitchers in Southeastern Conference play. "That's how much faith I have in his talent."
Mike Fields: (859) 231-3337.Twitter: @MikeFieldsNotes.Blog: fieldsnotes.bloginky.com
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