Semoball

2021 SEMO Conference baseball awards released

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett junior Reese Robinett (pictured) is the 2021 SEMO Conference baseball Player of the Year.

The 2021 SEMO Conference all-conference baseball has been released.

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett senior Payton Heinley (pictured) is the 2021 SEMO Conference Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Year.

Kennett junior Reese Robinett is the SEMO Conference Baseball Player of the Year. Robinett hit .408 with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs. He also went 4-0 with two saves and a 2.33 ERA on the hill.

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett senior Kobe Gates (pictured) is the 2021 SEMO Conference Baseball Co-Pitcher of the Year.

“In my opinion he is one of the best players in the state,” Kennett coach Aaron New said. “He came through with big hit after big hit for us in the state tournament. He also pitched well at the end of our state semifinal game and gave us a chance to come back and win it. Reese has been consistent for us all year and played at an all-state level. It’s probably one of the best seasons anyone has put together as a Kennett Indian since I’ve been here."

Kennett seniors Payton Heinley and Kobe Gates are the SEMO Conference Baseball Co-Pitchers of the Year. Gates went 6-1 with a 1.21 ERA while striking out 74 in 40.1 innings pitched. Heinley finished 7-0 with a 1.87 ERA while striking out 71 in 48.2 innings pitched.

“I couldn’t be more happy for them to be selected Co-Pitchers of the Year,” New said. “They were both outstanding. Every time we gave them the ball they went out there and gave us great innings. You just couldn’t ask for any more from those guys."

Kennett coach Aaron New is the SEMO Conference Baseball Coach of the Year. Kennett finished 26-8, won the SEMO Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and won its first state title in school history under New.

“It’s special to be selected Coach of the Year,” New said. “You win Coach of the Year awards when you have really good players. I was just lucky I got to be in the best seat in the house for 34 games and watch them play this spring.”

Kennett’s Payton Heinley, Kennett’s Kobe Gates, Jackson’s Cayden Drum, Poplar Bluff’s Kannon Carr, Notre Dame’s Austin Gast, Cape Central’s Kevin Robinson, Kennett’s Reese Robinett, Sikeston’s Trace Sullivan, Sikeston’s Dylan Thornbrough, Jackson’s Justin Moses, Jackson’s Chase Crosnoe, Poplar Bluff’s Parker Moore, Poplar Bluff’s Brady Robertson, Notre Dame’s Blake Anderson, Kennett’s Braden Tice, Kennett’s Brooks Nigut, Jackson’s Caden Bogenpohl, Cape Central’s Carter Crosnoe, Kennett’s Tanner Duncan, and Sikeston’s Nolan Self were selected first-team all-conference.

Cape Central’s Wyatt Brinkopf, Cape Central’s Ty Thatcher, Kennett’s Riley Henfling, Dexter’s Brock Wyman, Notre Dame’s Noah Gadberry, Dexter’s Riley Slusher, NMCC’s John Michael Stanley, Kennett’s Bodey Ellis, Jackson’s Quinton Borders, Sikeston’s Trey Drake, Jackson’s Will Richardson, Notre Dame’s Cole Lemons, Dexter’s Kaeden Kennedy, Poplar Bluff’s Jacob Baller, Notre Dame’s Conner Wissinger, and Poplar Bluff’s Kayson King received honorable mention.

Note: The coaches vote on the all-conference awards.

Photo by Dustin Ward, staff
Kennett coach Aaron New (pictured) is the 2021 SEMO Conference Baseball Coach of the Year.
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