HILLSDALE COUNTY — Three standout performances across Hillsdale County athletics were recognized for the week of April 20–26, highlighted by a dominant pitching effort, a big bat in the reader’s poll and a top sprint relay group on the track.
The Daily News Choice Athlete of the Week: Desman Lawless, North Adams-Jerome baseball
North Adams-Jerome sophomore Desman Lawless earned The Daily News Choice Athlete of the Week honors after a dominant all-around performance on the mound and at the plate.
Lawless struck out 13 batters while allowing just one hit in a 12-0 win over Waldron, while also contributing three hits, one RBI and two runs scored. He followed that with another big showing offensively in an 18-1 win over Tekonsha, blasting a home run over the left-center field fence for his first long ball at the North Adams-Jerome field in some time. Lawless added a triple and a double in the win.
Reader’s Choice Athlete of the Week: Isaac Fether, Waldron baseball
Waldron senior Isaac Fether claimed Reader’s Choice Athlete of the Week honors after helping lead the Spartans to a weekend win and nearly securing a second victory.
Fether powered Waldron to a 19-4 win over Tekonsha, finishing with four hits, four RBIs and three runs scored. He added three more hits and a run in a narrow 12-11 loss to Barry County Christian. Fether also handled duties behind the plate before moving to the mound in relief to close out the game, striking out two batters in the final innings.
Reader’s Choice Runner-Up: Hillsdale 4×100 relay, girls track and field
The Hillsdale girls track and field 4×100 relay team earned runner-up honors in the Reader’s Choice poll after rising to the top of the Hillsdale Area Best standings.
The quartet of Effie Heckel, Kiely Kroa, Sierra Kibert and Emily York defeated Hudson in a dual meet with a winning time of 54.34 seconds. The performance vaulted the group into first place in the Area Best standings following their earlier No. 1 ranking in the 4×200 relay the previous week. Kibert served as the leadoff runner, with York anchoring the relay.
Honorable mentions
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Desman Lawless, Isaac Fether win April 20-26 Athlete of the Week
Reporting by Joseph Flaherty, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
