Photo by Doug Williams
Lake Highlands’ Michael Ketchmark has been named to the Dallas Morning News All-Area Baseball Team after another stellar year playing for the Wildcats. The District 9-5A MVP, headed to Dartmouth to study economics and play baseball in the fall, had 29 stolen bases and a batting average of .478. As the Cats’ closing pitcher, he allowed only one earned run all season and collected five saves with a 0.66 ERA. Playing third base, he earned 26 RBIs, 20 extra-base hits and 42 runs scored.
Though he’s excited about life in the Ivy League and he’s looking forward to making the trip to Hanover, Michael admits there are a few things he’ll regret leaving.
“I’ll definitely miss the close knit Lake Highlands community,” Michael told me, “and the plethora of delicious Mexican restaurants that will not be in New Hampshire.”
His first stop when he comes back on holiday break?
“Mariano’s. Definitely.”
Michael gives credit for his success to many who’ve fostered and nurtured him, but he says a few stand out.
Photo by Doug Williams
“My biggest supporters are not only my parents, who attend every game of course, but my Grandma Sue, who, if not in attendance at the game, is following it online and checking the newspaper to see if my name is in it.
“My dad has taught me everything I know about baseball, and if he isn’t at work, he is at the baseball field with me helping me become a better baseball player. He is my biggest role model.”
I asked Michael what lessons he learned in LH that he’ll take with him to the Ivy League.
“Work hard,” he said, “and don’t take anything for granted.”
Congratulations to Michael and to these Wildcats who made the All-District team:
Defensive MVP – Beau Barnes, Hudson Taylor, Colton Bradley and Chris Dyer.
(Photos by LH Dad Doug Williams.)
