Ron Verst, who took the Brossart Mustangs to the Final Four of the State Tournament in his first season, and NCC's longtime head baseball coach Jeff Schulkens, whose Thoroughbreds won the 9th Region Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight of the State Tournament, were named Co-Northern Kentucky Baseball Coaches of the Year by the Enquirer on Tuesday.

Covington Catholic's Ben Maile was named the Northern Kentucky Player of the Year.

Verst guided the Mustangs to a 27-13 record, winning the 37th District Tournament and 10th Region Tournaments, upsetting Harrison County in the regional finals to earn a berth in the KHSAA State Tournament

where they defeated Pikeville and then dispatched the tournament favorites, Louisville St. Xavier before falling in 9 innings to eventual state champ, Woodford County. NCC were runners-up in the 36th District Tournament to Highlands, but defeated the Birds in the 9th Region finals. The 25-17 Breds upset Louisville Pleasure Ridge Park in the opening round of the State Tournament before falling to state runner-up Henderson County 1-0 in the quarterfinals.

 

Brossart's Nate Verst and Tanner Norton were previously named All-State Honorable Mention as was NCC's Josh Cain.

Congrats to all! Coach Verst is a great guy. So proud of what he has accomplished after only 1 year as head coach.

Maile named Enquirer POY.

Not bad at all for the parents of Luke and Ben (Rich and Laurie) to have two sons win that award four times. Congrats to Ben and the family!