Humboldt players earn league, state recognition

Fresh off its second consecutive state playoff trip, Humboldt High’s baseball team raked in some postseason honors Tuesday.
Humboldt’s Nathan Whitcomb, Jacob Carpenter and Grayson Pearish all were named to the Tri-Valley League’s first team, while Hunter Murrow received honorable mention. Whitcomb also was named to the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches’ All-State first team for his pitching.
All were vital cogs for a Humboldt squad that went 15-3 on the season.
Carpenter, Humboldt’s starting first baseman, racked up a whopping .537 batting average (29 of 54) with 10 doubles, 29 runs and 31 RBIs in 18 games — leading the team in each category. He also was a sparkling 20 of 21 in stolen base attempts.
Even with a sore shoulder that curtailed his pitching at the start of the season, Pearish still made a name for himself at the plate. He batted .489 (23 of 47) with 26 RBIs, including three triples and four doubles. His batting average with runners in scoring position was a mind-boggling .621. After returning to the mound late in the season, Pearish compiled a 4-2 record with a 2.66 ERA. He struck out 26 batters over 26 1/3 innings.
Whitcomb, the team’s only senior, will leave some big shoes to fill, at the plate and on the mound.
Whitcomb batted .481 with 29 runs and 25 RBIs. He stole 14 bases in 14 attempts and led the Cubs with two home runs. On the mound, Whitcomb went 5-1 with a 2.88 ERA. He struck out 49 batters over 34 innings, while allowing a meager 19 hits. He limited his opponents to a .161 batting average.

AS THE CUBS’ starting short stop, Murrow anchored the top of the batting order with a .429 batting average. He was second on the team with seven doubles. His 19 singles tied Whitcomb for the most on the Humboldt roster. He was successful on 13 of 14 stolen base attempts.

HUMBOLDT WENT 12-2 over the regular season — losing only to Class 4A powerhouse Iola — before rolling through the Class 3A regional tournament by a combined score of 28-2.
The Cubs lost in the opening round of the state playoffs in Manhattan to Salina-Sacred Heart.