LAKE COUNTY — Between senior Zayne Barker and sophomore Brock Barrick, the Kelseyville High School varsity baseball team had a formidable one-two punch during a successful 2023 campaign under the leadership of head coach Billy Shaul.
On the mound, in the field – Barker at shortstop and Barrick at third base – or at the plate, Barker and Barrick played a large role in Kelseyville’s 14-0 run to the North Central League I title, a nearly two-month-long streak of undefeated baseball that covered 15 straight victories, and a trip to the ultra-competitive North Coast Section Division 4 quarterfinals.
Barker and Barker, representing a Kelseyville team that built on both veteran players and underclassmen, are the co-most valuable players on the 2023 edition of the All-Lake County baseball team as selected by the Lake County Record-Bee. Shaul, who guided the team to an undisputed league championship and 18-6 overall record, is the All-County Coach of the Year, continuing the school’s long and proud tradition in the sport.
A look at Kelseyville’s season statistics tells you all that is necessary about the influence Barker and Barrick had on the Knights. They are among team leaders in most hitting and pitching categories. Barker led the team in hits (32) and batting average (.438) while Barrick was first in on-base percentage (.513), slugging percentage (.626) and earned run average (1.17).
First team
Barker and Barrick were hardly a two-person act for a Knights team that hit the ball up and down its lineup and benefited from solid play in the field as well. Joining them on the All-County first team are teammate Jon Dougherty, a junior pitcher/third baseman, senior catcher Joey Gentle,sophomore first baseman’outfielder Tyler Bryant, sophomore outfielder Reme Strong, and senior outfielder Luke Watkins.
The Clear Lake Cardinals (9-11) are represented on the first team by junior Hank Ollenberger and senior Greyson Wind. First-team selections for the Middletown Mustangs (4-16-1) are senior Hunter Hartzog and freshman Jon Hawkins.
The Lower Lake Trojans (8-14) and Upper Lake Cougars also landed two players on the first team. For Lower Lake, it was seniors Jordan O’Keefe and Jett Guralas. For Upper Lake (6-4), it was sophomore Kyler Brothers and junior Will Henry.
