Friends off the field, Adam Posey (left) and Ryan McAlister (right) wrapped up their collegiate careers by earning VaSID All-State awards. (Photos by Wayne Gehman)

Posey and McAlister go out in style

Seniors Adam Posey (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson) and Ryan McAlister (Bridgewater, Va./Turner Ashby) have each been named All-State by the Virginia Sports Information Directors. It is the first all-state award for each of the baseball men.

Posey earns a spot on the All-State First Team as a utility player. Starting as an outfielder and EMU’s No. 1 pitcher, Posey completed one of the finest all-around seasons in program history. He was a terror atop the batting order, hitting .424 with 41 runs and 23 RBIs. His 72 hits led the nation during the regular season and tied an EMU record set by current MLBer Erik Kratz.  Posey added 10 doubles, three triples and his first career homerun. He was the lone EMU regular with more walks than strikeouts (14 to 13) and he was second on the team with nine stolen bases.

On the hill, Posey was 4-4 with one complete game and a 4.57 ERA. He struck out 56 batters in 65.0 innings and walked only four. Posey was second in the nation with a 14.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio and third nationally with 0.55 walks per nine innings. He was also named All-ODAC First Team and All-Region by two different organizations.

McAlister repeats his All-ODAC Second Team award with an All-State Second Team honor. A four-year starter at second base, he batted .365 with 29 runs and 23 RBIs. His .447 on-base percentage was second on the team only to Posey’s .471. McAlister led the ODAC with nine sacrifices and added 12 stolen bases. He also broke Eastern Mennonite’s record for career assists, finishing with 329.

Shenandoah University’s Michael Paul was named Player of the Year while teammate Darrell Thompson and Ferrum’s Jake Perkins shared Pitcher of the Year honors. Rounding out top honors was Randolph-Macon College’s Nick Maiolo as Rookie of the Year and Bridgewater’s Curt Kendall tabbed as Coach of the Year.

The Royals finished with a record of 20-19 this spring, notching their first winning record since the Kratz era ended in 2002. It was also just the third 20-win season in program history.