Pitcher Ben DeMell '21 led the way as five members of the Gilmour Academy baseball program were recognized with postseason awards after the recently concluded 2021 season.
DeMell was named both All-District First Team and All-News-Herald First Team after leading the Lancers both at the plate and on the mound.
DeMell was the unquestioned ace of the Gilmour staff, leading the team in nearly every category. He went 7-2 with a 0.86 ERA across 13 appearances. He allowed just 22 hits in a team-leading 65 innings and tallied a WHIP of 0.68. He racked up 113 strikeouts while allowing just 22 walks, posting a ratio of greater than 5:1. DeMell hurled back-to-back no-hitters against South Range High School and Benedictine High School in mid-May to cap off the regular season.
While DeMell was elite on the mount, his numbers at the plate were also noteworthy. He led the team in batting average (.300), on-base percentage (.467) and OPS (.967) while sitting second in slugging percentage (.500). DeMell led the team with 24 hits, 21 runs scored and 24 walks.
DeMell was recently selected to play in the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Series. Featuring 80 of the best players in Ohio, DeMell was the winning pitcher in a 10-2 victory in the opening game of the series held earlier this week at Mercy Health Field in Toledo, Ohio. He then produced two hits and two RBI in the second game of the doubleheader sweep.
Four additional Lancers were recognized by the News-Herald, two of whom were also All-District honorees.
Vinny Bandwen '21 was named to the News-Herald Honor Roll. He was one of three Lancers to play in all 30 games this season, and he did so while playing the physically demanding position of catcher. He had a .394 on-base mark and tallied 21 hits, 17 RBI and 16 runs scored on the season. Bandwen struck out only eight times all season, the lowest mark of any Gilmour regular.
Will Lazzaro '23 was also recognized on the News-Herald Honor Roll list. Lazzaro was Gilmour's No. 2 starter during this past season. He was second on the team in wins (5), innings pitched (45.1) and games started (9). He posted a 2.47 ERA and struck out 42 batters in his debut high school season. His best start of the season was his last as he threw 6.1 shutout innings against Hawken School to lead Gilmour to a win in an OHSAA District Semifinal.
Paddy Murphy '22 claimed All-District Second Team accolades and was a member of the News-Herald Honor Roll. He led the team with 18 RBI and tied for second on the squad in hits (22). He was also second on the team in batting average (.289) and finished with a .389 OBP.
Murphy was also one of Gilmour's top arms on the hill. He garnered three wins and a 2.10 ERA across 33.1 innings of work. His WHIP of 1.02 was second on the team while he also recorded one save.
Charlie Shepherd '21 was tabbed All-District Honorable Mention while also being named as a News-Herald Third Team All-Star. He was the top power hitter on the team, leading the squad in doubles (5), home runs (3) and slugging percentage (.519). He was also second on the team in both OBP (.415) and OPS (.934) as he tied for second on the team with 22 hits.
Shepherd earned two wins on the mound while starting four games on the season. He struck out 21 batters in 22.1 innings of work.
Gilmour's five honorees helped the Lancers post 18 wins in 2021 as the program won its second straight, and 12th overall, District title.
#GoGA #WeAreGilmour