Did we ever offer this kid?

Jun 19, 2012, 9:42 AM

http://preps.goupstate.com/news/article/35596/byrnes-cunningham-named-shj-baseball-player-of-year/

Alex Cunningham from Byrnes

Byrnes' Alex Cunningham was named baseball player of the year. (Photo by MICHAEL JUSTUS/michael.justus@shj.com)
Alex Cunningham knows all about staying in the zone.

Whether it’s pounding the strike zone or simply being zoned in, the Byrnes product had full control of both aspects.

Cunningham, a Coastal Carolina signee, posted a 7-2 record with a 0.34 ERA and struck out 97 batters in 61 2/3 innings pitched this past season. The South Carolina select all-star, all-state and all-region selection also batted .409 with two home runs, 19 RBIs and 25 runs scored.

He helped lead the Rebels to the Region II-4A title, as well as a third straight upper state title and state runner-up finish.

Due to his stellar season, Cunningham has been named the Herald-Journal/GoUpstate Preps Baseball Player of the Year.

He said earning the honor is a result of hard work during the season.

“I thank God for giving me the ability to play baseball,” he said. “It also feels good knowing you worked hard and earned it. Earning it is better than having something just given to you.”

Cunningham had a remarkable playoff run in which he did not give up an earned run. He posted a six-inning no-hitter in a win against Spring Valley and struck out 11 against Boiling Springs before the state title series.

Cunningham then won the first game of the best-of-three championship series in a 2-0 decision against Ashley Ridge with a four-hit, 13-strikeout performance. He took a tough 4-3 loss in nine innings of a decisive Game 3, but continued to post impressive numbers with a five-hitter and 11 strikeouts. All of the runs given up in Game 3 were unearned.

Cunningham said his run began after winning the Region II-4A title in a complete-game effort with 15 strikeouts against Boiling Springs. His next start was the no-hitter in the district playoffs.

“I kind of took the position of the team leader,” he said. “It wasn’t meant to be like that. There were a lot of us that were leaders. But Coach (Michael) Maus put it on me and told me that they were going to ride my back through the playoffs.”

While admitting the state championship loss was difficult to swallow, Cunningham said he’s happy with the season and his career.

“The feeling is a once in a lifetime thing, and the atmosphere of a state championship game is unbelievable,” he said. “Yeah we did come up short, but you don’t forget the memories. To put Byrnes in the spotlight for baseball is pretty awesome. I wouldn’t have changed anything.”

He also believes the Rebels will be back in a position to win their first state title next year.

“I don’t see much of a fall off,” Cunningham said. “They will lose a lot of core guys, but they have matured and stepped up and proved themselves. Coach Maus is the best high school coach all around and will get them prepared.”

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Did we ever offer this kid?

I'm sure we did

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