07/20/2026
⚾️SOUTHERN WV BASEBALL AWARDS🏆
Brought to you by : Burke & Herbert Bank , Rainelle Medical Center & Mister Sparky of Southern West Virginia
🏆 MVP — Luke Tagliente - Sherman - Sr 🌊
Luke Tagliente completed his Sherman career with the type of senior season players dream about. The Fairmont State signee finished 13-0 on the mound with a 0.00 ERA, striking out 99 batters across 67⅔ innings while leading the Tide to the Class A state championship.
Tagliente was far from a one-dimensional player. He also hit .430, scored 56 runs and collected 21 RBIs, seven doubles, two triples and a home run. His ability to dominate from the mound while producing at the plate made him the engine behind Sherman’s championship run.
His list of postseason honors matched his production. Tagliente was selected as a MaxPreps Small Town All-American, named the Class A First-Team All-State captain and finished his high school career as a state champion. Whenever Sherman needed a big performance, Tagliente seemed to deliver it, making him the clear choice for Southern WV MVP.
🏆 Coach of the Year -Jeremiah Pettry- Sherman 🌊
Jeremiah Pettry earns Coach of the Year honors after leading Sherman to the Class A state championship and another memorable season in Seth. The Tide finished 27-9 overall, went unbeaten in conference play and saved some of their best baseball for the postseason.
Sherman defeated Madonna 10-0, shut out Pendleton County 3-0 in the state semifinals and then defeated Gilmer County 4-1 to capture the championship. The Tide played disciplined, fundamentally sound baseball and consistently appeared prepared for every situation.
Pettry had one of the state’s best players in Tagliente, but Sherman’s championship was not built around one person. It required contributions throughout the lineup, dependable defense and a pitching staff capable of handling postseason pressure. Pettry brought all of those pieces together and had his team playing its best baseball when the championship was on the line.
🏆Golden Glove —Trenton Tolliver - PikeView - Jr 🐾
Defense is what separated Trenton Tolliver from the rest. The PikeView catcher finished with a .973 fielding percentage while serving as the leader behind the plate and one of the most dependable defensive players in Southern West Virginia.
Tolliver’s value went well beyond the plays that appeared in the scorebook. He handled the pitching staff, received the baseball well, blocked pitches in the dirt and controlled the running game with confidence. His quick release and arm strength made runners think twice before attempting to take an extra base.
Most importantly, his pop time passes the eye test. Tolliver gets the baseball out of his glove quickly and uses compact, efficient mechanics to deliver accurate throws to the bases. Catchers with that type of defensive ability rarely remain overlooked for long, and he should begin attracting attention from major college programs soon.
Tolliver has since transferred from PikeView to Shady Spring, where he will begin the next chapter of his high school career.
🏆Silver Slugger -Kadyn Hines-James Monroe-Jr 💜
Kadyn Hines was one of the most feared offensive players in the state. The James Monroe standout hit .486 with a .578 on-base percentage and a .914 slugging percentage, finishing with 51 hits, 38 runs, 36 RBIs, 13 doubles, four triples and eight home runs.
Hines did not simply collect hits—he consistently produced damage. He combined elite bat speed with a balanced approach and showed the ability to drive the baseball into both gaps. Pitchers could not afford to make mistakes against him because he regularly turned hittable pitches into extra bases and runs.
There is an old belief that pitchers cannot hit, but pitchers can hit, and Kadyn Hines is walking proof. While also possessing an elite arm on the mound, Hines established himself as one of Southern West Virginia’s premier offensive players.
The West Virginia University signee has the production, approach and physical tools to become an impact bat aswell at the next level.
🏆Rookie of the Year -Trystan Lykins-Independence-Fr 🇺🇸
Trystan Lykins did not look like a freshman during his first varsity season at Independence. The young standout immediately became one of the Patriots’ most productive players, batting .405 with a .531 on-base percentage while recording 45 hits, 39 runs and 38 RBIs.
Lykins also added five doubles, a triple and two home runs while producing several important performances during Independence’s postseason run. His 38 RBIs placed him among the top young run producers in West Virginia and showed his ability to deliver with runners in scoring position. With three high school seasons remaining, Lykins has the potential to develop into one of Southern West Virginia’s biggest baseball stars!
What a year for baseball! And what a year for Southern WV! We still have to send out the last batch of golden funko pops but spring sports winners will be receiving the same! We'll post them as we do!
📷 JTs Sports Photos , Stacy Pack-Miller , Tina Laney Photography , Chris Shermantide Jarrell & WVSSAC
