Joey MacMillan
KENNETT — Two fourth-graders from opposite ends of Chester County are the first KAU Players of the Week for the 2013 season.
Joey MacMillan of the Minor A Division Lehman & Pastino team helped his squad to a 2-0 record during the first week. He recorded the game-winning hit in the 6th inning of an 11-10 victory over To-Jo Mushrooms and his heads-up base running led to several other runs as well. Manager David Smiddy said, “Joey is always the team player. In addition to his on-the-field play, he has demonstrated tremendous sportsmanship.”
MacMillan, who is 10 years old, attends New Garden Elementary School. He is active in the Math 24 Club and plays violin. This is his fifth year playing KAU, where he started learning the sport during T-ball. MacMillan also plays basketball through the Kennett Area YMCA and the Kennett Area Parks and Recreation Board programs. He is the son of John and Julia MacMillan of New Garden Township.
Ben Kirkland, a member of the Minor A Fox’s Pizza squad, is off to a solid start. Most recently, Ben went 3-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a tightly contested 9-8 win over Horizon Services. From his position at shortstop, Ben made a perfect relay to the catcher to throw out the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning and end the game in dramatic style.
Kirkland has played on KAU’s District 28 Championship Team as an 8- and 9-year-old, as well as on the Kennett Knights travel team. A student at Pocopson Elementary School, he is the son of Chrissy and Scott Kirkland of Pocopson. He began playing baseball as a KAU t-baller five years ago. He enjoys playing basketball, doing puzzles, drawing, and participating in Cub Scouts.
