KENNETT — KAU’s Players of the Week both have been selected by their coaches for their willingness to encourage their teammates. Kevin Wessels of the Intermediate Division and Nick Ford of the Minor A Division are this week’s honorees.
Wessels, who plays for the Exelon squad, had two multiple-hit games during the week. “All season long, he has a shown a wide range at shortstop and has been hard to hit as a pitcher,” said team manager Rich Hauptschein. “He has become one of our team leaders by not just what he does on the field but how he helps to encourage all the other players to stay alert and do their best.” Earlier in the season, Wessels showed his power by hitting two “over the fence” home runs in the same inning, including a grand slam.
Wessels, age 12, is a 7th grader at Kennett Middle School. He has played KAU baseball for seven years, and has been named an all-star the past four years. He also plays football for the Kennett Middle School. He is the son of John and Bernadette Wessels of Kennett Township.
Second-year player Nick Ford plays for the Al’s Sporting Goods team. He hit his first home run—driving in three runs–last Tuesday. Manager Michael Wolfe said Ford “brings a lot of energy to the team. He keeps our guys pumped up even when we are down.”
The 11-year-old is in 5th grade at New Garden Elementary School. He began playing baseball after he moved to the area from New Jersey last year. He is the son of Lucille Ford/Tedesco and Michael Tedesco of New Garden Township.
Earlier, a pair of catchers were named the KAU Players of the Week for May 26.
Morgan Mullin of the KAU Majors Softball Team highlighted her week with a walk-off triple to defeat Avon Grove. The Kennett Middle School 6th grader “is the first one cheering and picking her teammates up,” said Manager Bob Panati. “She plays the game the right way: always going all out and hustling on and off the field.”
Mullin has played KAU softball for four years and has been named an All-Star for two. She also is a catcher of the Maryland Legends travel softball team. The daughter of Jamey and Pat Mullin of Landenberg/New Garden township, she is an avid deer hunter.
Shawn Carroll of the Minor A Division Horizon Services team was selected “because he never gets down about anything and that is an important quality for a catcher,” said Manager Mike Piergalline. “He is an excellent catcher who rarely lets any pitch get past him.”
The 10-year-old Carroll has played at KAU for five years, starting in the T-Ball Division. He attends the 5th grade at Bancroft Elementary School and enjoys studying science. Carroll also plays football for The Kennett-Unionville Titans and basketball for the Kennett Area YMCA and the Kennett Area Parks and Recreation Board League. He is the son of Rachel and Shawn Carroll of New Garden Township