From Allen Cox, contributor

Now that the 2024-2025 baseball season has ended for the RHHS Wildcats, it's time to recognize our Richmond Hill High School student/athletes from arguably the strongest baseball region in the state, Region #1 6A. 

1st Team All-Region

• Co-Pitcher of the Year: Aiden Pluff (LH)

• Outfielder: Aiden Pluff (LF)

• Outfielder: Lee Johnson (CF)

• Infielder: Eli Howard (1B)

• Infielder: Tony Berry (2B)

2nd Team All-Region

• Pitcher: Landon Walker (RH)

• Infielder: Connor Gilkey (SS)

• Catcher: Grant Wagner (C)

Senior Pitcher/Left-Fielder, Aiden Pluff was outstanding this year as the Wildcat’s Game #1 starting pitcher, against our region opponents, and getting that so important, key Game #1 victory in the region series. 

When he wasn’t on the mound, he played the outfield like an everyday outfield starter, and excelled at the plate throughout the year. The Big Guy scored 10 runs, with 27 hits, and 9 of those hits being doubles. Pluff drove in 17 runs and had a batting average of .310. Pluff started 11 games on the mound, pitching 57 complete innings and struck out 76 batters. Aiden ended the season on fire and finished with an 8-1 record, with an ERA of 1.96. In the outfield Aiden was consistent all year, having had 33 fielding chances and only committing 3 errors. He also limited several base runners from getting extra bases, with that strong accurate arm. And in arguably the biggest game of the season, game #1 against the number #1 team in the state of Georgia, Aiden pitched a Cy Young-type gem, striking out 12 Etowah High batters, but unfortunately lost, 6-5, in extra innings.

Senior Center-Fielder, Lee Johnson, a James Madison University commit in football, had an outstanding year in centerfield and at the plate. Lee’s speed, arm strength and accuracy, along with his toughness and tenacity, were evident in centerfield and at the plate this year. 

Lee scored 30 runs, with 38 hits, and a batting average of .396. He hit 4 home runs (1 homerun was against Etowah HS, following Grant Wagner’s dinger) , drove in 30 RBI’s, and had 4 doubles. He also reached base 12 times by being hit by a pitched ball. Johnson stole 14 bases, and had a slugging percentage of .615. In centerfield, Lee had 75 chances to field a batted ball and committed only 2 errors. His fielding percentage for the season was 97%. He consistently ran down fly balls that would typically result in extra base hits, and demonstrated a rifle of an arm that limited many baserunners.

Junior First-Baseman Eli Howard had a terrific year in the field at first base and at the plate. Howard also pitched 18.1 innings, in 13 mound appearances, with an ERA south of 3. At first base Eli excelled, with 167 fielding chances, committing only 10 errors, and was involved in 7 double plays. At the plate Eli batted .298, collecting 25 hits, with 4 doubles, a homerun, and he scored 15 times. Eli did a little bit of it all this year for the Cats. He stole 5 bases without getting caught, collected 17 walks, and drove in 19 runs.

Senior Second-Baseman Tony Berry was exceptional this year at 2nd base, and in the lead off position in the batting order, which is so important to a team's success. Berry had 74 fielding chances at 2nd base, and only committed 10 errors. Berry’s speed and good eye for the strike zone was evident with 16 walks, and successfully stealing 12 bases in 13 attempts. He hit .300 for the year, with 27 hits, 4 doubles, and 2 triples. Berry was responsible for driving in 9 runs and scoring another 25 runs for the Wildcats.

Junior Pitcher, Landon Walker was outstanding this year as a newcomer to RHHS baseball. Landon started 9 games on the mound and pitched 54.1 innings for the Cats. Landon struck out 46 batters, which resulted in a 67% strikeout rate. Walker led the team with 174 first-pitch strikes on opposing batters. The first-pitch strike is so vital to the success of a pitcher, at any level of competition. Landon finished with a solid 4-4 win-loss record, and an ERA of 2.71. He did not allow a passed ball, and did not have any attempted stolen bases against him the entire year. He was also flawless on the mound fielding batted balls, not committing an error.

Senior Shortstop, Connor Gilkey was the glue that held the Wildcat defense together, game after game. His steady bat at the plate was also a tremendous asset for the Cats. Connor was steady in the field with 125 total fielding chances, and turning 6 double plays. At the plate, Connor hit .352, with 31 hits, 4 doubles, 2 long balls, and 19 RBI’s. Gilkey scored 27 runs and had 4 sacrifices. With his speed, he accounted for 7 at bats where he reached on an error, and stole 17 bases. 

Junior Catcher, Grant Wagner had a phenomenal year behind the plate and in the batter’s box. He stepped in to catch this year after playing in the infield the last couple of years, and did not miss a beat. His fielding skills and exceptional accurate and strong throwing arm was a true asset to the team, at such a key position. At the plate, Grant was consistently pitched around and even thrown at (10 HBP), to minimize his ability to get on base and drive in runs. Grant had 32 hits, with 25 RBI’s, and batted .340. He had 2 home runs (1 homerun was against Etowah HS), 12 doubles, and 6 fielder’s choices. Grant ended the season with a .471 on base percentage, and a slugging percentage of .532.

While we hate to see this outstanding group of 2025 RHHS Seniors (Tony Berry, Hunter Clark, Tyler Gilbert, Connor Gilkey, Jaxson Grant, Eli Howard, Lee Johnson, Jeffrey Neilson, Aiden Pluff, Colby Tanner) move on to the next chapter in their lives, we have a good group of student/athletes returning to Wildcat Baseball! 

Go Wildcats!

Allen Cox is a contributor for the Bryan County News.