Crothersville High School baseball coach Jared Richey said the school, families and community have made his four years as coach special.

“A lot of people say that the worst part of coaching is dealing with the parents, and I can’t say that,” he said during the school’s spring awards banquet.

The banquet included awards for the baseball, boys and girls track and boys golf teams.

“Parents did everything by keeping the kids focused, bought them to practice — even the 6 a.m. ones — brought food on doubleheaders and everything,” Richey said.

He then thanked the kids that participated in the program.

“It’s easy to coach when you have such a good team behind you,” he said.

Richey announced he will be leaving the program as he and his wife are expecting.

Logan Brewer was named most valuable player, Trevor Peters won the pitching award and Jacob James was given the mental attitude award.

“If you had nine of him (James), you would have an incredible team,” he said after discussing James’ dedication to the team.

Richey said Peters put in the work and brings intensity to the team.

“He’s a one-of-a-kind guy and as a pitcher, he dominates,” he said.

As Richey looked back throughout his time with the team, he shared the improvements. The team’s 4-12 record didn’t tell the whole story, he said.

“There were several games that we could have won or that got rained out,” he said. “It (record) doesn’t do justice to the work these guys put in.”

The team improved its batting average from .140 when Richey started in 2015 to now .280. They scored nine runs in his first season and finished 2018 with 54 in less games.

“These guys were always about improving,” he said.

Coach Cheryl Nehrt presented awards for the girls track and field team. The team only had eight competitors but placed third in the conference. They missed second place by only five points, she said.

When it came time to decide who should receive the mental attitude award, Nehrt had difficulty picking.

“All the girls could have won the mental attitude award,” she said.

Nehrt turned to her team to take a vote. They selected Piper Hensley.

“Piper is great and would do anything you’d ask her to,” she said.

Makayla Helt was selected as the most improved athlete for the team. Grace Wilson and Isabell Lewis tied for most valuable runner with 98 points.

Noah Hoskins received the mental attitude award and most valuable fielder. Coach Carl Bowman became emotional when he discussed Hoskins being the only senior and leaving the team.

“He’s one of those kids if you come across him, you know he’s been raised right,” he said. “It won’t hit me until next year when he’s not out there with us.”

Lane Wienhorst received the most improved award, and Dylan Maschino was the most valuable runner.

The school’s six golfers also had success this season by winning four matches.

The mental attitude went to Brandon Riley, most improved went to Quinten Keasler and the most valuable player went to Will Amick.