All County Baseball: Finley an offensive powerhouse for West

Firebirds’ leadoff hitter a master of getting on base, scoring runs.

Unknown OSU kicker thrust into spotlight
9:10 p.m.
Cribbs expects to play Sunday against Lions
3:05 p.m.
OSU looking to extend winning streak over UM
11/21/09
Ohio State-Michigan series has slipped in stature
11/21/09
Coles dismayed as RedHawks lose again
11/21/09
> More sports headlines

By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer Updated 8:38 AM Monday, June 22, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Ricky Finley said he patterns himself after his favorite baseball player, Cincinnati Reds hall-of-famer Joe Morgan.

“He wasn’t a big guy, either,” Finley said, noting that Morgan played with a combination of speed and power.

That combination also describes Finley, the 5-foot-6, 160-pound Lakota West High School senior outfielder who is this year’s JournalNews Butler County Position Player of the Year.

Finley helped lead the Firebirds to a 23-6 record as their leadoff hitter by scoring a Lakota district record 54 runs, and he also stole 17 bases.

“He certainly had some great numbers,” Lakota West coach Bill Dreisbach said. “The most important statistic on the offensive side of baseball is scoring runs, and he scored 54 of the 294 runs we had this year. He was a huge part of our offense, to say the least.

“It all starts with the men on top (of the batting order),” Dreisbach said, “and he set the tone for us on many days. We’re going to miss him next year.”

Finley might have stolen even more bases, except that he also hit with enough power to collect nine doubles and five triples this season.

“For me being so small, I have pretty good power,” Finley noted. “Not home-run power, but getting doubles and triples makes it easier for the players behind me to knock me in.”

Finley said his father, Rick Finley Sr., is a big reason he has enjoyed so much success.

“He’s one of the people who influenced me in baseball, always there to help me out with my hitting, with lifting, helping me to get strong and faster,” the younger Finley said.

The talents of Finley, who will continue his career this fall at Wabash Valley College in Mount Carmel, Ill., are not limited to offense.

“He’s pretty versatile in the outfield, and he did a fine job for us,” Dreisbach said. “In his high school career, he never made an error.”

“That’s one thing I take pride in, defense,” Finley said. “Defense wins games.”

Share this article