Michael Kroll
With high expectations for a dominant 2010 season the Dolphins have relied upon a strong veteran presence to fight off any pressure, and those veterans have played great. The Dolphins just capped off a Division II State Championship to conclude what has been a great season, and the work of this week’s Athlete of the Week, first baseman Michael Kroll, helped Cape Henry position themselves for that title run.
Through the course of the 2010 season Kroll has been consistently productive at the plate, and more recently he has terrorized opposing pitchers. He is 3rd on the team with a .382 batting average, 2nd on the team in slugging percentage with a .650 and has an on base percentage of .480. He has hit seven doubles, three home runs and has driven in 17 runs.
“Michael has contributed to the club’s success in multiple ways throughout the season,” head coach Ryan Morris said. “But his offensive presence in our lineup has made everyone around him better. “
Over the course of the TCIS tournament that couldn’t have been more evident. Kroll helped the Dolphins get into the TCIS championship game, and he did so with consistent and clutch hitting.
Against Hampton Roads Academy on the last day of the regular season, Kroll helped the Dolphins close out an extra innings battle. Tied at 2-2 in the 8th inning, Kroll stepped to the plate and laced a game-winning single to secure the #2 seed in the conference tournament, and he didn’t stop there.
Kroll opened the TCIS tournament on the mound against Norfolk Christian, and he pitched a gem. He confused the Christian batters all day en route to a one-hit victory, securing the Dolphins a spot in the TCIS semifinals against Hampton Roads Academy, and once again Kroll showcased his sense of timing, hitting another game winning single to move Cape Henry into the conference title game.
“Michael has the physical strength and abilities to be one of the better hitters in our league, but his approach is the key to his success,” Morris continued. “His approach at the plate has matured throughout this season, and I believe this is what has sparked the results as of late.”
The late season success helped the Dolphins position themselves well for the Division II state tournament run, and that run ended beautifully. Cape Henry won its opening round game against Atlantic Shores thanks again to Kroll’s timing. Tied 4-4 in the bottom of the 7th inning Michael walked to the plate and launched a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence for the walk off victory. The win secured Cape Henry with another date against Greenbrier Christian, and this time the Dolphins hammered the state’s #1 team. From there, destiny was locked in, and Cape Henry took care of business in the state finals, earning the school its first ever baseball state championship.
“Michaels best tool is his competitive nature,” Morris finished. “When he can control that he can be very dangerous.”
And dangerous he was down the stretch. That production showcased his talents across the state, and it is one of the many reasons the Cape Henry baseball program is celebrating its coronation as the best baseball team in Virginia’s Division 2.
