Playoffs create great choices for ‘Prep’ award: Jacobson, O’Malley and Seidler

The playoffs are in full force on the high school diamond, and several players have come up big to lead their respective clubs deep into the playoffs.

Here are three – plus some really good honorable mentions – that have done more than their share to keep their teams’ title hopes alive. The group includes one player that has become a regular on this list – but is still searching for his first weekly award.

THIS WEEK’S ‘PREP BALLPLAYER’ FINALISTS

Sam Jacobson, Sr., C/1B, Howard

Jacobson’s big week at the plate led Howard to the regional title and state semifinals. In three games against Dulaney, Sherwood and Springbrook, the senior went 4-for-9 with three doubles, one single, two walks, five runs and four RBIs.

Ethan O’Malley, Sr., RHP/C, Severn School

It’s hard to have a better all-around game when it counted than O’Malley, who threw six solid innings and then went behind the plate to finish off Severn’s 7-3 win in the MIAA B Conference playoffs against defending champion Boys’ Latin, forcing a title game. O’Malley also went 2-for-3 with one RBI against a team that hadn’t lost in the tourney.

Joe Seidler, Jr., INF/RHP, Chesapeake-AA

Seidler was a key factor in Chesapeake’s run to the state semifinals. In the regional final against River Hill, the junior threw a complete game shutout, giving up three hits while striking out four. He also threw a perfect inning of relief against Bennett with two strikeouts. In three games at the plate, Seidler went 5-for-10 with two doubles, three singles, three RBIs and one run. This is his third nomination in 2017.

Honorable mentions: Andy Abbott (Hereford), Ryan Calvert (La Plata), A.J. Javitt (St. John’s Frederick), Matt Hentschel (Calvert Hall), Ryan Kulick (Howard), Josh Mann (River Hill), Joseph Murphy (Calvert Hall), Dillon Oxyer (Chesapeake), Alex Rozner (Severn).

If you’re visiting our ‘Prep Ballplayer’ voting for the first time, here’s how things work: Three candidates are revealed each Monday. You can vote – early and often – for the finalist you believe should be our winner. Voting ends every Thursday night and the winner is announced each Friday.