Ravenwood’s Wissmar, Bevis sweep Gateway Tire Athlete of the Week awards

Ravenwood High School senior Avery Wissmar and junior Blake Bevis were both selected as the Gateway Tire Athletes of the Week for the week ending April 18.

Wissmar produced a gem on the mound and contributed at the plate in the Lady Raptors 6-2 District 11-AAA win over Brentwood last week, while Bevis had several big games, including a six RBI-outing over the weekend for the Raptors baseball team.

The two were chosen as part of the Athletes of the Week awards sponsored by Gateway Tire & Service Center of Franklin. One male and one female athlete from Williamson County is selected and featured each week in the Williamson Herald.

Wissmar, a Georgetown signee, has been an all-around star for the Ravenwood softball team this year, coach Allison Brown said.

“She has been such a dominant force on the mound and in the batter’s box this season,” Brown said. “Avery gets most of her recognition as pitcher, but she really is a great hitter, too.

“She’s been disciplined in her approach and it’s paid off as she’s leading our team in all offensive categories.”

Last Tuesday, Wissmar did it all by striking out 17 and going 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI in a 6-2 District 11-AAA win over rival Brentwood. Wissmar surrendered just three hits with only one earned run in the complete game performance. The day before, in a 4-2 loss against Summit, Wissmar struck out 14, allowing two earned off four hits.

She has 125 strikeouts over 74 innings with a 1.797 ERA, while opponents are averaging just a .160 batting average against her on the mound. Wissmar is also leading the team with a .542 batting average.

“She is more relaxed and confident than I’ve ever seen her,” Brown added.

Ravenwood posted a 2-1 win over Centennial Tuesday with Wissmar racking up another 17 Ks throwing a one-hitter. She also singled. The Lady Raptors travel to Independence Thursday.

After picking up a save in a 2-0 win over Franklin and smashing the lone run on a solo homer in a 4-1 setback against the Admirals last week, Bevis further ignited at the plate.

The junior went 2-for-5 with another homer and a pair of RBIs in an 18-6 blowout win at Summit on Thursday. He followed that up with a 4-for-4 outing, including three doubles with six RBIs in a 17-4 win at Columbia Central.

“Blake is a great player in all phases of the game,” Ravenwood baseball coach Danny Borne said. “He does the little things in the game that help the team win.

“He has got hot at the plate and continues to have great outings on the mound to finish games.”

Borne called the four games “a snapshot” of Bevis’ abilities.

The Raptors took over the top spot in the District 11-AAA standings with an 8-2 win over Brentwood Tuesday. They cross the interstate to battle the Bruins again Thursday. Bevis scored two runs and drew three walks in Tuesday’s win.