Quite often, once they've graduated from high school, area athletes don't remain the focus of local sports fans - other than family, friends and some die-hards of course - so it's always nice to check in on how they're doing at the college or professional level.
Today, let's take a look at the pros around Eastern Ohio who are currently in action - Colt Keith, Colt Emerson and Turner Hill (baseball), Lilly Ritz (basketball), Zach Collaros. Najee Murray and Nate Davis (football).
Apologies if anyone has been missed...be sure to let me know.
Colt Keith – Biloxi (Mississippi) High School/native of Guernsey County – As a rookie, Keith has been the regular second baseman for the Detroit Tigers (he was a fifth-round draft pick in 2020).
Statistically, he is batting .229 (57-for-249) with four home runs, 24 RBI, 22 runs scored, 15 walks and four stolen bases. In mid-May, he was below the infamous “Mendoza Line” but a strong finish to the month got him back on track and a steady June including a pair of four-hit games has him headed upward. In the field, he has a solid .966 fielding average.
***
Colt Emerson – John Glenn High School – After a lengthy stay on the injured list, Emerson has returned to action with the Modesto (Calif.) Nuts (the Class A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners who drafted him No. 1 (22nd overall pick) in the 2023 MLB Draft).
In his first two games back, the talented shortstop went 2-for-6 to boost his season averaged to a solid .276 (21-of-76) with two home runs, 14 RBI and three stolen bases.
Modesto is 47-28 overall and atop the California League’s North Division.
***
Turner Hill – Marietta High School/Marietta College – Hill has bounced around early in his career since sighing a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.
After rookie ball last year, he’s already been with the Eugene Emeralds (Class A+), the Sacramento River Cats (Class AAA) and since June 25th he’s been a member of the Richmond (Va.) Flying Squirrels (Class AA).
His combined stats covering 57 games in 2024 include a .271 batting average (56-for-207) with 13 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 27 RBI, 32 runs scored, 29 walks and 16 stolen bases. Playing all three outfield positions (primarily center field), he has only committed four errors in more than 200 putouts.
***
Lilly Ritz – Cambridge High School/Youngstown State University – Ritz made the switch from professional basketball in Switzerland to Australia and she’s been flourishing for the Central District Lions thus far.
In 14 games, the 6-1 Ritz has scored 221 points (an average of 15.9 ppg) while collecting 152 rebounds (the team leader at 10.9 rbpg), 36 steals, 26 assists and 10 blocked shots. She is 101-for-156 from the field (64.7%) and 21-of-58 from the free throw line. The Central District Lions are 11-4 in NBL-1 Australia.
***
Zach Collaros – Steubenville High School/University of Cincinnati – Collaros is in his fifth year as quarterback of the Winnipeg Blue Bomers of the Canadian Football League. He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2021 and 2022, and led the Blue Bombers to four consecutive Grey Cup championship games, winning the title in 2019 and 2021.
This year, he’s 66-of-106 passing for 796 yards, with the Bombers off to an uncharacteristic 0-4 start. His career numbers in the CFL dating back to 2012 including time with the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger Cats and Saskatchewan Rough Riders include 145 games played, 2,288-of-3,414 passing for 29,385 yards with 182 TDs and 90 INTs along with 222 rushing attempts for 1,165 yards and 10 TDs.
***
Najee Murray – Steubenville High School/Kent State University – Murray is in his seventh year in the Canadian Football League, all with the Montreal Alouettes.
A defensive back/special teams performer, he has 16 tackles this season for the 4-0 Alouettes. For his career, Murray has played in 43 games with 141 tackles, 7 pass interceptions and 2 forced fumbles to his credit.
***
Nate Davis - Bellaire High School/Ball State University - Davis continues to display his talents in arena football, currently as quarterback of the San Diego Strike Force in the Indoor Football League.
Leading his team to a 9-5 record with two games to play, Davis has completed 236-of-390 passes for 2,548 yards and 61 touchdowns.
Among Davis' lengthy career credits for the 37-year-old Davis, he was Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year at Ball State in 2008 and was the IFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 playing for the Duke City Gladiators.
Related Posts
