Hammonds head P-31 honorees

The Lancaster American Legion baseball teams returned to Post 31 on Monday night to be honored for their summer play.

A host of awards were presented, but the spotlight was clearly on a trio of players brothers Khoury Hammond and Trevor Hammond along with Andrew Smyre.

Khoury Hammond, a first baseman in the P-31 senior team, was presented the team MVP Award.

Trevor Hammond, the P-31 senior team catcher, reaped the David Dagenhart Award.

Smyre, the Post 31 junior team catcher, was named the team MVP after leading the squad to a first-ever state tournament berth.

Khoury Hammond, a Lancaster High School baseball product who plays baseball at USC-Lancaster, earned several awards. He along with Trevor Hammond were presented the Captain Awards. Khoury Hammond reaped All-League V honors with Josh Eubanks.

Eubanks also was awarded the Coaches Award.

Khoury Hammond also garnered the Mr. Post 31 Award.

This goes to someone who goes beyond the baseball field, said Post 31 athletic officer Mike Lucas.

Khoury Hammond, who completed his final season of Legion baseball play, was one of five players who reaped a Senior Award given to players in their final year of play. Outfielder Darius Cherry, pitcher J.R. Tripp, infielder Justin Hinson and pitcher Matt Woods were also presented Senior Awards.

Lucas also praised Trevor Hammond in presenting the Dagenhart Award, which is presented in memory of the late P-31 shortstop who died in a 1990 auto accident.

Trevor exemplifies what the award means, Lucas said. David had a special love for the game and Trevor does, too.

Second baseman Rico Robinson was presented the Rookie of the Year, while pitcher Jordan Workman was named the teams Most Improved Player.

Smyre led the Post 31 junior team honorees. He batted .400 and posted a .548 on-base percentage. Smyre was presented a junior team Captain Award along with Kendall Adams and Will Gaston. Smyre also was presented the Golden Glove Award.

Gaston, who belted five home runs, was presented the Offensive Player of the Year Award.

Infielder Ricky Lewis reaped the Coaches Award and Adam Eubanks was selected as the junior teams Rookie of the Year.

The P-31 junior team, the runner-up in League V, went 16-10 this season.

Lucas also presented a host of special awards, including the Ward Faulkenberry Award which was given to Legionnaire Eugene Bowers for his untiring work with the P-31 program.

The Faulkenberry Award is presented in memory of the late P-31 athletic officer.

Special Service Awards were also presented to Bennie Robinson, Gene Wallace, Fred Hicklin, Laura Lewis and Jeff Hammond.

Guest speaker Mike Prochaska, the USC-Lancaster baseball coach, provided words of wisdom.

You will never get to do this again, said Prochaska about playing Legion baseball. You need to enjoy this and be grateful for what you have. It goes fast.

A lot of Legion programs are folding, he said. The program you have here is unprecedented.

Prochaska noted three words to live by.

In our USC-L baseball program, its image, grades and using your God-given talent, he said. In life, its image, work ethic and accountability.