RICHMOND, Va. | Ray Hedrick, Randolph-Macon head baseball coach, is the recipient of the 2019 Paul Keyes Richmond Baseball Impact (RBI) Award, as announced by the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
The Paul Keyes RBI (Richmond Baseball Impact) Award is given annually in memory of the late VCU baseball coach Paul Keyes to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the game of baseball within the Richmond community or from the Richmond community.
"We have known and admired Ray for his work, both on and off the field, for all of our ten years here," Flying Squirrels VP & COO Todd "Parney" Parnell said. "He affects his players for the rest of their lives, long after they leave Randolph-Macon. Coach Keyes and Coach Hedrick had a great relationship and that will make the evening even more personal and more special."
The award will be presented at the Flying Squirrels' annual Charity Hot Stove Banquet at the Siegel Center on January 23. Lee Smith, who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, will be the headline guest.
"People may not realize the impact Paul Keyes has had and continues to have on my career," Hedrick said. "To now be a recipient of this award named in his honor is arguably the most humbling recognition I have received in my 20 years of coaching."
Tickets, tables and sponsorship packages for the event are available here. Flying Squirrels Season Ticket Members are eligible for a discounted rate on tickets by contacting the front office.
Entering his 15th season at his alma mater, Hedrick was South Region, ODAC and State Coach of the Year in 2018 after leading R-MC to a 38-9-1 record, setting a program mark for victories in a season. The Yellow Jackets won their first regional title by sweeping four games at the Holly Springs Regional in North Carolina, their fifth regional appearance under Hedrick. R-MC finished tied for third in its first trip to the Division III World Series in Appleton, Wis. R-MC was ranked No. 1 for two weeks before finishing at No. 3 in both the ABCA/Collegiate Baseball poll and the D3baseball.com poll. The Yellow Jackets went 17-3 in ODAC play, claiming their first conference regular-season title since 1987.
R-MC is ranked No. 7 in the 2019 Collegiate Baseball Preseason Poll.
PAUL KEYES RBI AWARD RECIPIENTS
2011 | Eddie Kasko
2012 | Johnny Grubb
2013 | Gene Alley
2014 | Tracy Woodson
2015 | Sam Ayoub
2016 | Cla Meredith
2017 | Shawn Stiffler
2018 | Tony Beasley
2019 | Ray Hedrick
--- This release is courtesy of the Randolph-Macon College sports information department. ---
www.rmcathletics.com