The voters didn’t hold his injury against him. Tim Clark, despite playing less than half a season for the Vermilion Sailors, was named Lorain County’s Mr. Baseball for 2009 at the county all-star game Saturday at All Pro Freight Stadium.
Clark’s season lasted less than a month. The left-handed pitcher headed for Cleveland State University next year was struck on the forehead by a line drive in a game April 24. He suffered fractured skull bones that required surgery and will require at least six months to heal.
Yet Clark’s 5-1 record, his 0.62 earned run average and his 46 strikeouts in 281/3 innings were statistics impressive enough to get him the award.
“I really didn’t think I would be able to receive this award, because I didn’t pitch many innings,” Clark said. “Yes, I’m surprised. But it’s a great honor.
“They probably covered my whole career,” Clark added. “I am sure that had a lot to do with it.”
Vermilion coach Jeff Keck confirmed that Clark’s body of work was taken into consideration for the award.
“The voters have always looked at what a kid has done over his entire career,” Keck said. “So I wasn’t surprised he won. I always thought he was deserving of it. I had tears in my eyes when I heard he had won.
“The stats aren’t what they would have been if Tim had played a whole year, but he still had an awesome high school career,” Keck continued. “He had definitely proven he’s a quality player. This shows the measure of respect he has around the county.”
In four seasons with the Sailors, Clark posted a 20-9 record with 194 strikeouts in 180 innings. Clark allowed 153 hits and 78 runs in his career. He allowed only 18 hits and four runs in 2009.
Clark is a three-time Gold Arm pitching award winner, a three-time All-West Shore Conference first-team selection, a three-time All-Lorain County Division II first-team selection and a three-time All-Ohio selection.
Vermilion was 10-1 when Clark was lost for the season and ended up 22-6. The 22 victories were the most in school history.
“I want to thank Coach Keck for giving me the chance to play all four years,” Clark said. “Baseball is a big part of the (Vermilion) community. I was proud to be a part of it.”
Contact Steve Byrne at 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com.

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