By Robert Wilson

Germantown head baseball coach Chris Peden knows a thing or two about catching. 

He was the catcher on Seminary’s state championship team in 1996, played catcher at Jones County Junior College and was the bullpen catcher at Southern Miss when the Golden Eagles won 40 games and played in the Alabama regional in 2000. 

So when Peden says he has a good catcher, believe him.

And not only did his catcher play well last week behind the plate, he did at the plate also.

Germantown junior catcher Ashby Rayburn had a .625 batting average with two doubles and two runs batted in and helped the Mavericks to a sweep of Hernando in the best of three series in the first round of the MHSAA Class 7A playoffs.

For his outstanding performance, Rayburn has been named the Box Sports Academy/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Baseball Player of the Week.

Rayburn had two doubles and two RBIs in a 7-4 victory in Game 1 and then had three singles in a 14-4 victory in Game 2 last week.

He is hitting .313 with 23 RBIs, 5 doubles and 2 home runs and has helped Germantown to an 18-12 record and a No. 5 ranking in MHSAA Class 7A and No. 16 ranking in Mississippi by MaxPreps going into this week.

“Ashby has been a leader for us all year,” Peden said. “He has high energy. Ashby has been down in the order all year, but has been a consistent run producer. He is great behind the plate. We are really young on the mound. He has guided these young guys.  Ashby is an excellent blocker and thrower. He has turned himself into someone who will get to be an everyday catcher at the next level. He is great with our younger players, always hanging out with them. There is never a bad day around Ashby. He has really worked hard with our catching coach. Coach Taylor Spinks really improved his receiving this year.”

Rayburn is the son of Amanda and Otis Rayburn. Amanda played softball and soccer at Brandon High. Otis played baseball at Madison Central. Rayburn’s older brother, Cooper Rayburn, played baseball at Jackson Academy and is currently playing at Jones County Junior College. Rayburn’s two oldest brothers, McKay Rayburn and Christian Sherwood attended Germantown. Rayburn’s younger sister, Willow Rayburn attends Madison Crossing Elementary. 

Germantown plays Lewisburg in the quarterfinals of the 7A state playoffs this weekend. Game 1 is at Lewisburg Friday, Game 2 at Germantown Saturday, and if necessary, Game 3 at Lewisburg Monday.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

WEEK ONE: Deuce Jenkins, Jackson Academy 

WEEK TWO: Henry Abt, Hartfield Academy

WEEK THREE: Justin Word, Jackson Academy 

WEEK FOUR: Reed Sandberg, Madison Central

WEEK FIVE: Bryce Johnson, Germantown

WEEK SIX: Cash Myrick, St. Andrew’s 

WEEK SEVEN: John William Walker, St. Andrew’s