Russellville’s Ray shines in AHSAA North-South All-Star Baseball Classic

The opportunity to play in an AHSAA All-Star game is literally one that comes along just once in a career for high school student-athletes. When given that opportunity at Riverwalk Stadium in Montgomery on Monday night, Russellville High School rising senior and baseball standout Tristan Ray took full advantage of it.

Ray, a Franklin Free Press All-County First Team catcher, played at multiple positions for the North All-Stars during their doubleheader against the South All-Stars and finished 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored over the two-game Classic series. 

In game one, which the North won 5-1, Ray gave the North a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning after his double to left field drove in Parker’s Terrion Nevels from second base. Ray would himself score later in the inning when a South error allowed him to come around, making it a 3-0 ballgame.

Ray added another hit, a single, in the fifth inning and then drew a walk in the seventh which allowed him to score the game’s final run after Brooks’ Gunner Johnson’s RBI single to right field.

In the second game, a game the South won 7-3, Ray finished 1-for-2 and was hit by a pitch. His one hit came in the top of the second inning—a single to right field. Ray also saw some time on the mound, pitching the final two innings of the game and allowing one unearned run off two hits.

“It was so much more than I expected. The level of competition was outstanding. It was such a great opportunity,” Ray told the FFP. “I appreciate Russellville City Schools for allowing me to represent them in such a prestigious event.”

For his efforts, the AHSAA Radio Network named Ray the AHSAA North Alabama Player of the Week.

Right after his selection as an All-Star was announced in May, Ray told the FFP he hoped to use the game as an opportunity to display his skill and talent. For the most part, Ray said, he was able to achieve that goal on Monday.

“I was 5-for-6 for on-base percentage. I had a big time double that scored a run and some big barrels throughout the day. Overall, offensively I hit the ball well and did what I needed to do.  Defensively, I didn’t get opportunities to showcase all of my talents but I did catch well and had no errors,” he said.

But just as importantly, Ray enjoyed playing in the moment.

“It was a great experience. I just finished back-to-back tournaments in Hoover and Atlanta and then the North-South event, so it’s like they saved the best for last,” he said. “I had a lot of fun, played with some great players across the state, and even tried new things. I even pitched two innings allowing only one run, but I’ll stick to catching! It was fun, but my heart’s behind the plate.”