YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | This week, Young Harris Baseball's Jeremy Begora was named Conference Carolinas Player of the Week and Austin Ritchie was awarded Conference Carolinas Pitcher of the Week! 

The senior first baseman has been a force at the plate, a hitter that no one wants to face right now. Begora has slowly begun to heat up over the course of the season, but it's happening at the right time. His best performances have come against regionally ranked opponents, specifically Conference Carolinas opponent the University of Mount Olive this week. 

On the 2025 campaign, Begora has a .330 AVG, 13 HR, and 37 total RBI. These are great numbers; however, it's been the last four games for Begora that have been eye-catching. In his last 17 plate appearances, Begora has 10 H, 5 HR, and 11 RBI. Over this period, he holds higher than a .588 AVG at the plate. 

Looking at the Conference Carolina's big picture, Begora is currently #15 in batting average (.347), #3 in slugging percentage (.723), #3 in on-base percentage (0.507), and #2 in home runs (11 - #1 is YH Baseball's Kade Smallwood with 12). 

Begora's presence alone in the batter's box has been enough to scare away pitchers. In addition to his hitting frenzy that is going on, Begora is currently tied for second in Conference Carolinas in hit-by-pitch numbers with 18. 

While Begora has been terrorizing pitchers at the plate, Austin Ritchie has been just as dominant on the mound. Ritchie shut down the Trojans of UMO on Saturday afternoon in game two of the three-game series. The Mountain Lions won the game, 10-0, with Ritchie locating all game long. It only took 83 pitches for Ritchie to earn the seven-inning complete game shutout. 

In the dominant victory, Ritchie allowed just six Trojans to reach base and chopped down five UMO hitters via the strikeout. His control, composure, and command were on full display as he carved through the Trojan lineup. Ritchie earned his sixth win of the season and secured the series win for Young Harris over UMO. 

Ritchie's elite performance wasn't a one-time display either. His ability to attack the zone and control the pace of the game has made him a nightmare for opposing hitters. 

Jeremy Begora, Austin Ritchie, and the rest of the Mountain Lions return to action this Tuesday, where they will take on Tusculum University in a midweek matchup at Zell B. Miller Field.