Crissinger collects All-Sentinel Player of the Year
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FAIRMONT - Joey Crissinger didn't bat an eye. He's seen too much baseball to do so.
On May 30, Fairmont faced early adversity during its quarterfinal matchup against New London-Spicer in the 2026 Section 3AA Tournament. The Wildcat's three-run first frame loomed large for Fairmont. They had done nothing offensively early on to counter. But it all changed in the third inning.
Jensen Livesay got things started after searing a baseball over the center field fence. Cardinal fans and teammates jolted with energy across Legion Field in Marshall. Emotions were high for everyone.
Following this act is a tall task. The buzz around the field would have anyone changing their approach at the plate, vying to potentially overswing in hopes of replicating Livesay's heroics. But this didn't impact Crissinger. In fact, he already called the outcome of the at-bat before it even happened.
"In my first at-bat, he [Logan Swenson] got me out on a curveball that I popped up to second base," Crissinger said. "I just knew he was going to throw me a first-pitch curveball. I was telling everyone that he was going to throw it over the heart of the plate, and I'm going to hit it over the fence."
"Jensen hit one right before me, and it didn't change my mindset at all," he continued. "It was going to be the first pitch, and it would be really cool if I did this."
As soon as Crissinger made contact with the cowhide leather, he knew it was gone. The sound of his barrel told everyone else the same. Flicking his bat high in the air and trotting down the first base line, Crissinger once again gave Fairmont a big hit in a big moment. Something that was virtually routine during his powerful 2026 spring season.
"It's just through my experience," Crissinger said. "I've played so much baseball in my life and been put through a lot of situations. I wouldn't say every situation, because there are so many you can be in. But my experience in big-time at-bats, I've been there before, so I know how to handle it."
Crissinger ended his junior campaign with blistering offensive statistics. His .494 batting average and .590 on-base percentage were fueled by 13 doubles, three triples and six home runs. The 41 total hits helped bring in 40 Fairmont runs.
It was this impact on the Cardinals’ success that has brought Crissinger the title of 2026 All-Sentinel Baseball Player of the Year.
The same confidence Crissinger displayed before hitting his fifth home run of the season is how he always intends to play the game. There's a certain looseness and composure whenever he sets foot on the field. From fielding groundballs to preparing in the on-deck circle, this composure reads of someone ready to make the next moment his best.
"I know baseball is a hard game. Mistakes are going to happen. Everyone makes mistakes," Crissinger said. "Just focus on the next pitch or the next at-bat. I try to trust my offseason training and my abilities. It's huge for me to be able to bounce back instead of thinking about it."
Crissinger also stepped up in another role this season. While he always touts himself as a vocal individual on the field and in his dugout, an emphasis on leadership carried throughout this past spring. His previous upperclass influences were no longer there. It was time for him to be one of the players his teammates looked up to.
"Ever since 8U and 9U, I've always been trying to be a leader on the team. But this year, I knew I definitely had to step up," Crissinger said. "I didn't have all the older guys like I did during my freshman year. Sophomore year, I tried to be a bigger leader there. But this year I knew I had to step up, lead the team and help everyone be in the right mindset."
Crissinger will need to further elevate this aspect of his game heading into next season. Fairmont is set to lose multiple key contributors to a team that finished runner-up in the Section 3AA Baseball Tournament with a 21-6 record.
He will take the same approach he did last spring. Playing with confidence and urging his teammates to do the same. Crissinger believes this is the best way to play the sport. Loose, and with a smile.
"I think all of us seniors will have a great impact because we will have a pretty young team next year," Crissinger said. "We are going to have to be vocal and be loud. We've all been around the game for a while, so we just need to teach them and make sure they stay calm in the big games that we will be in, hopefully."