A strong arm and hot bat were keys in the success of Northview’s No. 1 pitcher and this year’s Atmore Advance Player of the Year.

Chiefs senior Austin Reid made the most of his final season with Northview as he helped lead his team to a winning season and the second round of the state playoffs.

Reid’s impressive season started on the mound where he recorded a win-loss record of 8-3, while posting a 1.51 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 78 2/3 innings of work.

At the plate, the senior hit .382 with 26 hits, 25 RBI, four doubles and one home run.

After being informed he was the 2010 POY, Reid said he was proud of the accomplishment.

“It feels good,” Reid said. “I led my team this year, and did the best I could do every game. I’m proud to be the Player of the Year.”

Focus was an important factor for Reid whether he was out in the field, at the plate or on the mound.

Reid said whenever he pitched he always pushed for the same result.

“The entire season I was going for shutouts,” Reid said. “I was striving for wins and trying to keep runs of the scoreboard. It really helped our team confidence.”

From his coach’s standpoint, Reid is deserving of the Player of the Year honor because of his leadership.

Sid Wheatley said Reid was vital to the Chiefs’ success during the 2010 season.

“He is extremely deserving of Player of the Year,” Wheatley said. “He’s about as good on the mound as I have had. We always knew we had a chance to win whenever he was pitching, and that really helped the team’s confidence.”

As good as the wins were for Reid and the Chiefs, losses were even harder.

Reid said after one loss he spoke to his team on the bus and emphasized how important it was to make it to the playoffs.

“I remember talking to the team on the bus after we lost our first district game,” Reid said. “I told them that we needed to make a commitment to this season and to winning. We wanted to make past the first round of the playoffs, and we all worked to that goal.”

Making is past the first round of the playoffs was a goal for the Chiefs and that’s exactly what they did.

Their first round playoff game also happened to be in Reid’s mind as his best performance of the season.

Reid said the game against a strong Bonifay team was a great game from the mound.

“When we played Bonifay in the playoffs, they were 24-5,” Reid said. “I played really well against them with 12 strikeouts and even a couple hits. It was my best game of the year.”

His impressive performances during the season has earned him the opportunity to take his game to the next level.

Earlier in the month, Reid signed a Letter of Intent to play for Northwest Florida State College.

Reid said playing baseball beyond high school has always been a dream of his. He added Northwest Florida seemed to be the best fit for him.

“I’ve always wanted to play college baseball,” Reid said. “I’ve dreamed about about this opportunity and I’m excited about it. I decided to sign with them because they are going to put me in their rotation, and they really liked what they saw with me.”