Local star Chris Kinsey has powered his way to the top of The State Hornet 2001-2002 Male Player of the Year ballot – literally.

The sophomore sensation leads the Hornets in eight major offensive categories, including a .314 batting average, 16 home runs and 53 RBI.

As a pitcher, Kinsey has posted a 3-4 record, along with a 6.85 ERA and 50 strikeouts.

It is Kinsey’s big bat, however, which sets him ahead of the field.

Kinsey’s 16 home runs on the season lead the Big West Conference, and place him fourth in the Hornet record book with seven games to go.

Harvey Hargrove holds the all-time Hornet record with 26 homers in 1997.

Kinsey needs only 12 more home runs to tie Hargrove for the Hornet career mark of 35.

“He’s only a sophomore, and to have as much weight on his shoulders that goes along with being a team leader, he’s done very well,” Hornet coach John Smith said.

Kinsey got off to a torrid start, hitting 11 home runs in his first 21 games, including three in one game against the University of California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, on March 16.

In the Cal Poly game, Kinsey went 4-for-5 with four runs and eight RBI.

The three home runs set a program record, while the eight RBI placed him second all-time.

In a Feb. 16 game with Saint Mary’s College, Kinsey hit a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Hornets a 7-6 win over the Gaels.

A week later, in game No. 1 of a doubleheader with Centenary College at Hornet Field, Kinsey hit another two-run, walk-off home run.

This time the homer came in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Hornets a 5-3 win.

In game No. 2 vs. Centenary, Kinsey hit a mammoth home run that struck near the top of the parking garage facade in left-center field.

Kinsey’s top pitching performance came in an April 9 game versus the University of California, Davis, at Raley Field.

Kinsey pitched nine shutout innings, while yielding only three hits in the Hornets’ 7-0 pasting of their Causeway rivals.

The first baseman attended Laguna Creek High School in Elk Grove, Calif. where he was named The Sacramento Bee High School Player of the Year.

In his senior year of high school, Kinsey hit .463 and chalked up a perfect 10-0 record on the mound to earn Co-MVP honors.

Coming out of high school, Kinsey was scouted by several major league teams, but decided to attend Sac State, knowing solid play at the collegiate level could improve his draft status.

Kinsey will next be eligible for the major league draft after his junior year, and Smith feels he has the potential to be selected in the top ten rounds.

“(Major league scouts) like his power and they like the fact that he throws 90-to-91 (miles per hour) as a pitcher,” Smith said.

In his freshman year with the Hornets, Kinsey hit .277 with seven home runs and 24 RBI. He also posted a 1-4 record as a pitcher with a 7.39 ERA.

At 19 years old, who knows how far this Hornet can fly.

But judging by the distance of his home runs, he might just fly over the walls of major league stadiums.

Honorable Mention

Jonathon Davis, track & field: Took 55-meter indoor title with time of 6.33. He also currently leads the Big Sky with a 10.57 in the 100-meter dash.

Sharif Zaher, tennis: Won second consecutive Big Sky MVP award. Finished 2002 season with a 13-8 record. Led the Hornets to their second consecutive Big Sky title.

Ryan Leadingham, football: Earned Big Sky Honorable Mention honors after a stellar freshman year. At quarterback, Leadingham set a program record for single-season passing yards with 2,752. He also threw for 17 touchdowns.