Kent State's Connor Ashby Signs With Paints

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio - The Chillicothe Paints, presented by Adena Health System, announce the signing of infielder Connor Ashby for the upcoming 2022 season, which begins on the road at Champion City, Wednesday, June 1.

Ashby is currently in his first season with the Golden Flashes, playing in 15 games, including 14 starts, so far this season (as of April 19). The outfielder owns a .358 batting average, having collected 19 hits in 53 at bats, hitting two doubles, a triple, homering twice and driving in 14. Ashby has also stolen two bags on three attempts.

Twice this season, Ashby has been perfect at the plate, including a 4-for-4 effort off the bench in a win over Austin Peay in his first collegiate appearance and going 3-for-3 with his first collegiate home run and three RBIs against Northern Illinois

A native of North Canton, Ohio, Ashby is a graduate of Hoover High School, where he starred in both football and baseball. On the gridiron, Ashby set the school's career record for touchdowns accounted for, passing touchdowns and completions, along with a host of single-season records. He threw for 5,942 yards in his career, ranking in the top-10 all-time in Stark County, while his 67 touchdown passes rank fourth. He was named first-team All-Ohio in Division II. The three-star recruit had double-digit offers to play football at the DI level in college.

On the diamond, Ashby hit .359 in 85 varisty games at Hoover, hitting 10 doubles, six triples and a pair of home runs (both coming in his senior season). He drove in 43 career runs and scored 69. Ashby also swpied 37 bases in high school. Ashby was named the Federal League Player of the Year after his senior season.

The 6-foot-1 infielder is the son of Bryan Ashby, who is the Hoover High School baseball coach. Bryan also played quarterback for Vikings as well as baseball, before playing baseball at Kent State, where he was part of the 1992 Golden Flashes' team that won the team's first Mid-American Conference championship since 1964.

The Chillicothe Paints open the home portion of their season Thursday, June 2 at VA Memorial Stadium against the Champion City Kings at 7:05 p.m. Draft beer will be just $2 for Thirsty Thursday, thanks to Budweiser, and a Fireworks Extravaganza will follow, sponsored by 94 Country. Information regarding tickets, group outings, sponsorship opportunities and more is available by calling (740) 773-TEAM or by emailing the team at paints@bright.net.