Mitch Keller of Xavier High School has been named the winner of the Metro Spotlight award for this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday night.

Keller helped the Saints reach the Class 4A state baseball tournament this year as a star pitcher and hitter. He compiled a 5-5 record and 1.72 ERA, with 91 strikeouts in 69.1 innings. Opponents hit only .194 against him all season.

Keller hit .347 with four home runs and 37 RBIs. He belted a dramatic three-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning against Prairie in the substate finals to send the Saints (25-16) to state.

Keller has committed to play baseball at the University of North Carolina, one of the top college programs in the country. He will be a senior at Xavier this year.

Here is our Question-and-Answer exchange with Keller:

MSR: What is your favorite moment as an individual athlete in sports?

MITCH: My favorite sports highlight as an individual athlete was when I pitched in Fort Myers, Fla. with the Iowa Select team at a Perfect Game national event and had 14 strikeouts.

MSR: What is your favorite moment as a member of a team?

MITCH: My favorite sports highlight as a member of a team would be making state this year, because it was a great experience and it was with some of my best friends.

MSR: Who has had the biggest influence on your sports career?

MITCH: My parents and my brother (Jon) have had the biggest impact on my sports career, because my parents have let me play with travel teams and let me be in a lot of showcases. My brother has taught me a lot about pitching, which has helped tremendously.

MSR: What are your future goals in sports?

MITCH: My future goals in baseball are to go to UNC and have a great career there and hopefully get drafted.

MSR: What have been your favorite subjects in school?

MITCH: My favorite subjects in school are probably history classes and math classes.

MSR: What has been your favorite community service project?

MITCH: My favorite community service project is Xavier's community service day every year. We do a lot of service around the community, and at the end of the day you feel really good about what you have done for the community.