By Chris McCarthy/Editor
Two local high school players were named to the first team and five other received honorable mention status for the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2014 All-State baseball teams.
Westbrook Christian senior Blaine Beaird was selected as the Class 2A first baseman, while Southside senior Drew Mullinax was one of four 5A pitchers.
Beaird was named the Class 2A Hitter of the Year after batting .496 with 58 hits, 14 home runs, 63 RBI, 33 runs and 18 doubles. He helped the Warriors finished with a 14-22 record after a 1-14 start, a 10th straight area title and a berth in the second round of the state playoffs.
As the anchor of the Panthers’ pitching staff, Mullinax posted a 0.96 earned run average and struck out 60 in 53.3 innings. He allowed only nine earned runs and eight walks. At the plate, Mullinax also was one of Southside’s top hitters, finishing with a .357 averaged with 46 hits, 32 RBI and 29 runs. Mullinax helped the Panthers finish with a 34-10 record and a finals state ranking of No. 4, win area and county championships and gain a berth in the Class 5A state quarterfinals. He signed a baseball scholarship in May with Montevallo.
Earning honorable mention were Southside senior catcher Matt West, Etowah senior second baseman Caleb Ledbetter and Southside senior centerfielder Blake Devine in 5A and Westbrook senior centerfielder Jake Kilgo and Gaston junior catcher Gabe Crain in 2A.
West had a team-high .432 batting average along with 41 hits, 29 RBI and 19 runs.
Ledbetter batted .425 with 30 RBI, 23 steals and a .993 fielding percentage while helping the Blue Devils to a 22-14 record and berth in the Class 5A state playoffs for the second year in a row. He signed a baseball scholarship last month with Lawson State.
Devine batted .424 with 54 hits, 47 runs, 23 RBI and 38 steals. He signed with Calhoun Community College in May.
Kilgo finished with a 404 batting average, a .573 slugging percentage, a .579 on base percentage, 36 hits, 38 runs, 11 RBI, 13 doubles and 18 steals. He signed a baseball scholarship last month with Southern Union.
In 24 games, Crain batted .471 with 33 hits, 17 RBI, 19 runs and 18 steals.
The complete ASWA All-State baseball teams are listed below.
Class 6A First Team
Pitcher
Brax Garrett, So., Foley, So; Braden Olive, Sr., Northview; Jake Walters, Sr., Thompson; Mason Duke, Jr., Spain Park
Catcher
Hayden White, Sr., Prattville
First base
Matthew Christian, Jr., Opelika
Second base
Lee Clark, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Third base
Kyle Wright, Sr., Buckhorn
Shortstop
Matt Sanders, Sr., Bob Jones
Outfield
Keith Holcombe, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa; Jamal Howard, Sr., Central-Phenix City; Sam Finnerty, Jr., Pelham
Designated hitter
Austin Haight, Sr., Spain Park; Tanner Burns, Fr., Decatur
Utility
Whitt Davis, Jr., Huntsville; Will Sipes, Jr., Sparkman
Pitcher of the Year: Jake Walters, Thompson
Hitter of the Year: Sam Finnerty, Pelham
Player of the Year: Sam Finnerty, Pelham
Coach of the Year: Will Smith, Spain Park
Class 6A Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Kyle Stuart, Jr., Northridge; Brock Anderson, So., Sparkman; Blake Rivera, So., Smiths Station
Catcher: Jarod Howell, Fr., Sparkman; Hunter Stovall, Jr., Pelham; Bradley Northcutt, So., Auburn; Chase Crump, Sr., Daphne
First base: Chance Willard, Sr., Hazel Green
Second base: Drew Odum, Jr., Mountain Brook; Grey Norton, Jr., Smiths Station
Third base: Caleb Lynn, Jr., Smiths Station; Brendan Donovan, Jr., Enterprise; Josh Flowers, Sr., Lee-Montgomery
Shortstop: Carter Pharis, Jr., Hewitt-Trussville
Outfield: A.C. Dantonio, Sr., Sparkman; Drew Avans, Sr., Thompson
Designated hitter: Cole Chiselko, Sr., Hoover; Brad Norman, Jr., Auburn
Utility: Jay Jordan, Jr., Dothan; Austin Williams, Sr., Hillcrest
Class 5A First Team
Pitcher
Drew Mullinax, Sr., Southside; Jesse McCord, Sr., Spanish Fort; Auston Neal, Sr., Cullman; Zac Rogers, Sr., Benjamin Russell
Catcher
Brian Lane, Sr., Spanish Fort
First base
Lance Cleveland, Sr., Cullman
Second base
Colton Thomas, Sr., Marbury
Third base
Tyler Oates, Sr., Demopolis
Shortstop
Jared Nixon, Jr., Marbury
Outfield
Malik Rosier, Sr., Faith Academy; Jordan Brown, Sr., Rehobeth; Owen Lovell, Fr., Cullman
Designated hitter
Brett Blackwood, Sr., Hartselle; Ben Rhodes, Sr., East Limestone
Utility
Ethan Simmons, Sr., Briarwood Christian; Will Luft, Sr., Spanish Fort
Pitcher of the Year: Jesse McCord, Spanish Fort
Hitter of the Year: Owen Lovell, Cullman
Player of the Year: Jesse McCord, Spanish Fort
Coach of the Year: Matt Ream, Rehobeth
Class 5A Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Tristan Davis, Sr., Pleasant Grove; Seth Arroyo, Sr., Rehobeth
Catcher: Matt West, Sr., Southside; Josh McDaniel, Sr., Brookwood
First base: Raequan Kelley, Sr., Eufaula
Second base: Caleb Ledbetter, Sr., Etowah
Third base: Brooks Wade, Sr., Walker
Shortstop: Strauss Outlaw, Jr., Carroll; Alan Smith, Jr., Fort Payne
Outfield: Rob Perteet, Sr., Spanish Fort;
Designated hitter: Blake Devine, Sr., Southside; Brett Powers, Sr., Carroll
Utility: Wes Crawford , Sr., Mortimer Jordan; KeWayne McCray, Sr., Brookwood
Class 4A First Team
Pitcher
Cody Reed, Sr., Ardmore; Jonah Todd, Sr., Oak Grove; John Michael Stephens, Sr., Charles Henderson, Garrett Deloney, Sr., Alabama Christian
Catcher
Chase Smartt, Jr., Charles Henderson
First base
Austin Ingram, Jr., Charles Henderson
Second base
Hunter Musso, Sr., Oneonta
Third base
Brady Bedingfield, Sr., Brooks
Shortstop Dalton Cobb, Jr., Alexandria
Outfield
John Johnson, Sr., Charles Henderson; Chandler Taylor, Jr., Alabama Christian; Luke Wall, Jr., Oneonta
Designated hitter
Riley Phillips, Jr., Brooks; Troy Dixon, Jr., UMS-Wright
Utility
Nathan Langley, Sr., Beauregard; Clayton Daniel, Sr., Guntersville
Pitcher of the Year: Cody Reed, Ardmore
Hitter of the Year: Chase Smartt, Charles Henderson
Player of the Year: Cody Reed, Ardmore
Coach of the Year: Andrew Smith, Ardmore
Class 4A Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Justin Scherzinger, Sr., Andalusia; Justin Whitley, Jr., Alexandria; Hunter Hood, Sr., Haleyville; Blake O’Bryant, Sr., Oneonta
Catcher: Jacob Twilley, Sr., Dora
First base: A.J. Wilder, Sr., Guntersville
Second base: Grant Barber, So., UMS-Wright; Zach Lightsey, Jr., Childersburg
Third base: Brandon Smith, Sr., Andalusia
Shortstop: Ko Powell, Sr., Oneonta
Outfield: T.J. Lockett, Sr., Bibb County
Designated hitter: Hunter Baggett, Sr., Charles Henderson; Peyton Logan, Sr., Childersburg
Utility: Parker Moman, Sr., Ashford
Class 3A First Team
Pitcher
Taylor Hayes, Fr., Piedmont; Taylor Clemons, Jr., Madison Academy; Tyler Craft, Sr., Colbert County; Jamison Roney, Jr. Geneva
Catcher
Matt Morgan, Thorsby, Sr.
First base
Carson McGregory, Sr., Deshler
Second base
Dalton Reach, Sr., American Christian
Third base
John David Isbell, Jr., Colbert County
Shortstop
John Trousdale, So., Lauderdale County
Outfield
J.T. Hyche, Jr., American Christian; Greg Lambert, Jr., Madison Academy; Nate Harcrow, Sr., Sipsey Valley
Designated hitter
Tyler Owens, Jr., Thorsby; Trent Jones, Jr., Hamilton
Utility
Chase Hamrick, Sr., Montevallo; Seth Hamilton, Sr., Clements
Pitcher of the Year: Taylor Clemons, Madison Academy
Hitter of the Year: Matt Morgan, Thorsby
Player of the Year: Matt Morgan, Thorsby
Coach of the Year: P.J. Guy, Sipsey Valley
Class 3A Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Payne Anderson, Jr., Plainview; Jonathan Pintaro, So., Montevallo; Patton Jones, Sr., Lauderdale County; Zach Reid, Sr., Trinity; Ethan Davis, Sr., Opp; Will Booth, Jr., American Christian; Cody Mills, Jr., Sipsey Valley; Kyle Davis, Jr., T.R. Miller
Catcher: Isaac Hardin, Jr., Hanceville; Caleb Spears, Sr., Plainview
First base: Austin Chastang, So., Bayside Academy
Second base: Daniel Rolf, Jr., Slocomb; Trace Johnston, Jr., Trinity
Third base: Bryan Rodopoulos, Jr., Catholic; Justin Thomas, So., Sipsey Valley
Shortstop: Hunter Slater, Sr., Bayside Academy; Blake Coward, Jr., Madison Academy
Outfield: Payton Young, So., Piedmont; Nick Mercier, Sr., Colbert Count; Caleb Squires, So., American Christian; Bo McLaughlin, Sr., Madison Academy
Designated hitter: Landen Davis, Jr., Sipsey Valley; Caid Cornelius, Sr., Lauderdale County
Utility: Eli Johnson, Jr., Opp; Cody Willingham, Jr., Plainview
Class 2A First Team
Pitcher
Ryan Ruggles, Sr., Sheffield; Kirk Maddox, Sr., Houston Academy; Heath McRae, Sr., Section; Braxton Wallace, Sr., Leroy
Catcher
Brady Johnson, So., Houston Academy
First base
Blaine Beaird, Sr., Westbrook Christian
Second base
Drake Beavers, Sr., Sheffield
Third base
Austin Odom, Jr., Luverne
Shortstop
Tanner Luker, Sr., Sweet Water
Outfield
Deacon Medders, So., Hale County; Ross Anderson, Sr., Section; Tristan Rice, Sr., G.W. Long
Designated hitter
Cody Goff, Sr., Section; Jaylon Jenkins, Fr., Ohatchee
Utility
Austin Fain, Jr., Ariton; Kenterius Womack, Jr., Luverne
Pitcher of the Year: Kirk Maddox, Houston Academy
Hitter of the Year: Blaine Beaird, Westbrook Christian
Player of the Year: Kirk Maddox, Houston Academy
Coach of the Year: Tony Kirkland, Houston Academy
Class 2A Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Kyle Cameron, Jr., Hale County; Hunter Avery, So., Mobile Christian
Catcher: Gabe Crain, Jr., Gaston; Colby White, So., Sulligent; Brett Baker, Jr., Sheffield
First base: Kyle Walker, So., G.W. Long
Second base: Jerrin Hester, Jr., Sulligent; Luke Anderson, Sr., Section
Third base: Ethan Jones, So., Fyffe; Calab Coaker, Jr., G.W. Long
Shortstop: Jeffrey Omohundro, So., Houston Academy; Ethan Jimmerson, Sr., Sand Rock
Outfield: Jake Kilgo, Sr., Westbrook Christian; Daniel Dees, Sr., Leroy; Tyler Ashley, So., Fyffe
Designated hitter: Austin Spann, So., Lamar County
Utility: Alec Reeves, Sr., Houston Academy; Justin Lee, Sr., Zion Chapel
Class 1A First Team
Pitcher
Leighton Lary, So., St. Luke’s; Austin Franklin, So., Florala; Weston Bonner, Sr., Berry; Zach Ivey, Sr., Athens Bible
Catcher
Trenton Simmons, Sr., Geneva County
First base
Drew Dismukes, Sr., St. Luke’s
Second base
Luke Phillips, Jr., St. Luke’s
Third base
Mitchell Boyd, Sr., Shoals Christian
Shortstop
Tanner Traglia, Sr., Shoals Christian
Outfield
Brandon Cook, Sr., St. Luke’s; Carter Corneil, Sr., Athens Bible; Dalton Davis, Jr., Billingsley
Designated hitter
Devante Dixon, Jr., Cedar Bluff
Designated hitter
Mikey Rogers, Sr., Shades Mountain Christian
Utility
Ryan Bradford, Jr., Falkville; Patrick Smith, Sr., Kinston
Pitcher of the Year: Leighton Lary, St. Luke’s
Hitter of the Year: Brandon Cook, St. Luke’s
Player of the Year: Brandon Cook, St. Luke’s
Coach of the Year: Bill Murrell, Athens Bible
Class 1A Honorable Mention
Pitcher: Garrison Mays, So., Lynn; Landon Lindsay, Jr., Geneva County; Matthew Sheffield, Jr., Georgiana
Catcher: Cole Murphy, Sr., Gaylesville; Colby Wheeler, Sr., Winterboro; Spencer Black, Sr., Sumiton Christian
First base: Weston Brasell, So., Fayetteville
Second base: Tristan Alexander, So., Sumiton Christian; Logan Bailey, Sr., Kinston
Third base: Will Rowell, Jr., Shades Mountain Christian
Shortstop: Evan Love, So., Sumiton Christian
Outfield: Dalton Cosby, Sr., Cedar Bluff; Zane McGrady, So., Fayetteville; Andrew Pelts, Sr., Winterboro
Designated hitter: Danny Haskell, Jr., St. Luke’s; Collin Fuller, Jr., Decatur Heritage
Utility: Grant Benefield, Sr., Spring Garden; Gable Lawson, Sr., Gaylesville; Harrison Boozer, So., Shades Mountain Christian