By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
The recently released 2019 Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State baseball teams confirmed that it most definitely was a banner year for several local high schools.
Eight area players made the first team, including three each from Westbrook Christian and Hokes Bluff and one each from Southside and Etowah.
Highlighting the list was Westbrook’s Andrew Dutton (pictured above at right), who was selected as Class 2A Hitter of the Year. In 37 games, the junior second baseman batted .443 Average with an on-base percentage of .603, 40 hits, 50 RBI, 40 runs, six doubles, four triples and seven home runs. His stellar production helped the Warriors go 23-14, win the area title and make it to the state championship series for the first time since 2013.
Dutton’s brother Samuel was selected as first team pitcher for the second straight year. In 63.2 innings, the sophomore righthander finished with a minuscule 0.88 earned run average while allowing only eight earned runs, 35 hits and 23 walks. He fanned 110 batters and threw two no-hitters.
Joining the Duttons on the first team from Westbrook was junior outfielder Joseph Gilchrist, who hit .440 with 51 hits, 61 runs scored, 26 RBI and 10 doubles.
The Eagle trio of first-teamers were senior pitcher Dylan Teague, senior centerfielder Carson Eubanks and sophomore pitcher/infielder Payton Lemons. A first-team All-State pick in 2018, Teague went 11-1 on the mound this past season with a 2.03 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 76.1 innings. As the team’s leadoff hitter and two-time Offensive Player of the Year, Eubanks compiled a .440 batting average with 44 hits, 44 runs scored, 25 RBI and 18 stolen bases while striking out only 12 times. In 70 and one-third innings, Lemons went 12-1 while recording a 1.39 ERA with 88 strikeouts and only 14 earned runs. The threesome helped the Eagles go wire to wire in the regular season as the No. 1 ranked team in Class 4A with a 26-5 record, county and area championships and a second straight berth in the state semifinals.
After Southside won just eight games a year ago, first-year coach Shane Chappell guided the Panthers to a 25-12 record and a trip to the state quarterfinals. Junior pitcher/centerfielder Tyler Roberts, who was a first-team selection in the Class 5A outfield, was a key contributor to that success both at the plate and on the mound. He hit .391 with 47 hits, 35 runs scored, 21 RBI and eight doubles while pitching to a 6-0 record with a 2.03 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 60 and two-thirds innings.
A few miles up the road on Highway 77, Etowah senor pitcher Will Hotalen made the 5A first-team pitching staff by virtue of his 7-2 record, 1.11 ERA and 80 strikeouts in 51 innings. Hotalen had allowed just 22 walks and seven earned runs while helping the Blue Devils go 23-26 and make the second round of the state playoffs.
Named to the All-State second team were Southside sophomore pitcher Jacob Little, Etowah senior shortstop Austin Young, Etowah senior outfielder Jarren Wright and Hokes Bluff senior catcher Houston Edwards. In 71 innings as the ace of the Panther pitching staff this past season, Little went 7-2 with a 2.56 earned run average with 52 strikeouts. Young batted .407 with 44 hits, 45 runs scored and 34 steals, while Wright finished with a .435 batting average with 50 hits,
47 runs scored, 32 RBI, 12 doubles and 38 stolen bases. A four-year starter behind the plate, Edwards collected 37 hits – including seven doubles – and 28 RBI while batting .402. He allowed only three stolen bases all season.
Receiving honorable mention recognition were Westbrook senior catcher Greysen Robinson and Southside senior shortstop Brennan Stokes. Robinson had 35 hits, 45 RBI, 15 runs scored, nine doubles and three home runs while batting .312. Selected at the designation hitter position, Stokes hit .406 while coming up with 51 hits, 39 runs scored, 20 RBI, nine doubles and 20 steals.
2019 ASWA All-State Baseball
Class 7A first team
Pitcher
Chandler Best, Sr., McGill-Toolen Catholic
Matt Dailey, Sr., Huntsville
Michael Fowler, Jr., Hewitt Trussville
Jackson Kimbrell, Sr., Oak Mountain
Catcher
Nathan LaRue, Sr., McGill-Toolen Catholic
Infield
Mitchell Daly, Jr., Bob Jones
Cam Hill, Jr., Bob Jones
Tyler Mauldin, Jr., Hewitt-Trussville
Will Smith, Jr., Prattville
Outfield
Colton Ledbetter, Jr., Spain Park
Dylan Ray, Jr., Bob Jones
Landon Singley, Jr., Baker
Utility
Caden Rose, Jr., Bob Jones
Hunter Tillman, Sr., Theodore
Designated hitter
Colton Lewis, Sr., Vestavia Hills
Peyton Wilson, Sr., Hoover
Class 7A second team
Pitcher
Spencer Hadley, Sr., McGill-Toolen Catholic
Sam Maynard, Jr., Bob Jones
Daniel Swatek, Sr., Hoover
Grant Taylor, So., Florence
Catcher
John-Michael Riley, Sr., Bob Jones
Infield
Kendall Cribb, Jr., Theodore
Hunter Donaldson, Jr., Smiths Station
Jake Rivers, Jr., Oak Mountain
Colton Yeager, Sr., Mountain Brook
Outfield
Colten Carver, Sr., Bob Jones
Brantley Holden, Sr., Florence
Will Yarbro, Jr., Mountain Brook
Utility
Zane Faulk, Jr., Smiths Station
Grant Thornton, Sr., Enterprise
Designated hitter
Trevor Coleman, Sr., Mary Montgomery
Drew Murray, Jr., Baker
Class 7A honorable mention
Pitcher: Linden Samaha, Jr., Spain Park; McCain Sieving, Jr., Enterprise
Catcher: Matthew Nichols, Jr., Prattville
Infield: Zeke Bishop, So., Florence; Garner Phillips, Jr., Prattville; Cole Strachan, Jr., Sparkman; Grayson Throneberry, Sr., Austin
Outfield: Robby Ashford, Jr., Hoover; Michael Ellis, Sr., McGill-Toolen Catholic
Utility: Hunter Bettner, Sr., Fairhope; Nick Constantine, Jr., Huntsville
Designated hitter: Jackson Arnold, Sr., Auburn; Micah Morgan, Jr., Fairhope
Player of the Year
Chandler Best, McGill-Toolen Catholic
Hitter of the Year
Dylan Ray, Bob Jones
Pitcher of the Year
Chandler Best, McGill-Toolen Catholic
Coach of the Year
Tyler Minto, Baker
Class 6A first team
Pitcher
Logan Austin, Jr., Russell County
Connor Ball, So., Chelsea
Garrett McMillan, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Justin Perreault, Sr., Homewood
Catcher
Derrick Jackson, Jr., Buckhorn
Infield
Walt Bailey, Sr. Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Cooper Beck, Sr., Cullman
Jake Parr, Sr., Buckhorn
Caleb Marsh, Sr., Albertville
Outfield
Levi Clark, Sr., Saraland
Jordan Beck, Sr., Hazel Green
Zac Rice, Jr., Russell County
Utility
Luke Nolen, Sr., Hueytown
Brett Pitts, Jr., Benjamin Russell
Designated hitter
Jake Spivey, Sr., Oxford
Jackson McCreless, So., Muscle Shoals
Class 7A second team
Pitcher
Blake Burkhalter, Sr., Northview
Peyton Colvard, Sr., Cullman
Hunter McGriff, Sr., Hazel Green
Eli Giles, Jr., Faith Academy
Catcher
Garrett Gustafson, Sr., Hazel Green
Infield
Te’Relle George-Mills, So., Dothan
Tristain Stevens, Jr., Robertsdale
J.G. Bell, Jr., Faith Academy
Trey Higgins, So., Oxford
Outfield
Anthony Burden, Jr., Minor
Reese Howard, Sr., Oxford
Colton Wombles, 8th grade, Russell County
Utility
Trentin Dupper, Sr., Decatur
Jacob Tinnell, Sr., Chelsea
Designated hitter
Brodie Morrow, Fr., Hartselle
Jaden Page, Sr., Buckhorn
Class 6A honorable mention
Pitcher: Jacob Davis, Jr., Spanish Fort
Catcher: Noah Hill, Sr., Lee-Huntsville; Austin Embrey, Jr., Russell County
Infield: Brennen Norton, So., Cullman; Kash Ryan, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Outfield: Carter Frederick, Jr., Chelsea; Isaiah Pankey, Sr., Albertville
Utility: Jarin Turner, Sr., Oxford
Player of the Year
Jordan Beck, Hazel Green
Hitter of the Year
Jordan Beck, Hazel Green
Pitcher of the Year
Justin Perreault, Homewood
Coach of the Year
Brent Patterson, Cullman
Class 5A first team
Pitcher
Will Hotalen, Sr., Etowah
Brooks Cooner, Sr., Bibb County
Pico Kohn, So., Chilton County
Braden Hughes, Jr., Springville
Catcher
D.J. Law, Sr., Rehobeth
Infield
Wesley Helms, So., Briarwood Chr.
Jayden Sloan, Sr., Brewbaker Tech
Brock Huner, Sr., Charles Henderson
Will Hudson, Jr., Arab
Outfield
Tyler Roberts, Jr., Southside
Richard Brinson, Jr., UMS-Wright
Brandon Daniels, Sr., Springville
Utility
Jake Holifield, Sr., St. Paul’s Episcopal
Trey Dollar, Sr., Madison Academy
Designated hitter
Deuntae Childers, So., Chilton County
Cade Horton, So., Bibb County
Class 5A second team
Pitcher
Jacob Little, So., Southside
Cason Blackmon, Jr., Beauregard
Aubry Cleghorn, So., West Point
Ivan Cornelius, Sr., Springville
Catcher
Hunter Persall, Sr., West Point
Infield
Austin Young, Sr., Etowah
Skipper Snypes, Sr., UMS-Wright
Noah Primm, Sr., Alexandria
Brayden Rowe, Jr., Corner
Outfield
Jarren Wright, Sr., Etowah
Outfield
Zac Durham, Sr., Jasper
Casten Reed, Sr., Citronelle
Utility
Lane Rotch, Sr., Jackson
Carson McKinney, So., Briarwood Chr.
Designated hitter
Will Blocker, Jr., Tallassee, Jr.
Ryan Taylor, Sr., Alexandria, Sr.
Class 5A honorable mention
Pitcher: Noah Whatley, Sr., Briarwood Chr.; Christian Sr., Herberholz, Scottsboro; Austin Harris, Jr., Shelby County
Catcher: Hunter Briles, Sr., Russellville; Nick Mauldin, Jr., Sylacauga
Infield: Dyson James, Jr., Jackson; Reed Latimer, Sr., Scottsboro; Drew Watts, Sr., Bibb County; Cameron Baker, Jr., Chilton County
Outfield: Jaih Andrews, Jr., Ramsay; Brant Brown, Sr., Springville
Utility: Hogan Whitt, Jr., Ardmore; Jalen Borders, Sr., Alexandria
Designated Hitter: Brennan Stokes, Sr., Southside; Lawson Scarbrough, Sr., Charles Henderson; Jordan Ridgeway, Jr., Sylacauga
Player of the Year
Braden Hughes, Springville
Hitter of the Year
Brandon Daniels, Springville
Pitcher of the Year
Pico Kohn, Chilton County
Coach of the Year
Steve Renfroe, Briarwood Christian
Class 4A first team
Pitcher
Dylan Teague, Sr., Hokes Bluff
Drew Nobles, Sr., Holtville
Thorne Tapp, Sr., Brooks
Luke Daniel, Jr., Wilson
Catcher
Ethan Hearn, Sr., Mobile Christian, Sr.
Infield
Brandon Poole, So., North Jackson
Scott McAlpine, Sr., Haleyville
Carson Villalta, Jr., Brooks
Ethan Johnson, Sr., Cherokee County
Outfield
Carson Eubanks, Sr., Hokes Bluff
Taylor Henderson, Sr., Elmore County
Camden Lovrich, Sr., Trinity Presbyterian
Utility
Payton Lemons, So., Hokes Bluff
Cade Whitley, Jr., Sipsey Valley
Designated hitter
Jake Killingsworth, Jr., Headland
John Miller Lawson, So., Haleyville
Class 4A second team
Pitcher
Hunter Redding, Sr., Mobile Christian
Trace Bright, Sr., Trinity Presbyterian
Austin Downey, Sr., Elmore County
Brodie McCracken, So., Oneonta
Catcher
Houston Edwards, Sr., Hokes Bluff
Infield
J.T. Lastorka, Sr., Mobile Christian
Chip Morgan, Jr., Andalusia
Todd Davis, Jr., LAMP
Paul Andrzejewski, 8th grade, St. John Paul II Catholic
Outfield
Ashton Owens, Jr., West Morgan
Garrett Day, Fr., St. John Paul II Catholic
Christian Ivey, Jr., Catholic-Montgomery
Utility
Brycen Parrish, Jr., Wilson
Blake Bennett, Sr., Haleyville
Designated hitter
Brett Urban, Sr., Brooks
Josh Mims, Jr., Montevallo
Class 4A honorable mention
Pitcher: Walker Morgan, So., LAMP; John Matthews, Sr., North Jackson
Catcher: Chase Ison, Sr., Oak Grove
Infield: Jake Anderson, Sr., Clarke County; Brandon Moore, Jr., Sipsey Valley; Ben Johnson, Sr., Alabama Christian; Trayton Taft, Sr., American Christian
Outfield: Nick Walker, Sr., Priceville; Carson Garrett, Sr., Cherokee County
Utility: Mikey Forney, Fr., Holtville; Nick Whitten, So., Deshler
Player of the Year
Ethan Hearn, Mobile Christian
Hitter of the Year
Ethan Hearn, Mobile Christian
Pitcher of the Year
Drew Nobles, Holtville
Coach of the Year
Jacob Fowler, Brooks
Class 3A first team
Pitcher
Logan Pruitt, Sr., Piedmont
Grayson Stewart, Jr., Providence Christian
Brody Cook, So., Winfield
Ridge Raper, So., Phil Campbell
Catcher
Don Williams, Jr., Houston Academy
Infield
Jaylen Childs, Sr., Saks
Mason Mohon, Sr., Piedmont
Jackson Elkins, Sr., Winfield
Jake Outlaw, Sr., Dadeville
Outfield
Drew Porter, Jr., Gordo
Brock Hollingsworth, Jr., Winfield
Brayden Banner, Sr., Providence Christian
Utility
Jack Williamson, So., Winfield
Kade Snell, Jr., Wicksburg
Designated hitter
Slade Brown, Jr., Lauderdale County
Sean Smith, So., Piedmont
Class 3A second team
Pitcher
Clay Pilgrim, Sr., East Lawrence
Carson Howard, So., St. James
Blake Jernigan, So., T.R. Miller
Logan Ross, Sr., Opp
Catcher
Rilan Garrison, Jr., Phil Campbell
Infield
Nate Owens, Sr., Phil Campbell
Matthew Robinson, Sr., St. James
Preston Cox, Sr., Prattville Christian
Will Solomon, Sr., Providence
Outfield
Drew Bradley, Jr., Jr., Excel
Ashton James, Jr., Hanceville
T.J. Blackmon, So., Pike Road
Utility
Bryce Walter, Jr., Piedmont
David Warren, Sr., Providence Christian
Designated hitter
Coleman Wright, Sr., Providence Christian
Caden Best, Sr., Westminster Christian
Class 3A honorable mention
Pitcher: JonDawson Tittle, Sr., Oakman
Catcher: Wyn Brittain, So., T.R. Miller; Bailey Harrison, Jr., Westminster Christian
Infield: Tyler Cruse, Sr., Lexington; Brant Deerman, Jr., Piedmont; Brady James, So., Opp; Mason Coskrey, Sr., Geneva
Outfield: Cabel Mullenix, Sr., Gordo; Brock Woodham, Jr., St. James
Designated hitter: Corrigan Thibodeaux, Sr., Thomasville
Player of the Year
Grayson Stewart, Providence Christian
Hitter of the Year
Jaylen Childs, Saks
Pitcher of the Year
Grayson Stewart, Providence Christian
Coach of the Year
Mike Cassady, Opp
Class 2A first team
Pitcher
Samuel Dutton, So., Westbrook Christian
Matt Snell, Sr., G.W. Long
Trent Jones, Sr., Thorsby
Peyton Wesson, Sr., Fayetteville
Catcher
Tanner Jones, So., Thorsby
Infield
Andrew Dutton, Jr., Westbrook Christian
Solomon Foster, Jr., Leroy
Kolby Bragwell, Sr., Red Bay
Carson Fain, Sr., Ariton
Outfield
Joseph Gilchrist, Jr., Westbrook Christian
Carter Sample, Jr., Decatur Heritage
Christian Collier, Sr., G.W. Long, Sr.
Utility
Joe Hicks, Sr., Sumiton Christian
Tay Brantley, Sr., Luverne
Designated hitter
Robbie Albright, Sr., Vincent
Bryan Galloway, Jr., Goshen
Second team
Pitcher
Kade Moseley, Jr., Leroy
Luke Hampton, Jr., Cedar Bluff
Baker Wilson, Jr., Decatur Heritage
Landon Mura, Sr., J.U. Blacksher
Catcher
Slade Simmons, Sr., G.W. Long
Infield
J.T. Hoffman, Jr., Highland Home
Heath Bolton, Sr., Decatur Heritage
McGwire Stanley, Jr., Goshen
Tobey Powell, Sr., Luverne
Outfield
Hunter Dixon, Sr., Cottage Hill Christian
Jacob Lockhart, Jr., Thorsby
Justin Stiefel, So., Fyffe
Utility
Grant Taylor, Sr., Horseshoe Bend
Jordan Coachman, Sr., Cottonwood
Designated hitter
Ross Johnson, Sr., Cedar Bluff
Chase Allen, Sr., Red Bay
Class 2A honorable mention
Pitcher: Caison Long, Jr., G.W. Long; Grant Woodruff, Sr., Cottage Hill Christian
Catcher: Greysen Robinson, Sr., Westbrook Christian
Infield: Samuel Cosby, Jr., Cedar Bluff; Cade Ballenger, So., Sand Rock; Mike Evans, Sr., Cottage Hill Christian; Lucas Craft, Sr., Colbert County
Outfield: C.J. Bunn, Sr., Sumiton Christian; Kam Faria, Sr., G.W. Long
Utility: Tucker Patterson, Jr., Thorsby.; Cade McKinney, Sr., Red Bay
Designated hitter: Daniel Phillips, Sr., Highland Home
Player of the Year
Matt Snell, G.W. Long
Hitter of the Year
Andrew Dutton, Westbrook Christian
Pitcher of the Year
Matt Snell, G.W. Long
Coach of the Year
Richard Maggerise, Red Bay
Class 1A first team
Pitcher
Lain Jordan, Sr., Millry
J.T. Etheridge, Jr., Sweet Water
Parker Odom, Sr., Brantley
Colby Slayton, Jr., Spring Garden
Catcher
Tate Warr, Jr., Millry
Infield
Lee Yeager, Sr., Victory Christian
Peyton Higgins, So., Mars Hill Bible
Trey Lewis, Jr., Millry
Hall Billings, Sr., Donoho
Outfield
Luke Ivey, Sr., Spring Garden
Sam Ragan, Sr., Mars Hill Bible
Greyson Layton, Sr., Brantley
Utility
Cade Abernathy, Sr., Athens Bible
Colt Smith, Sr., Mars Hill Bible
Designated hitter
Collin Huntley Sr., Mars Hill Bible
Luke Welsh, So., Spring Garden
Class 1A second team
Pitcher
Jake Kilcrease, Sr., Brantley
Gage Johns, Sr., Athens Bible
Bryce Eddington, So., St. Luke’s Episcopal
Josh Bowerman, Fr., Mars Hill Bible
Catcher
Grant Odom, Jr., Brantley
Infield
Weston Kirk, So., Spring Garden
Sam Contorno, Sr., Holy Spirit Catholic
Chance Majors, So., Lynn
Chance Broussard, Sr., Sweet Water
Outfield
J.D. Neutze, Sr., St. Luke’s Episcopal
John Norton, Jr., Millry
Austin Smith, Sr., Falkville, Sr.
Utility
Brayden Stordahl, Sr., Gaylesville
Braden Pyron, Sr., Marion County
Designated hitter
Michael Alan Cole, Fr., Sweet Water
Abraham Sargent, Sr., Victory Christian
Class 2A honorable mention
Pitcher: Matthew Usery, Sr., Athens Bible; Braden Cameron, Jr., Holy Spirit Catholic
Catcher: Jeremy Boler, Sr., Holy Spirit Catholic; Braiden Broussard, Jr., Sweet Water
Infield: Trey Bunch, Jr., St. Luke’s Episcopal; Jamal Antone, Sr., Georgiana; Bryce Dunn, Jr., Brantley; Hayden Hester, Jr., Waterloo
Designated hitter: Wyatt King, So., Falkville
Player of the Year
Colt Smith, Mars Hill Bible
Hitter of the Year
Tate Warr, Millry
Pitcher of the Year
J.T. Etheridge, Sweet Water
Coach of the Year
Ed Warrick, Millry