Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
By Chris McCarthy, Publisher/Editor
Class 2A state champion Westbrook Christian was well represented on the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 2021 All-State baseball teams.
Five WCS players were selected, including two on the first team. The Warriors came one category shy of sweeping the honors awards, as Samuel Dutton was named both Pitcher of the Year and Player of the Year and Matt Kennedy was selected Coach of the Year. Dutton and teammate Will Noles both were named to the 2A first team pitching staff.
After missing the second round of the state baseball playoffs with a shoulder injury, Dutton (pictured above) was the team’s designated hitter in the quarterfinals and returned to centerfield for the semifinals and championship series. His production played a big part in the Warriors’ first-ever state championship on May 18 in Montgomery.
Dutton put up some stellar numbers on the mound this past season. In 53 innings, he allowed 14 hits, three earned runs and five walks while striking out 117 batters. He went 9-0 and posted a 0.39 earned run average, which was the sixth-lowest all-time in the state for one season. Dutton pitched seven shutouts that included four no-hitters and one perfect game. According to the Alabama High School Athletic Association season records, Dutton’s ERA was the sixth-lowest all-time, his four no-hitters tied for first all-time and his seven shutouts tied for fifth all-time. His 32 and two-third consecutive scoreless innings this season was fifth all-time. In 97 at-bats, Dutton finished with 50 hits (including nine doubles and one triple), four home runs, 39 RBI, a .515 batting average and a .621 on-base percentage.
For his high school varsity career from 2017 to 2021, Dutton posted the lowest career ERA at 0.77; finished 19th in strikeouts with 377 and finished 26th in career wins with 29.
Noles, who will play baseball at UAH, was named MVP of the Class 2A state championship series after pitching a five-hit shutout in Game 1. In 80.2 innings, he allowed 11 earned runs and 28 walks while striking out 135 and posting a 0.955 ERA. He threw five shutouts, including one no-hitter. Noles went 11-2 overall and was undefeated in postseason play with a 5-0 record, including shutouts in the first round, semifinals and finals. At the plate, Noles batted .446 with 50 hits, nine doubles, two triples, two home runs, 39 RBI and an on-base percentage of .552.
Making the Class 3A ASWA first team were senior pitcher Payton Lemons and senior catcher Drake Rainey from Hokes Bluff. Lemons was the Eagles’ ace with 120 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA. Rainey, who played primarily at catcher, hit .461 for the season.
Two Westbrook players made the ASWA second team in senior shortstop Fisher Glasgow and junior first baseman/pitcher Brodie Self. Glasgow batted .371 with a .503 on-base percentage along with 43 hits, 46 runs and 21 RBI. Self finished with 35 hits (including seven doubles and three home runs), 26 RBI, a .304 batting average and a .399 on-base percentage. In 24 innings, he posted an ERA of 0.87 while allowing 22 hits, three earned runs and seven walks with 20 strikeouts. In his third career varsity start and first-ever in the postseason, Self threw a five-hitter in the Warriors’ 11-1 victory over G.W. Long in the second game of the Class 2A state championship series.
Also making the second team were West End senior shortstop Eli Pearce (DH) in Class 2A, Southside senior Jacob Little (utility) in Class 6A and Sardis senior pitcher Blaze Gerhart in Class 5A. In 22 games, Pearce hit .484 with 31 hits, 23 runs, 11 RBI and 23 steals with an on-base percentage of .612. In 53 innings, Gerhart allowed 39 hits, seven earned runs and 18 walks with 69 strikeouts and an earned run average of 0.92. He went 6-1 as the Lions made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
Receiving honorable mention recognition were Westbrook senior catcher Cole Patterson (utility) in 2A, Etowah sophomore outfielder Caleb Freeman in Class 4A and Sardis junior outfielder Brody Samples (utility) in 5A. Patterson, who signed with Lawson State for baseball, finished the season with 37 hits, 33 RBI, a .325 batting average and a .404 on-base percentage. In 37 postseason at-bats, he batted .486 with 18 hits. Defensively, he caught 12 shutouts, four no-hitters and one perfect game. Freeman contributed 33 hits, 17 RBI, 10 steals, a .446 batting average and a .554 on-base percentage to a Blue Devil team that qualified for the state playoffs.
Samples batted .404 with 42 hits, 25 runs, 19 RBI and an on-base percentage of .488. In 62 innings, he struck out 94 while allowing 22 hits, 14 earned runs and 38 walks with an ERA of 1.58.
Kennedy, who stepped down as Westbrook head baseball coach earlier this month, guided the 2021 Warriors to a 29-9 record, a 14th consecutive area title and a state championship.
2021 ASWA All-State baseball
Class 7A
First team
Pitcher
Chase Allsup, Sr., Dothan
Riley Quick, Jr., Hewitt-Trussville
Grant Taylor, Sr., Florence
Jack Tullier, Sr., Auburn
Catcher
Max Soliz Jr., Sr., Bob Jones
Infield
Slate Alford, Sr., Bob Jones
Ryan Austin, Sr., Auburn
Zeke Bishop, Sr., Florence
A.J. Causey, Sr., Sparkman
Outfield
Sean Agsalud, Sr., Hoover
Jack Buening, So., Sparkman
Jayven Williams, Jr., Baker
Utility
Will Turner, Sr., Auburn
Eli Zielinski, Jr., Daphne
Designated Hitter
Davis Gillespie, Jr., Oak Mountain
Jackson McCreless, Sr., Florence
Second team
Pitcher
Will Cannon, Sr., Central-Phenix City
Matthew Hawsey, Sr., Hoover
Trent Hodgdon, Sr., Smiths Station
Slade Wood, Jr., Prattville
Catcher
Stone Lawless, so., Huntsville
Infield
Brodie Capps, Jr., Central-Phenix City
Logan Collins, Jr, Smiths Station.
Te’Relle George-Mills, Sr., Dothan
Parker Sessison, Sr., Enterprise
Outfield
Ta’Marion Bolling, Sr., Jeff Davis
Trey Burrell, Sr., Hewitt-Trussville
Logan Hittle, Sr., Bob Jones
Utility
Jakob Lewis, Sr., Sparkman
Caleb Mahan, Jr., Florence
Designated Hitter
Cam Brock, Sr., Fairhope
Travis Stauter, Jr., Prattville
Honorable mention
Pitcher
Cole Kehoe, Sr., Central-Phenix City
Catcher
Lucas Steele, Jr., Hoover
Infield
Logan Braunschweig, Sr., Thompson
Outfield
Ethan Duhon, Jr., Hewitt-Trussville
Brody Tuinder, Fr., Mary Montgomery
Utility
Maddox Macrory, Jr., Oak Mountain
Player of the Year
Grant Taylor, Florence
Pitcher of the Year
Riley Quick, Hewitt-Trussville
Hitter of the Year
Slate Alford, Bob Jones
Coach of the Year
Matt Cimo, Auburn
Class 6A
First team:
Pitcher
Connor Ball, Sr., Chelsea
Peyton Bell, Sr., Faith Academy
Elliott Bray, Jr., Hartselle
Pico Kohn, Sr., Chilton County
Catcher
Daniel Stewart, Sr., Hazel Green
Infield
Gabe Broadus, Sr., Faith Academy
Kyle Morrison, Jr., Wetumpka
Brody Moss, Sr., Helena
Brennen Norton, Sr., Cullman
Outfield
Parker Carlson, Sr., Faith Academy
Trey Higgins, Sr., Oxford
Ryan Storey, Jr., Helena
Utility
Michael Hopkinson, Sr., Faith Academy
Thrasher Steed, Jr., Gulf Shores
Designated Hitter
Carson Alvis, Sr., Jasper
Kline Smith, Sr., Saraland
Second team
Pitcher
Jeb Bartle, Sr., Cullman
Trey Mooney, Sr., Oxford
Jacob Peters, Sr., Helena
Payte Williams, Sr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Catcher
Tyler Jon Santos, Sr., Helena
Infield
John Hall, Sr., Homewood
Hess Horne, Sr., Eufaula
Luke Price, Jr., Buckhorn
Carter Sheehan, So., Calera
Outfield
Jeremy Hawkins, Sr., Shades Valley
Braxton Hughes, Sr., Saraland
Luke Williams, Jr., Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa
Utility
Jacob Little, Sr., Southside
Dee Bonner, Sr., Lee-Montgomery
Designated Hitter
Griff Minor, Sr., Helena
Wade Penny, Jr., Mortimer Jordan
Honorable Mention
Pitcher
John Michael Pickens, Jr., Hueytown
Jaxon Shineflew, So., Wetumpka
Catcher
Brooks Bryan, Jr., Opelika
Sage Givens, Jr., Robertsdale
Infield
Carter Johnson, Fr., Oxford
Mayson Slaughter, Sr., Jasper
Outfield
Spencer Arceneaux, Sr., McGill-Toolen Catholic
Justin Brunson, Jr., Baldwin County
Utility
Ethan Black, Sr., Eufaula
Designated Hitter
C.T. Englebert, Jr., Saraland
Player of the Year
Brennen Norton, Cullman
Pitcher of the Year
Pico Kohn, Chilton County
Hitter of the Year
Trey Higgins, Oxford
Coach of the Year
William Booth, Hartselle
Class 5A
First team
Pitcher
Maddux Bruns, Sr., UMS-Wright
Bryce Cunningham, Sr., Headland
Emitt Green, Jr., Russellville
Wesley Wright, Sr., Alexandria
Catcher
Jackson Hirschler, Sr., Madison Academy
Infield
Jackson Lindsey, Sr., Russellville
Will Passeau, Sr., St. Paul’s Episcopal
JT Pennington, Sr., Shelby County
Grant Walker, Sr., Sylacauga
Outfield
Lane Cook, Jr., Rehobeth
Zach Johnson, Jr., Moody
Alex Wade, Jr., Madison Academy
Utility
Boyd Ogles, Sr., Central-Clay County
Clay Slagle, Sr., Pike Road
Designated Hitter
Luke Hogan, Sr., Ardmore
Joe Watkins, Sr., Rehobeth
Second team
Pitcher
Blaze Gerhart, Sr., Sardis
Lucas Baggett, Jr., Pike Road
Cole Cheatham, Sr., Ardmore
Carson Snow, So., Hayden
Catcher
Tanner Wells, Sr., Rehobeth
Infield
Ayden Amis, Jr., Andalusia
Cole Barnett, Sr., Russellville
Sean Darnell, Jr., Elmore County
Sam Wade, Jr., Alexandria
Outfield
Gavin Brown, So., Corner
J.P. Fox, Sr., Shelby County
Austin West, Jr., Alexandria
Utility
Colin Daniel, Jr., Corner
Kai Watson, Sr., Madison Academy
Designated Hitter
Landan Hodges, So., Beauregard
Avery Seaton, Sr., Madison Academy
Honorable Mention
Pitcher
Luke Fondren, Sr., St. Clair County
Rowe Gallagher, Sr., Russellville
Catcher
Clayten Gough, Jr., Tallassee
Infield
Shermaine Hollis, Jr., Parker
Outfield
Will Landers, So., Leeds
Cole Blaylock, So., UMS-Wright
Utility
Brody Samples, Jr., Sardis
Player of the Year
Maddux Bruns, UMS-Wright
Pitcher of the Year
Maddux Bruns, UMS-Wright
Hitter of the Year
Jackson Lindsey, Russellville
Coach of the Year
Chris Heaps, Russellville
Class 4A
First team
Pitcher
Luke Hodge, Jr., Oneonta
Kelly Lanier, Jr., Mobile Christian
Nathan Shelton, Sr., American Christian
Catcher
Grant Jay, Jr., Mobile Christian
Infield
Tanner Bailey, Jr., Gordo
Landon Barnes, Jr., North Jackson
Charlie Keller, Jr., Mobile Christian
Mason Mann, Sr., Priceville
Outfield
Will Moye, Sr., Oneonta
Brandon Poole, Sr., North Jackson
Rashad Robinson, Sr., Mobile Christian
Utility
Tyler Daniel, Sr., White Plains
Carson Smith, Fr., North Jackson
Designated Hitter
Hayden Redding, Sr., Mobile Christian
Hunter Sute, Sr., American Christian
Second team
Pitcher
Carson Howard, Sr., St. James
Eli Jackson, Jr., Hamilton
Colin Patterson, So., West Limestone
Parker Willingham, Sr., Deshler
Catcher
Brayden Buckner, Sr., Deshler
Infield
Zach Campbell, So., Hanceville
Coleman Oliver, Sr., Jacksonville
Walker Pruett, Jr., Cherokee County
Jacob Woder, Sr., Curry
Outfield
Kyle Handy, Sr., Jackson
Brodie Naramore, Jr., Curry
Thorne Slaton, Sr., West Limestone
Utility
Cody Posey, Sr., Montevallo
Connor Wilson, So., Cherokee County
Designated Hitter
Bo Burkes, Jr., Bibb County
Cade Horton, Sr., Bibb County
Honorable Mention
Pitcher
Logan Martin, Jr., West Limestone
Luke Smith, Sr., Curry
Catcher
Juan Canales, Jr., Jacksonville
Will Haynes, Jr., Curry
Infield
Jae-Taj Morris, Jr., Jacksonville
Zac Westbrook, Sr., Alabama Christian
Outfield
Caleb Freeman, So., Etowah
Nick Whitten, Sr., Deshler
Utility
Jaden Chatman, Sr., White Plains
Player of the Year
Charlie Keller, Mobile Christian
Pitcher of the Year
Ben Capps, Gordo
Hitter of the Year
Grant Jay, Mobile Christian
Coach of the Year
Tyler Hall, Handley
Class 3A
First team
Pitcher
Josh Gunther, So., Bayside Academy
Blake Jernigan, Sr., T.R. Miller
Payton Lemons, Sr., Hokes Bluff
Mason Swinney, Jr., Phil Campbell
Catcher
Jack Hayes, So., Piedmont
Infield
Austen Baker, Sr., Phil Campbell
Jordan Fomby, Sr., Childersburg
Jake Smith, Jr., Providence Christian
Sean Smith, Sr., Piedmont
Outfield
Abe Chancellor, Sr., Providence Christian
Brodey Lentz, Jr., Lauderdale County
Ike Rowell, Sr., Fyffe
Utility
Tanner Cowart, Sr., Fyffe
Austin Estes, Jr., Piedmont
Designated Hitter
Drake Rainey, Sr., Hokes Bluff
Robert Rucando, Sr., Bayside Academy
Second team
Pitcher
Konnor Baswell, Sr., Ohatchee
Brody Cook, Sr., Winfield
Harrison Mims, So., Providence Christian
Ridge Raper, Sr., Phil Campbell
Catcher
Bryant Anthony, So., Phil Campbell
Infield
Hunter Busha, Jr., Winfield
Rickey Garrett, Jr., Saks
Noah Reedy, Jr., Piedmont
Jett Smith, Sr., Walter Wellborn
Outfield
Ian Ezell, Jr., Clements
Devin Howell, So., Ohatchee
Dylan Parker, Sr., Danville
Utility
Jackson Glover, Jr., Wicksburg
Braydon Harvin, Sr., Houston Academy
Designated Hitter
Gabe Bryant, Jr., Reeltown
Brayden Dempsey, Jr., Walter Wellborn
Honorable Mention
Pitcher
Brady James, Sr., Opp
Thomas McKinley, Sr., Dadeville
Catcher
Ethan Cox, Jr., Opp
Infield
Tucker Jackson, Jr., Houston Academy
Outfield
Logan Lee, Sr., Reeltown
Nick Turner, Jr., Flomaton
Utility
Miles Edwards, Fr., Lauderdale County
Designated Hitter
Josh Gandy, Jr., Excel
Mykell Murrah, So., Elkmont
Player of the Year
Mason Swinney, Phil Campbell
Pitcher of the Year
Josh Gunther, Bayside Academy
Hitter of the Year
Jack Hayes, Piedmont
Coach of the Year
Jonathan Raper, Phil Campbell
Class 2A
First team
Pitcher
Samuel Dutton, Sr., Westbrook Christian
Nash Evans, Sr., Ariton
Landon Gowens, Jr., Spring Garden
Will Noles, Sr., Westbrook Christian
Catcher
Luke Welsh, Sr., Spring Garden
Infield
Eli Davenport, Jr., Ranburne
Peyton Higgins, Sr., Mars Hill
Trevor Morris, Jr., G.W. Long
Wyatt Tomlin, Sr., Falkville
Outfield
Caden Burnett, So., Falkville
Nash Rippen, Jr., Decatur Heritage
Landon Thrash, Sr., Ariton
Utility
Bryce Eddington, Sr., St. Luke’s
Jaxon Langley, Jr., Ranburne
Designated Hitter
Joshua Bowerman, Jr., Mars Hill Bible
Ben Jackson, Jr., Ranburne
Second team
Pitcher
Tyler Founds, Jr., Decatur Heritage
Colton Hooper, Jr., Falkville
Jackson Chancey, Jr., G.W. Long
Avery Malone, Sr., Leroy
Catcher
Peyton Sallee, Sr., Falkville
Infield
Baker Porter, Sr., Colbert County
Logan Wood, Sr., Sand Rock
Josh Neutze, Sr., St. Luke’s
Fisher Glasgow, Sr., Westbrook Christian
Outfield
Landon Tyler, So., Ariton
Blayne McDaniel, Jr., G.W. Long
Parker Huff, Fr., Hatton
Utility
Brodie Self, Jr., Westbrook Christian
Carson Dunlap, Sr., G.W. Long
Designated Hitter
Wilson Terry, Sr., Hatton
Eli Pearce, Sr., West End
Honorable Mention
Pitcher
Ethan Benford, Sr., Colbert County
Catcher
Maddux Terry, Sr., Decatur Heritage
Cade Mitchell, Jr., Ranburne
Infield
Eyan Davis, Jr., Vincent
Eli Edgil, So., Winston County
Outfield
Aaron Stearns, Sr., Leroy
Utility
Cole Patterson, Sr., Westbrook Christian
Player of the Year
Samuel Dutton, Westbrook Christian
Pitcher of the Year
Samuel Dutton, Westbrook Christian
Hitter of the Year
Luke Welsh, Spring Garden
Coach of the Year
Matt Kennedy, Westbrook Christian
Class 1A
First team
Pitcher
John Malone, So., Bayshore Christian
Mark Nichols, Sr., Brantley
Brandon Hill, Sr., Lynn
Trace Luker, Jr., Sweet Water
Catcher
Sam Hogue, Jr., Lindsay Lane
Infield
Luke Werneth, Sr., Bayshore Christian
Tucker Kilcrease, Jr., Brantley
Judson Billings, Jr., Donoho
Seth Knight, So., Marion County
Outfield
Slade Haney, Jr., Donoho
CJ White, Sr., Sweet Water
Troy McKinney, Sr., Winterboro
Utility
Streed Crooms, So., Bayshore Christian
Lucas Elliott, So., Donoho
Designated Hitter
Jack Kennedy, Sr., Brantley
Tyler Ingle, Jr., Sumiton Christian
Second team
Pitcher
Mikael Bryant, So., Bayshore Christian
Blake Willingham, Jr., Donoho
Chance Majors, Sr., Lynn
William Etheridge, Fr., Sweet Water
Catcher
Dalton Daniels, Sr., Brantley
Infield
Carson Jones, Sr., Brantley
Nic Thompson, Fr., Donoho
Colton Pahman, Jr., Faith Christian
Michael Alan Cole, Jr., Sweet Water
Outfield
Max Morrison, So., Lindsay Lane
Jaland Lewis-Horton, Jr., Sweet Water
Tucker Livings, Sr., Red Level
Utility
Cale Sumblin, So., Kinston
Brodie Dodson, Jr., Faith Christian
Designated Hitter
Brady Whitworth, Fr., Faith Christian
Gavin Scott, Sr., Waterloo
Honorable Mention:
Catcher
Connor Abernathy, Jr., Athens Bible
Infield
Kacen Pierce, Sr., Athens Bible
Cole Dean, 8th grade, Bayshore Christian
Outfield
Yancey Young, Fr., Sumiton Christian
Utility
Corey Teague, Sr., Cedar Bluff
Designated Hitter
Brody Hamm, Sr., Winterboro
Baylor Williams, Jr., Millry
Player of the Year
John Malone, Bayshore Christian
Pitcher of the Year
Trace Luker, Sweet Water
Hitter of the Year
Tucker Kilcrease, Brantley
Coach of the Y ear
Steve Gendron, Donoho