GALLERY: ASWA names local players to All-State baseball, softball teams

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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The Alabama Sports Writers Association recently released its 2024 All-State baseball and softball teams with two coaches and 13 players from four Covington County schools being recognized.

All-State teams are compiled through submissions from coaches to sportswriters across the state and voted on by the ASWA prep committee. The organization selects a player, pitcher, hitter, and coach of the year in each of the AHSAA’s seven classifications and in the AISA.

Andalusia senior outfielder Parker Adams was selected to the Class 4A Second Team. Adams finished the season with a .418 batting average, five home runs, 28 RBIs, and 34 runs scored.

Florala junior infielder Dalton Jackson was named the Class 1A Hitter of the Year and batted .579 with eight home runs, 40 RBIs, and 34 runs scored. Jackson was also listed on the Class 1A First Team.

Tyler Zessin was selected as the Class 1A Coach of the Year and led the Wildcats to a school-record 25 wins and a state semi-final appearance.

Senior pitcher Cody Walsh also represented FHS on the Class 1A First Team with a 9-0 record, 117 strikeouts, and a 0.908 earned run average. C. Walsh also hit .455 on the season with two home runs, 30 RBIs, and 41 runs scored.

Sophomore pitcher Easton Walsh received a nod on the Class 1A Second Team with an 8-2 record, 117 strikeouts, and a 0.977 ERA. E. Walsh hit .418, collected 32 RBIs, and scored 36 runs.

Opp sophomore catcher Grady Patterson and senior outfielder Nelson Hall were chosen to the Class 3A First Team. Patterson earned a .378 batting average with 31 RBIs and 25 runs scored. Hall batted .468 with one home run, 39 RBIs, and 30 runs scored.

Senior pitcher Colby Ballard represented the Bobcats on the Class 3A Second Team. Ballard finished the year with a 6-1 record, 1.50 ERA, and 49 strikeouts in 42 innings.

Straughn sophomore infielder Matt Ashberry was also named to the Class 3A First Team. Ashberry tallied a .520 batting average, seven home runs, 30 RBIs, and 21 runs scored.

In softball, Opp senior pitcher Reese Cauley was selected as the Class 3A Player of the Year and also earned selections on both the Class 3A First Team and ASWA Super All-State Softball Team. Cauley batted .489 with 12 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 25 runs scored and went 28-4 in the circle with a 0.29 ERA and 334 strikeouts with five no-hitters and three perfect games.

David McVay was chosen as the Class 3A Coach of the Year and led the Lady Bobcats to their first state championship in program history and a school-record 43 wins.

Junior infielder Bradleigh Lanier was also named to the Class 3A First Team. Lanier had a .403 average, nine home runs, 56 RBIs, and 55 runs and earned a 10-2 record, 1.40 ERA, and 92 strikeouts.

Junior outfielder Jaidyn Ivey, senior designated hitter/shortstop Amaya Womack, and junior utility player Addison Moseley represented OHS in Class 3A Honorable Mention.