By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director
The Collinsville Panthers (26-7) reached the second round of the Class 2A state baseball playoffs last season. A pair of freshmen in pitcher Gavin Lang and shortstop Mason McAteer were a big reason why.
Lang went 9-1 with a microscopic 0.76 ERA. He gave up only seven earned runs all season with 103 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings on the mound. He also batted .414 at the plate with nine doubles, five triples, two home runs, 13 walks, 19 stolen bases, 41 runs and 33 RBIs.
McAteer maintained a .513 batting average with seven doubles, five triples, 19 stolen bases, 13 walks 40 runs and 23 RBIs.
The Alabama Sports Writers Association took note of the freshmen sensations. They rewarded them with first-team spots on the Class 2A All-State Baseball Team, which was announced early Saturday morning.
In all, 11 area baseball players earned all-state recognition.
Class 1A Cedar Bluff had a second-team utility player on the second team in senior Kaden Pack. The Tigers also earned an honorable mention in junior outfielder Isaac Bishop.
Pack posted a 5-3 record on the mound with three saves, 71 strikeouts and a 1.85 ERA in almost 46 innings for the Tigers. He also batted .373 with three home runs, seven doubles, two triples, 12 walks, 10 stolen bases, 28 runs and 28 RBIs.
Bishop batted .467 with 10 doubles, a triple, 12 stolen bases, 24 walks, 26 runs and 26 RBIs.
Staying in Class 1A, Spring Garden senior outfielder/pitcher Chapel Pope earned a second-team spot at utility. Junior catcher/pitcher Connor Bates was also an honorable mention at utility.
Pope batted .304 with five doubles, a triple, 19 stolen bases, 10 walks, 25 runs and 12 RBIs. Bates batted .385 with six doubles, a triple, a home run, 17 runs and 15 RBIs.
Class 3A Piedmont had a first-team selection on the infield in senior McClane Mohon. Eighth grader Cole Austin earned a spot as a second-team utility player and junior Brodie Homesley was selected as an honorable mention pitcher.
Mohon batted .432 with 14 doubles, two triples, a home run, 17 stolen bases, eight walks, 36 runs and 48 RBIs. Austin went 6-5 with a no-hitter on the mound with 49 strikeouts and a 2.35 ERA in 50 2/3 innings. He also batted .333 with seven doubles, three triples, 13 stolen bases, 25 walks, 38 runs and 18 RBIs. Homesley, a lefty, went 6-4 with a save, 72 strikeouts and a 2.89 ERA in 55 2/3 innings.
Class 4A Cherokee County senior Jeb Crane earned a second-team spot on the infield, while senior Jace Turner was tabbed an honorable mention at catcher.
Crane batted .507 with 12 doubles, four home runs, 27 walks, eight stolen bases, 11 hit by pitches, 37 runs and 32 RBIs. Turner tallied a .377 average with six doubles, four home runs, 26 walks, seven stolen bases 24 runs and 16 RBIs.
You can see the complete ASWA All-State Baseball Teams on weisradio.com.