HobbsDailyReport.com
Conference champion East Lincoln High leads the All-Southern District 7 Athletic 2A baseball team with five picks and the league’s Offensive Player of the Year.
In selections voted on by the conference’s eight head coaches revealed late Friday night after Bunker Hill won the league tournament 12-2 in six innings over West Lincoln:
- The Mustangs’ Alec Burleson, a senior, was named the top offensive player in the conference. He pitches and also plays first base for East Lincoln.
- The Defensive Player of the Year went to Maiden pitcher Caden O’brien, a senior left-hander with an 8-0 record, an ERA of 0.70 and 94 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings pitched. Opponents are hitting .130 against O’brien, who had back-to-back 18-strikeouts games during the regular season.
- David Williams, who guided Maiden to a tie for second place with Bunker Hill, was voted Coach of the Year. The Blue Devils are 13-9 overall and 67-52 under Williams, who is in his fifth season as head coach.
East Lincoln’s selections for All-SD-7 2A, in addition to Burleson, are Trevon Childers, Nate Kinsch, Taylor Michel and Evan Puwlowski.
ALL-SD-7 2A BASEBALL
Bandys: Andrew Patrick.
Bunker Hill: Ben Loftin, Shea Maske, Devin Perdue, Bryson Smith.
E. Lincoln: Alex Burleson, Trevon Childers, Nate Kinsch, Taylor Michel, Evan Puwloski.
Lincolnton: Robbie Cowie, Lane Hoover.
Maiden: J.R. McRee, Caden O’brien, Taylor Tibbs, Ty Williams.
Newton-Conover: Daniel Kahill.
W. Caldwell: Dawson Garrett, Cy Smith, Carson Vance.
W. Lincoln: Parker Chapman, Brett Eurey.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Burleson, E. Lincoln.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: O’brien, Maiden.
COACH OF THE YEAR: David Williams, Maiden.