AREA TALENT RECEIVES ALL-STATE RECOGNITION

It was a good year for high school baseball in Southeast Missouri. And the all-state list reflected that.

Several of the area's best high school baseball players, including two from Chaffee and three from St. Vincent, have made the all-state first team.

Pitcher Matt Stroup, the Southeast Missourian's Player of the Year, and center fielder Jeremy Lynn both made the squad to represent Class 2A Chaffee.

Stroup went 12-1 with a 0.75 ERA and 122 strikeouts, while Lynn, a leadoff man, batted .450 with 41 runs and 20 stolen bases.

Chaffee coach Brian Horrell said he believes it is the first time in school history that two players have made the first team. Last year, Tommy Stidham made the first team and G.P. Glueck made the second team.

"It's a great accomplishment and without the team doing as well as it did, we wouldn't have been as lucky when it comes to individual accomplishments," Horrell said. "Matt Stroup and Jeremy Lynn are very deserving."

Kelly's Justin Simpher was also a first-team selection in 2A as a DH/Utility player. Simpher pitched, played first base and saw time as the designated hitter. He batted .435 with three homers and 28 runs batted in.

In Class 1A, St. Vincent pitcher Derek Kutz (10-4, 3.25 ERA), shortstop Tyler Wengert (.436, 41 hits, 32 runs) and catcher Ryan Brown (.367, 2 HR) made the first team after the Indians took second place at state one year after taking first place.

Also in 1A, Adam Rainey (.509, 4 HR, 26 RBIs) made the first team as an infielder and Bell City's Gabe Scherer (.439, 28 RBIs) made the second team as a DH/Utility. Scherer played mostly outfield, but was the team's best pitcher as well. And from Oran, third baseman Garrett Cook (.427, 4 HR, 28 RBIs) made the first team.

John O'Rourke (.462), Notre Dame's shortstop was named to the second team.

"He's one of the best leaders I've ever had," Notre Dame coach Jeff Graviett said. "He just works his tail off. Right after we got beat by Kelly in districts, I had a sophomore hitting on the tee after the game. They learn that from guys like John, not from me."

From just outside the immediate area, Clearwater pitcher Jamie McAlister and outfielder Zach Johnson (2A); Sikeston catcher Kent Chappell and pitcher Bobby Landers (3A); and Holcumb's Kerry Emerson (1A) made the first team.