Southeast Missourian all-star baseball team

THE FIRST TEAM

Pitcher

John Thies, Central, seniorStats: 7-3, 2.15 ERA, 92K, 27W, 71 2/3 innings

Notes: A strong left-hander who proved he was much better than 3-8 record he compiled a year earlier. Still had impressive 2.75 ERA his junior year. Threw no-hitter against New Madrid County Central in SEMO Conference tournament. Struck out 14 Notre Dame batters in 6-0 shutout. Will attend Meramec Community College on baseball scholarship. Played major role in Central going 18-10 after 9-14 season.

Catcher

Nathan Seyer, Oran, seniorStats: .400, 9 HR, 8 2B, 41 RBIs, 12 SB

Notes: A strong-armed catcher who is also an offensive force. Was Southeast Missourian player of the year as a junior and was also all-state. Battled knee problem much of season but was a key contributor in Eagles' drive to the Class 1 state title game.

Infielders

Tyler Cookson, 1B, Oran, seniorStats: .403, 10 HR, 9 2B, 43 RBIs

Notes: Broke Oran's single-season home run record with 11 round-trippers. A good RBI man who hit for both power and average.

Lee Essner, SS, Notre Dame, juniorStats: .307, 2 HR, 20 RBIs, 7-1, 1.62 ERA

Notes: One of the steadiest shortstops in the area with good hands and strong reliable arm. Showcased his arm on mound, posting Bulldogs' best numbers. He had 53 strikeouts and walked only eight in 52 innings.

Seth Hudson, SS, Central, seniorStats: .478, 44H, 11 2B, 18 RBIs, 20 SB

Notes: Is Central's single-season and all-time stolen base leader. Thrown out on just one steal attempt this season and was 54 of 58 for his career. Ideal leadoff batter with on-base percentage over .500. Steady defensive player who also helped the Tigers on the mound.

Ryne Wood, SS, Oran, seniorStats: .460, 5 HR, 8 2B, 36 RBIs, 6-0, 2.20 ERA

Notes: Helped Eagles in all areas in drive to state championship game. Was among Oran's top hitters and pitchers while also providing solid, steady defense. Had .528 on-base percentage.

Outfielders

Trey Graviett, Oran, seniorStats: .475, 8 HR, 9 2B, 2 3B, 32 RBIs, 8-1, 1.52 ERA

Notes: Threw one-hitter against Bell City in district championship game. Was winning pitcher in state semifinals, helping his cause with a home run, triple and three RBIs. Surprising power for average-size player, hitting long home run at spacious Taylor Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Had .573 on-base percentage.

Dustin Tatum, Notre Dame, seniorStats: .372, 3 HR, 21 RBIs, 16 BB

Notes: One of the most improved players in the area, he routinely turned in highlight film catches in center field. Saved one of his best catches to end first-inning of sectional playoff game against North County, making diving catch in deep center field with back to the infield. Smooth and reliable on routine plays.

Matt Wulfers, Notre Dame, juniorStats: .386, 11 HR, 40 RBIs

Notes: Hit three home runs in a game and had five home runs over two-game period. His 11 home runs were one shy of the school record. Had second-highest average among Bulldog regulars.

DH/Utility

Luke Johnson, Woodland, seniorStats: .514, 11 2B, 2 HR, 32 RBIs, 9 SB

Notes: A pure hitter who has been a run-producing machine the last couple seasons. Johnson led area his junior year with 46 RBIs.

THE SECOND TEAM

PitcherTrey Graviett, senior, Oran. Stats: .475, 8 home runs, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 32 RBIs, 8-1, 1.52 ERA

CatcherKyle Diveley, senior, Notre Dame. Stats: .352, 4 home runs, 6 doubles, 22 RBIs

InfieldersChris Conrad, senior, 2B, Central. Stats: .417, 7 doubles, 22 RBIs, 26 runs, 11 stolen bases

Ben Duncan, senior, SS-P, Bell City. Stats: .406, 2 home runs

Tyler Profilet, junior 1B, Jackson. Stats: .403, 17 RBIs, 6 doubles, 1 triple

James Reischman, senior, SS, Chaffee. Stats: .446, 2 home runs, 15 RBIs

OutfieldersJoey Bickings, senior, Oran. Stats: 379, 9 HR, 7 2B, 39 RBIs

Eric O'Hare, senior, Advance. Stats: .394, 5 HR, 6 2B, 3 3B, 28 RBIs, 12 stolen bases, .577 OBP, 5-7, 2.37 ERA, 109 strikeouts, 60 1/3 innings pitched

Blake Urhahn, junior, Notre Dame. .402, 24 RBIs, 2-2, 3.59 ERA, 38 strikeouts, 39 innings pitched

DH/UtilityTyler Nelson, senior, 3B-P, Oran. Stats: .342, 8 home runs,

6 doubles, 22 RBIs, 5-2, 2.46 ERA

ABOUT THE TEAMThe Southeast Missourian All-Star Teams are chosen by the Southeast Missourian sports staff with input from area coaches. Only the teams from the newspaper coverage area are considered. Those teams are: Advance, Bell City, Central, Chaffee, Delta, Eagle Ridge, Jackson, Kelly, Leopold, Meadow Heights, New Salem, Notre Dame, Oak Ridge, Oran, Perryville, Scott County Central, Scott City, St. Vincent, Woodland and Zalma.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION?

We welcome your comments and opinions about our team. Call our 24-hour automated SpeakOut line at 334-5111, e-mail your comments to sports@semissourian.com, fax to 334-7288, or mail to the Southeast Missourian at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, 63701. Comments are published each Sunday in FanSpeak.