BB: Estes tops All-District 22-2A performers

Shelbyville junior pitcher/shortstop Brad Estes was named the Dist-
rict 22-2A Most Valuable Player recently after leading the Dragons to
the league's co-championship. He finished the year with a 2.35
earned run average on the mound. (Photo by John Krueger)

The Shelbyville Dragons surprised the District 22-2A field in 2010 by capturing a share of the league championship, along with Hemphill. But what wasn't surprising were the players who led the SHS charge as Brad Estes was the unanimous Most Valuable Player and Tyler Adams and Austin Rabalais were first-team members in the voting.

Estes, a junior, posted a 2.35 earned run average and a 7-5 record on the hill in 2010 to earn the top selection in District 22-2A. He pitched 89.1 innings, allowing opponents to hit only .169, while striking out 160.

Offensively, Estes was the second-leading hitter on the squad with a .322 batting average, scoring 26 runs, on 28 hits, while driving in 12 runs from his lead-off position in the lineup. He also belted seven doubles and a triple, finishing with an on-base percentage of .443. He possessed an .808 fielding percentage.

Hemphill senior Chris Burdette was the unanimous Offensive Player of the Year, while Newton senior Halston Flanigan was the choice for Defensive Player of the Year, according to the coaches of the league.

Hemphill junior Anthony Singleton and Woodville freshman Grant Bullock were both chosen as Newcomer of the Year.

Shelbyville Head Coach Mike Innerarity, who led his team from a 1-11-2 non-district mark to a 9-2 record against district competition, was named the Coach of the Year.

Adams, a junior who pitched as well as played shortstop and second base, led Shelbyville in hitting with a .341 batting average. He posted a .537 slugging percentage and a .455 on-base percentage.

He finished the year with 26 runs on 28 hits, while driving in 18 runs, smashing eight doubles, a triple and a pair of home runs. He was also successful in stealing 21-of-26 bases.

Adams also pitched for Shelbyville, finishing the year with a 7.69 ERA and 51 strikeouts, while allowing opposing batters to hit only .268.

Rabalais, a junior, was one of four unanimous first-team outfielders chosen. He owned an .857 fielding percentage, with a .429 on-base percentage to go along with a .216 batting average.

He scored 15 runs on 11 hits, driving in two runs, while successfully stealing 18-of-19 bases and connecting on a pair of doubles and two triples.

Dragons earning second-team all-district honors included freshman Blane Deal as a pitcher, junior Blake Deal at catcher and junior Caleb Helander in the outfield.

Blane Deal struck out 31 batters, while posting a 2-4 record on the mound in his first-year of high school action. He allowed opponents to hit .313 and had an .810 fielding percentage when on offense.

Also, he scored 11 runs on 13 hits, driving in 11 runs while belting two doubles. He drew 23 walks and possessed a .388 on-base percentage.

Blake Deal drew 13 free passes when he was hit by pitches. He also hit .297, scoring 21 runs on 19 hits, with 20 runs driven in. He also smashed 12 doubles and a home run and had a .531 on-base percentage.

Helander hit .247 with 18 runs on 20 hits. He also drove in 15 runs, while connecting on four doubles and a home run. He owned an on-base percentage of .351 and was successful on 24-of-27 stolen bases.

Shelbyville senior Teague Kowalski had a .917 fielding percentage and received honorable mention. SHS freshman Dillion Brown also received honorable mention.