PLAYER OF THE YEAR Gunner Baker, Carlisle School: Carlisle | Class: Senior Position: Pitcher/Outfield Notable: 14-0 record with 0.08 ERA with 171 strikeouts; 1A state tournament MVP; Batted .487 with 43 runs scored, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases (Shane Stark | Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Playing baseball was a blessing for Carlisle’s Gunner Baker this past spring. Earlier in the school year, the same could be said for walking.

Because of a freak football injury, the Indians senior almost lost one of his lower legs during the fall. However, emergency surgery saved the limb.

The Louisville Slugger All-American took advantage.

Baker is the Player of the Year on the All-East Texas Baseball Team. He follows former Bullard Brook Hill star A.J. Minter as the award’s recipient.

Baker was devastated when the injury occurred. The Indians quarterback hoped to lead the football team on a deep playoff run, too.

“At the time I wasn’t sure if I was going to make it to baseball season or not,” Baker said. “It just killed me. I was just blessed that they got in there in time to save (my leg). It was a lot of bad news at one time.”

The time away gave multi-sport standout plenty of rehab time. He gradually regained his confidence.

“It took awhile because I was just laying down at the house in wheel chair for a long time,” he said. “Once I got back in the weight room and was able to move around I started feeling better. I regained my confidence sometime between football and baseball. …It was the first time in my whole career I sat on the sidelines.”

Challenging national records throughout, Baker helped lead Carlisle to the Class 1A state championship last month —- the program’s first. The Indians finished with only one loss against 29 victories, the lone setback occurring during a playoff warmup against Class 2A state-ranked White Oak.

Baker’s numbers were remarkable.

A four-year standout, Baker went 14-0 on the mound with a 0.08 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 83 13 innings. He also batted .453 with 38 hits, 58 RBIs and 43 runs scored.

The Indians claimed the state title with a 6-1 victory against Stamford at Round Rock’s Dell Diamond.

“It was an exciting year,” Baker said. “It was a really long year but it was probably the best year I’ve had. …We pretty much went through the season undefeated. We were number one in the rankings and went out number one. It was awesome.”

 

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Gunner Baker, Carlisle

School: Carlisle | Class: Senior

Position: Pitcher/Outfield

Notable: 14-0 record with 0.08 ERA with 171 strikeouts; 1A state tournament MVP; Batted .487 with 43 runs scored, 58 RBIs and 30 stolen bases

 

COACH OF THE YEAR

Derrick Jenkins

School: Whitehouse

Notable: In his third season, led the Wildcats to their first state tournament berth in school history

 

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Eric Munoz

School: Whitehouse | Class: Sophomore

Notable: Batted .321 with .412 on-base percentage. Hit second in stacked lineup for state semifinalists

 

FIRST TEAM

Ryan Cheatham

School: Whitehouse | Class: Junior

Position: Pitcher

Notable: 12-0 record with 2.88 ERA in 82.2 IP with 87 strikeouts

 

Zach Flanagan

School: Robert E. Lee | Class: Senior

Position: Pitcher

Notable: 8-0 record with 4 complete games, 1 in playoffs; allowed 4 earned runs with 76 strikeouts

 

Chantz Holland

School: Cayuga | Class: Senior

Position: Pitcher

Notable: 13-3 record with 0.83 ERA in 72 IP with 137 strikeouts; 2 no-hitters

 

Cade Suggs

School: ETCA | Class: Senior

Position: Infield

Notable: Hit .543 and slugged 1.000 with 11 doubles, 10 triples; 35 runs scored.

 

Michael Nuon

School: Whitehouse | Class: Senior

Position: Infield

Notable: Played entire season on torn ACL; scored 47 runs and stole 24 bases

 

Caleb Colley

School: Carlisle | Class: Junior

Position: Infield

Notable: Hit .481 with 45 RBIs and 43 runs scored with 33 stolen bases

 

Ronnie Gideon

School: Hallsville | Class: Senior

Position: Infield

Notable: Hit .413 with 7 HRs and 10 doubles; 43 runs scored and 37 RBIs

 

Reid Russell

School: Longview | Class: Senior

Position: Infield

Notable: Batted .362 with 8 home runs and 36 RBIs

 

Jared Raabe

School: Whitehouse | Class: Senior

Position: Outfield

Notable: .322 average with 7 doubles, 25 RBIs and 42 runs scored; 24 stolen bases

 

Zach Brightwell

School: Carlisle | Class: Junior

Position: Outfield

Notable: Batted .453 with 8 doubles, 42 RBIs and 50 runs scored; 13 stolen bases

 

Hunter Owens

School: White Oak | Class: Senior

Position: Outfield

Notable: Hit .456 with 31 RBIs, 10 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HRs and 41 runs scored with 27 SBs

 

Kendall Kerns

School: Brook Hill | Class: Senior

Position: Catcher

Notable: Posted .771 slugging percentage with 5 HRs and 38 runs

 

Patrick Mahomes

School: Whitehouse | Class: Junior

Position: Utility

Notable: 9-2 record on the mound with 2.14 ERS, 5 CGs; .380 average with 48 runs and 30 RBIs

 

Aaron Clemons

School: Whitehouse | Class: Senior

Position: Designated Hitter

Notable: Hit .395 with 9 doubles, two triples, 27 runs and 53 RBIs

 

SECOND TEAM

Sam Sitton

School: Lindale | Class: Junior

Position: Pitcher

Notable: Posted 11-1 record with 1.86 EA in 75.1 innings pitched; 67 Ks

 

Connor Reich

School: Hallsville | Class: Junior

Position: Pitcher

Notable: Posted 10-2 mark with 0.87 ERA in 81 innings; 143 strikeouts and three saves

 

Quintin Pile

School: Brook Hill | Class: Senior

Position: Pitcher

Notable: Struck out 14 batters in TAPPS 3A championship game and finished with 1.58 ERA

 

Kyle Bond

School: Lindale | Class: Junior

Position: Infield

Notable: Batted .368 with seven doubles and three triples

 

Holden Bryant

School: Bullard | Class: Senior

Position: Infield

Notable: Hit .385 with 37 runs scored, seven doubles and 30 stolen bases

 

Jansen McCurdy

School: White Oak | Class: Junior

Position: Infield

Notable: Hit .357 with 43 runs scores, 6 doubles, 6 triples and 25 stolen bases

 

Jacob Cheatham

School: Elkhart | Class: Senior

Position: Infield

Notable: Batted .556 with national-record 17 triples

 

Derek Clemons

School: Whitehouse | Class: Senior

Position: Catcher

Notable: Hit .348 with 9 doubles, two triples, 27 runs and 59 RBIs; 39 assisted put outs

 

Jacob Sharff

School: Edgewood | Class: Senior

Position: Outfield

Notable: Was chosen Most Valuable Player for District 14-2A

 

Matt Savis

School: Van | Class: Sophomore

Position: Outfield

Notable: Batted .407 with 24 runs scored; 5 doubles, 3 triples, 1 HR, 17 stolen bases

 

Michael Greening

School: Brook Hill | Class: Senior

Position: Outfield

Notable: TAPPS all-state player; .431 on-base percentage with 31 runs and 12 SBs

 

Shadow Sanders

School: Carlisle | Class: Senior

Position: Utility

Notable: Played outfield and pitcher, batting .366 and going 6-0 on the mound with 81 strikeouts

 

Ryan Rendon

School: Robert E. Lee | Class: Junior

Position: Designated Hitter

Notable: First team 12-5A and led Lee with a .397 batting average and drove in 18 runs

 

HONORABLE MENTION 

Athens: Travis Takata, Kaleb Sifers, Adam Stallings, Garrett Conley, Morgan Gimier; Brownsboro: Raul Gutierrez; Bullard: Haden Bryant, Zach Eschberger, Trevor Rumbelow; Carlisle: Ben Goss, Clay Allphin, Kolton Heim, Ty Baker, Jaylan Holland, Dylan Sanders; Canton: Chandler Eiland, Cade Wager, Grady Priest; Cayuga: Jaret Walthall, Hunter Jenkins, John Vickery, Payton Wallace, Hunter Johnson; Central Heights: Alex Phillips, Zach Johnson, Brady Clifton, Sheldon McCown, Joel Badders, Duke Ellis, Travis Wisener; Cross Roads: Shawn Himes, Nick Cobb, Trey Hazelip; Cushing: Brooks Robey, Braden Robey, Cameron Burk, Lane Williams, Michael Robey; Edgewood: Jason Thompson, Daniel Sharff, Jakeb Hunter, Justin Bundy; Elkhart: Levi Smith, Jordan White Jackson Adair, Mason Huffines, Cole Bridges, Brian Johnson, Cullen Adams, Hunter Parker; Eustace: Kyle Purselley, Trevor Lane; Frankston —- Justice Bean, Gilmer: Jaidon Parrish, Colin Hardin, Mitch Lange, Blevin Burns, Skylar Hollis, Bryce Tomlin; Grand Saline: Austin Truett, Dalton Vail, Cody Mercer, Frank Mitchell; Hallsville: Jacob Walker, Austin Blakeley, Logan Bailey, Coby Weaver, Colton Oberthier; Harmony: Micah Ross; Hawkins: Derek Craft, Chris Beall, Shane Green, John Michael Gattis, Drew Roden; Henderson: Tre Hollins, Jeff Holt; Jacksonville: Brett Eckles Brayden Rawlinson; Kilgore: Cooper Coldiron, Joseph Shepherd; LaPoynor: Mason Motal, Logan McClelland; Leverett’s Chapel: Clay White; Lindale: Kris Bond; Longview: Tre’ Allen, Spener Barton; Mabank: Cody Thompson, Stephen Caillet, Garrett McComb, Colt Conway, Martins Mill: Kyle Miller, Aaron Goggans, Colton Wilson; Mineola: Ryan Browning, Seth Bickerstaff, Garrett Woods, Logan Fowler; Nacogdoches: Brigham Hill, Will Boozer; Overton: Jesse Roach, Brayden Lee, Colby Carpenter, Greg Moore; Quitman: Lenzie Foley, Chuy Ramirez, Casey Walls, Austin White, Cord Conley; Palestine: Zane Worsencroft, Austin Brown, Devon Harris, Chico Herrod, Juan Trejo, Brian Gummelt; Palestine Westwood: Lane Stringfield; Pine Tree: Jake Oden, Spencer Anderson, Chis Chadwick, Mason Liu, Chandler Minze; Pittsburg: Charlie Mitchell, Brian Taylor, Zack DeLuna; Rains: Taylor Lennon, Jason Patterson, Chance Newsom, Beau Shelby, Colton Coffman, Kelby Gowin; Robert E. Lee: Tyler Jones, Ross Himes; Rusk: Michael Crews, Austin Ballew, Parker Clark, Houston Munsinger, Josh Raiborn, Drew Walley; Sabine: Kyle Calens, Ashley Dukes, Dylan Cook, Caleb Edney, Dusty Taylor, Blane Sinclair; Spring Hill: Ben Hollas, Lane Nesbett, Matt Williams, Nathan Methvin; Tatum: Brett Roberts, Beau Craig; Troup: Mason Mallard, Seth Gibson, Kody Welch, Brandon Hearon, Grant Herrington, Lou Roberson; Winnsboro: Rhett Deaton,  Luke Tebbetts, Landon Bright; Union Grove: Colsen Klein, Thomas Rodgers; Van: Reid Hiler, Mason Hassell, Christian Harris, Jacob Wyrick; White Oak: Lane Newton, Josh Benson, Erik Owen, Jeremy Pike, Eric Wilkinson; Whitehouse: Jake Parker, Wills Point: Brett Bushnell, Case Harper; Winona: Jacob Moseley, Colton Chadbourne, Corey Campbell, Austin Makowsky.