2022 All-East Texas Baseball Team

Published 5:45 am Saturday, July 9, 2022

By Brandon Ogden
bogden@tylerpaper.com

: Brook Hill's Cade Chesley and Jerry Courtney.

Players from Rusk, Whitehouse, Bullard, Canton and Athens captured the superlatives on this year’s All-East Texas Baseball Team. Check out the full list — from the Players of the Year to honorable mentions — right here.

Player of the Year

JD Thompson

By the numbers: The senior was 6-0 with a 0.27 ERA, 93 strikeouts, 10 walks, 2 earned runs and a 0.53 WHIP in 50.1 innings. Thompson hit .400 with 34 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple, 14 RBIs and 14 runs. He had a .958 fielding percentage with 60 putouts and eight assists. As a junior, the Vanderbilt signee went 13-1 with one save, a 0.35 ERA and 19 walks. He also struck out a state-high 194 batters in helping the Eagles reach the state baseball time for the first time. Thompson was selected as the All-East Texas Baseball Pitcher of the Year and was a MaxPreps All-American. At the plate, Thompson hit .355 with 33 hits, two home runs, 10 doubles, five triples and 24 runs. Thompson was the All-East Texas Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, when he was 8-3 with a 0.53 ERA with 98 strikeouts and just nine walks in 66 innings.

Offensive Player of the Year

Ace Reese

School: Canton

By the numbers: The junior hit .542 with 43 hits, 19 doubles, 4 triples, 2 home runs, 43 runs, 43 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, 35 walks and 6 strikeouts in 120 plate appearances. He hit .624 in the postseason with six extra-base hits. Reese is committed to the University of Houston.

Defensive Player of the Year

Grant Yudizky

Pitcher of the Year

David Wilson

School: Bullard

By the numbers: The sophomore was 12-1 with a 1.76 ERA, 93 strikeouts, and 21 walks in 83.1 innings.

Newcomer of the Year

JJ Idrogo

School: Whitehouse

By the numbers: The freshman hit .419 with 39 hits, 37 runs and 24 stolen bases.

Coach of the Year

Jerry Courtney

School: Brook Hill

By the numbers: Courtney led Brook Hill to a 27-4 record and a trip to the TAPPS Division II Baseball Championship game.

First Team

GRAYSON MURRY

Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Brook Hill
By the numbers: 7 wins, 88 strikeouts, 1.02 ERA; .400 average, 5 home runs, 27 RBIs. Signed with Tyler Junior College.

MASON CIRKEL

Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Rusk
By the numbers: 10-3, 0.54 ERA, 69 strikeouts, 18 walks, 0.91 WHIP, 64.1 innings; .342 average, 25 hits, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBIs, 11 runs. Signed with Texas A&M-Texarkana.

LUCAS GRUNDY

Class: Junior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Tyler Legacy
By the numbers: 5-3, 1.44 ERA, 57 strikeouts, 30 walks, 1.20 WHIP, 60.1 innings.

FINN KAIYALA

Class: Senior
Position: Catcher
Team: Brook Hill
By the numbers: .402 average, 7 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, 29 RBIs. Signed with Tyler Junior College.

COLTAN EIKNER

Class: Senior
Position: Infield
Team: Whitehouse
By the numbers: .418 average, 33 hits, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 1 home run, 27 RBIs; 1-0, 2.10 ERA, 1 save. Signed with Texas A&M-Texarkana.

WILL JACKSON

Class: Junior
Position: Infield
Team: West Rusk
By the numbers: .441 average, 49 hits, 26 doubles, 5 triples, 6 home runs, 28 RBIs, 42 runs, .802 slugging; 4-1, 0.70 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 30 innings.

SAM PETERSON

Class: Senior
Position: Infield
Team: Lindale
By the numbers: .417 average, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 12 RBIs, 17 runs, 13 stolen bases; 3.22 ERA, 65 strikeouts, 39.2 innings. Signed with Texas State.

ROBERT WALKER

Class: Junior
Position: Infield
Team: Frankston
By the numbers: .417 average, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 40 hits, 28 runs, 40 RBIs, 19 walks; .984 fielding.

JACKSON DUPLICHAIN

Class: Junior
Position: Outfield
Team: Alto
By the numbers: .525 average, 8 doubles, 3 triples, 28 stolen bases, 50 runs, 30 RBIs, 13 hit by pitches, 7 walks, 4 strikeouts.

WILL DIXON

Class: Senior
Position: Outfield
Team: Rusk
By the numbers: .344 average, 32 hits, 8 doubles, 1 triples, 15 RBIs, 20 runs, 16 stolen bases. Signed with Stephen F. Austin.

JACKSON EPPERSON

Class: Junior
Position: Outfield
Team: Brownsboro
By the numbers: .406 average, 1.039 OPS, 21 RBIs, 20 runs; Threw 4 runners out at home plate.

COEN DEVILLIER

Class: Sophomore
Position: Utility
Team: Jacksonville
By the numbers: .406 average, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 10 RBIs, 6 walks

Second Team

GEORGE RIPPY

Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Tyler Legacy
By the numbers: 6-2, 2.36 ERA, 46 strikeouts, 26 walks, 1.29 WHIP, 50.1 innings.

CLAYTON MERRITT

Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Frankston
By the numbers: 10-1, 2.63 ERA, 82 strikeouts, 42 walks, 59.2 innings. Signed with Texas A&M-Texarkana.

CADE CHESLEY

Class: Junior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Brook Hill
By the numbers: 8 wins, 63 strikeouts, 0.75 ERA; .403 average, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 31 RBIs.

LANE EPPERSON

Class: Senior
Position: Catcher
Team: Brownsboro
By the numbers: .341 average, .971 OPS, 21 RBIs, 17 runs; Threw out 13 of 19 attempted base stealers.

ALEJANDRO GOMEZ

Class: Junior
Position: Infield
Team: Alto
By the numbers: .440 average, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 46 RBIs, 29 runs; 6-2, 3.08 ERA, 48 strikeouts, 47.2 innings.

JADAN HENRY

Class: Senior
Position: Infield
Team: Cayuga
By the numbers: .493 average, 9 doubles, 22 RBIs, 5 strikeouts in 96 plate appearances; 5-2, 55 strikeouts, 2.15 ERA. Signed with Bethany College.

BRADLEY ADAMS

Class: Senior
Position: Infield
Team: Troup
By the numbers: ..397 average, 5 doubles, 1 home run, 15 RBIs, 20 runs. Signed with Dallas Christian

SEAN GENTRY

Class: Senior
Position: Infield
Team: Chapel Hill
By the numbers: .389 average, 28 hits, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 13 RBIs, 21 runs, 23 walks, 17 stolen bases.

PRESTON NEWBERRY

Class: Senior
Position: Outfield
Team: Tyler Legacy
By the numbers: .258 average, 23 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 6 RBIs, 22 runs, 24 walks; 2 errors in 64 chances, 55 putouts, 7 assists, 2 double plays, .969 fielding.

JERMOD MCCOY

Class: Junior
Position: Outfield
Team: Whitehouse
By the numbers: .333 average, 31 hits, 20 stolen bases, 21 runs; 0 errors in 41 chances.

ERIC BACON

Class: Junior
Position: Outfield
Team: Rains
By the numbers: .410 average, 33 hits, 6 doubles, 2 triples, 12 RBIs, 33 runs, 17 walks, 22 stolen bases; 6-2, 1.58 ERA, 95 strikeouts, 66.1 innings.

LUKE METCALF

Class: Junior
Position: Utility
Team: Grand Saline
By the numbers: .373 average, 16 RBIs, 22 runs, 4 doubles, 3 triples; 7-5, 4.02 ERA, 59 strikeouts, 60 innings.

Third Team

LUKE CAUSSEY

Class: Junior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Whitehouse
By the numbers: 6-2, 2.24 ERA, 43 strikeouts, 43.2 innings; .321 average, 26 hits, 5 doubles, 3 triples, 3 home runs, 23 RBIs.

JASE MELTON

Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Grand Saline
By the numbers: 5-1, 1.07 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 66 strikeouts, 45.2 innings; .377 average, 8 RBIs, 10 runs. Missed games with hamstring strain. Signed to Eastfield College.

LOGAN ROGERS

Class: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Team: Alto
By the numbers: 10-2, 2.43 ERA, 96 strikeouts, 69 innings; .485 average, 10 doubles, 5 triples, 13 stolen bases, 33 RBIs, 50 runs.

CARTER SMITH

Class: Senior
Position: Catcher
Team: Union Grove
By the numbers: .521 average, 25 hits, 5 doubles, 1 triple, 15 RBIs, 20 runs, 22 walks, 7 stolen bases.

JAXYN ROGERS

Class: Junior
Position: Infield
Team: Brownsboro
By the numbers: .382 average, .945 OPS, 22 RBIs, 19 runs.

CHASE RANDALL

Class: Sophomore
Position: Infield
Team: Bullard
By the numbers: .347 average, 26 hits, 11 doubles, 1 triple, 16 walks.

NOAH BOONE

Class: Senior
Position: Infield
Team: Edgewood
By the numbers: .354 average, 34 hits, 11 doubles, 4 home runs, 25 RBIs, 28 runs; 5-3, 2.36 ERA, 41 strikeouts, 30 walks, 47.1 innings.

JIMMIE HARPER

Class: Junior
Position: Infield
Team: West Rusk
By the numbers: .361 average, 35 hits, 10 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 33 RBIs, 25 runs, 18 walks; 7-3, 1.62 ERA, 73 strikeouts, 64.1 innings.

HAYDEN WILCOXSON

Class: Junior
Position: Outfield
Team: Edgewood
By the numbers: .432 average, 18 doubles, 6 triples, 41 hits, 34 RBIs, 37 runs.

BRACEY COVER

Class: Senior
Position: Outfield
Team: Troup
By the numbers: .354 average, 3 doubles, 2 triples, 12 RBIs, 27 runs.

COLTON WHITEHEAD

Class: Senior
Position: Outfield
Team: Canton
By the numbers: .398 average, 39 hits, 12 doubles, 2 triples, 20 runs, 30 RBIs, 5 stolen bases, 16 walks.

PEYTON BLACKMON

Class: Sophomore
Position: Utility
Team: Whitehouse
By the numbers: .316 average, 1 home run, 17 RBIs; 2-1, 2 saves, 3.75 ERA.

Honorable mention

Alto: Isaack Weatherford, Jackson Howell

Athens: Trevor Deupree

Brownsboro: Ryan Padgett, Cooper Schock, Brice Hudler, Aiden Green, Payton Stephenson

Bullard: Reed Overbeek, John Lloyd

Canton: Reed Vannorsdel

Cayuga: Braxton Killion, Ayden Stovall, Nic Wolverton, Colt Mullican, Landan Henry, Owen Cretsinger,

Chapel Hill: Ethan Mendez, Malcom Passama, Austin Vega, Will Parker, Connor Griffin

Edgewood: Lukas Grace, Carter Seay

Frankston: Matt Metzig, Walker London, Conlan LeMay, Ryan Harper, Austin Carr

Grand Saline: Brett Kindle, Carson Fisher, Jace Mercer, Preston Anderson

Jacksonville: Hayden Thompson, Ryan Walker

Mineola: Spencer Joyner, Cason Davis, Braydon Alley

Rains: Logan Green, Nick Bowman, Grant Guidry, Audie McAree

Rusk: Peighton Vargas, Wade Williams

Troup: Colby Turner

Tyler: Eli Sanchez

Tyler Legacy: Dakota McCaskill, Tyler Priest, Luke Davis

Union Grove: Carter Smith, Tyler Barkley, Hunter Cannon, Cooper Vestal, Colton Cowan

West Rusk: Bryant Mason, Xander Mason, Jaxon Farquhar, Cole Jackson, Clayton Keith

Whitehouse: Michael Dudolski, Keegan McCord, Braden Bean, Collin McLemore