All-State baseball teams released

~Sikeston's DeWitt, Priday both make first team

SIKESTON - The Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association recently released the high school all-state baseball teams.

Sikeston High School, which went 23-2 this year, had two players selected to the first team in Class 3.

Juniors Blake DeWitt and Jacob Priday were both selected for the prestigious honor.

"I would say they are both very deserving," said Sikeston head coach Kevin Self. "Both of those kids had great years for us. Both of them hit over .500 and were pretty much our key players as far as getting the big hits. They were also team leaders. Jacob caught and was our defensive leader."

Jacob Priday

Jacob Priday

DeWitt is a repeat first team all-stater, but this year he was selected as a pitcher as opposed to infield last season.

On the mound, DeWitt had a 9-0 record and a 0.87 ERA in 48 1/3 innings. He struck out 62 and walked 10.

"Blake knows how to pitch," said Self. "He understands pitching from a hitter's point of view and he knows how to get people out. He mixed speeds extremely well, he didn't walk anybody. His velocity was good and his breaking ball was better. I know he's not considered a pitcher, but he had a great year on the mound."

If he didn't make it as a pitcher, he was a sure-fire first teamer as an infielder again as he put together a season for the ages.

He batted .513, with 14 home runs, 56 RBIs, 15 doubles, two triples, 40 runs scored and 17 walks. He had just two errors in 91 chances as the everyday shortstop.

"Blake not only had a great year in pitching, but he's also probably the most clutch hitter we've got," said Self.

Priday was named as a first team catcher after his huge season. The junior, who was also an all-state linebacker in football, led the team with a .519 average and 41 hits. He also had eight home runs, 13 doubles, 31 RBIs, 30 runs scored and six stolen bases.

"Jacob had a great year this year," said Self. "Probably the reason his RBI numbers weren't better is because Blake hit right in front of him."

Oran High School was well represented after a second place showing at state in Class 1.

The Eagles placed three players on the first team and one on the second team.

Trey Graviett was selected as a pitcher, Nathan Seyer made it as a catcher and Ryne Wood was selected as an infielder.

Tyler Cookson made the second team infield.

"We're definitely proud of getting four guys on there," said Oran head coach Mitch Wood. "All of them have been tremendous for us the last three or four years. They have all done their part, anywhere from pitching to hitting to defense. They are all valuable players."

Oran went 22-3-1 this year and one of the main reasons for that was Graviett's year on the mound, who was also a first team pitcher last season.

The senior went 8-1 with a save in 64 1/3 innings. He had a 1.52 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 31 walks. He's also one of the top hitters on the team with a team-leading .463 average, eight homers, nine doubles, two triples, 32 RBIs and 35 runs scored.

"Trey did a good job for us pitching, and later in the year, he really helped us out hitting-wise," said Wood. "To go along with that, he's a good fielder."

Seyer, who was also a first team catcher last year, overcame a knee injury this year and still put up big numbers, with a .400 average, nine homers and eight doubles to go with his 41 RBIs and 39 runs scored.

"To me, he's one of the better catchers in the area," said Wood. "He did a pretty good job of hitting all year long."

Ryne Wood was the top defensive player on the team at his regular shortstop position. He also had a huge offensive year with a .460 average, five homers, eight doubles, 36 RBIs and 37 runs scored. He led the team with 40 hits.

On the mound, he went 6-0 with a 2.20 ERA in 28 2/3 innings pitched. He struck out 31 and walked eight.

"Ryne was real steady in the field the last three years," said Wood. "This year he really stepped up with his bat and had some big ballgames for us."

Cookson dropped from first team last year to second team this season. But it wasn't because of anything he did.

All he did was blast 10 home runs with a team-leading 43 RBIs. He batted .403 with nine doubles and 34 runs scored.

"Cookson went through some slumps throughout the year, but he had some big games for us and played a good first base," said Wood. "He did a good job."