Player of the Year

Chandler Avant, SS/P – Pike Liberal Arts

Batting: AVG. – .505, 10 home runs, 36 RBIs

Pitching: 4-2, 5/5 saves, 42 strikeouts, 1.78 ERA

 

Butch Austin has seen a slew of great baseball players in his 30-plus year career, but he readily admits Chandler Avant is an elite category.

Avant led Pike Liberal Arts in almost every statistical category in 2014, and helped guide Austin’s final team to the AISA Championship series.

Avant is a two-time Messenger Player of the Year, having picked up the honor as a sophomore in 2012, and has been named to the All-Area team in each of his four varsity seasons.

“Chandler is a special ball player,” Austin said. “He is a legitimate five-tool player. He can run, throw, field hit and hit with power. I have seen a lot of good ball players, but he is special.”

Avant batted .505 for the Patriots this past year, and used the short left field porch at Butch Austin Field to put on a massive power display.

He launched 10 homers during the season, including a massive blast in the second round of the playoffs against Ft. Dale Academy that landed somewhere on the playing surface of the football gridiron, Dwight Ward Field.

Avant batted lead off for Pike, due in large part to an incredible on-base percentage of .614. If Avant had batted lower in the order, it is more than likely his RBI total would have been well past 36.

“Chandler can do it all really,” Austin said. “Every accolade that comes his way is well deserved. He was the leader of this team on the field and off of it. A lot of the kids try to do what Chandler does, because they know that he is going to things the right way.”

Avant spent most of his action at shortstop, routinely turning double plays and turning well-placed grounders in to outs. But, when asked, Avant would head to the mound either to close out a game, or a series.

He was a perfect 5-for-5 in save opportunities in 2014, and picked up 4 wins along the way.

He pitched Pike to a semi-final playoff series win over Tuscaloosa Academy by throwing well over 100 pitches.

That game is one Austin points to as one of Avant’s shining moments.

“He was tired at the end, but he would have thrown 100 more pitches if he had to,” Austin said. “Chandler is a player, but he is also like a third coach for us. He was always calm out there, and all the other boys followed his lead. That day was great for him and us.”

Avant signed to play baseball with the University of Alabama last fall, but may never step foot on campus at The Capstone.

Avant is rated as the 201st best prospect in the nation, and one of the top middle infielders according to scouting service Perfect Game USA.

“Whatever Chandler and his family decide to do, he will be successful at it,” said Austin. “He is a good boy and will be a great addition to whatever team he plays on.”

Derek Irons picked up his second consecutive Messenger Coach of the Year honor after guiding Charles Henderson to back-to-back AHSAA 4A State Championships.

The Trojans were ranked No. 1 in every Alabama Sports Writers Association poll in each of the last two seasons, and have lost just twice to 4A competition.

 

 2014 All-Area Team

John Michael Stephens, P – Charles Henderson

Rush Hixon, P – Pike Liberal Arts

Chase Smartt, C – Charles Henderson

Hunter Baggett, IF – Charles Henderson

Chandler Avant, IF – Pike Liberal Arts

Xavius Burden, IF – Charles Henderson

Myles Loving, IF – Pike Liberal Arts

John Johsson, OF – Charles Henderson

Austin Ingram, OF – Charles Henderson

Brian Adams, OF, Pike Liberal Arts

Ty Witherington, DH – Goshen

Honorable mention: Allen Pritchett – Pike County, Jerrel Lawson – Pike County, Connor Vowell – Pike Liberal Arts, Deshon Cowling – Pike County, Reilly Fox – Charles Henderson, Bryant Stephens – Goshen

 

Coach of the Year

Derek Irons, Charles Henderson

Derek Irons picked up his second consecutive Messenger Coach of the Year honor after guiding Charles Henderson to back-to-back AHSAA 4A State Championships.

The Trojans were ranked No. 1 in every Alabama Sports Writers Association poll in each of the last two seasons, and have lost just twice to 4A competition.