Auston Neal, Cullman — Class 5A All-State first team, pitcher

Cullman baseball’s return to dominance is extending to awards season.

The Bearcats cleaned house on the Class 5A All-State Team released late Friday night, nearly three weeks since storming to the state title series. Freshman phenom Owen Lovell (outfield) was tabbed 5A Hitter of the Year and joined Lance Cleveland (first base) and Auston Neal (pitcher) on the first team.

The last local representative on the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s list was Hanceville’s Isaac Hardin, who was deemed an honorable mention catcher in 3A.

Cullman and state champ Spanish Fort each landed three players on the honorary squad, the Black and Gold’s highest total since 2011. Only one other team — Marbury — touted two.

This is the ninth consecutive year and 10th in the last 11 the Bearcats have had at least one first-team pick.

“I thought we had a lot of guys who had All-State type years,” Cullman coach Brent Patterson said. “It’s nice to get noticed and have some guys that turned some heads.”

Lovell actually began turning his teammates’ heads as an eighth-grader. He’d put on such a show during batting practice that “it was almost like you should buy a ticket at times.”

Lovell’s dinger demonstrations weren’t just reserved for drills this spring. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound spectacle shook off some early struggles and turned the corner at the Hoover Classic, quickly emerging as one of the state’s most feared hitters.

Lovell, who already has an offer from Alabama, left the building seven times from April 1-10. The last five were blasted in a four-game span against worthy opponents in Southside, Huntsville and Hartselle.

And then there’s the 26-game hitting streak Lovell carried into the state championship series. The right fielder’s stats during the run — five three-hit games, 10 two-hit games, 10 home runs and 48 RBIs — were mind-boggling, and so was Cullman’s 24-2 record.

“He basically carried us,” Patterson said. “He wasn’t doing it in the nine-hole. He was doing it with runners on base. He was doing it against good people. He was doing it in big spots.”

Lovell turned the late-season streak into some pretty nifty overall numbers that were impossible for the ASWA to ignore. By the end of the Bearcats’ 42-12 campaign, he was the proud owner of a .436 batting average, .904 slugging percentage, 29 doubles — a new program record and third all-time in the state — 14 home runs, 64 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

“He got on that string where every ball he hit, it seems like he was hitting doubles and home runs,” Patterson said. “By gosh, it was just something to sit back and admire. Really, I saw Ben Moore go on some tears like that, but for a freshman to do that, it was something special.”

Cleveland would’ve been the best hitter on the majority of prep squads in the state but just so happened to bat in front of — and be understandably overshadowed by — Cullman’s ninth-grade wonder.

The senior didn’t have a single varsity home run when he signed with Wallace State before the spring. After beefing up in the offseason, though, he wound up with five, none more important than an early shot in the semis versus Briarwood Christian. The lefty went back-to-back with Lovell twice and Cristian Martinez once.

Cleveland was the only Cullman kid with a hit on both days in Montgomery. He had at least one in nine of the team’s 10 postseason games.

Put it all together, and Cleveland batted .415, slugged .636, picked up 52 RBIs and 38 runs, and even swiped five bases. His 73 hits and 24 doubles are top-three marks in program history.

“Lance is just very steady. Every day, he’s the same. There’s no rollercoaster type deal,” Patterson said. “He’s a steady leader in the box. He’s a steady leader in the locker room and weight room. And I don’t think there’s any way he couldn’t have rubbed off and had an impact on Owen’s year for sure.”

Cleveland’s bat will surely be missed, but so will his glove. The adept defender was a pretty spectacular scooper who rarely let throws by and snared his fair share of screamers down the line.

“Every infielder has a great first baseman that can bail him out at times — and Lance bailed us out many times,” Patterson said. “We felt like he’s always been really good around the bag. And this year, he probably did take another jump.”

Good would’ve been a suitable descriptor for Neal’s regular season.

As for the playoffs? Brilliant.

Neal started his supreme postseason with a gutsy save against Athens before reeling off a trio of complete game shutouts the next three weeks. He took a state-record streak of scoreless innings tossed into the championship series that was ultimately snapped at 25 1/3.

Neal’s All-State moment came in the semifinals at Briarwood, specifically the third inning of the nightcap. The righty opened the frame with three walks walks in a row, only to come up clutch and close it by setting the next three batters down on strikes.

Patterson had a hard time putting his finger on the single intangible that made Neal “one of the biggest competitors I’ve ever been around in my life.” In the end, there were just too many to consider.

“His will to win was unmatched,” Patterson said. “You couldn’t help but be around him and see that spill over onto the next guy.”

Neal, who’s heading to Wallace State, was the epitome of a playoff hero. The hurler seamlessly took over as the team’s ace when Sam Huser was shelved with an arm injury following a first-round gem.

The late surge led to an 8-2 record with a save in 57 2/3 innings scattered over 14 appearances. Neal struck out 76 batters and sported a super-low earned run average (1.70) and WHIP (1.13).

“When Sam Huser went down, it was almost like, alright, well somebody’s button is going to be pushed,” Patterson said. “So Auston’s name was called, and he answered the bell. He was there, the opportunity was placed in front of him and he made the most of it.”

Hardin, the All-County Player of the Year, used his hulky frame and deceptive athleticism to make an impact at the plate, behind it and on the mound for Hanceville.

The junior showed out with a .404 batting average, .691 slugging percentage, five home runs, 46 RBIs, 15 doubles, a triple and 39 runs. He threw out 15 runners before teams stopped bothering to even try on the basepaths.

Hanceville was 21-11 and clinched its first county title and playoff berth since 2005.

See the entire 2014 All-State Baseball Team below:

Class 6A

P – Brax Garrett, Foley, So.

P – Braden Olive, Northview, Sr.

P – Jake Walters, Thompson, Sr.

P – Mason Duke, Spain Park, Jr.

C – Hayden White, Prattville, Sr.

1B – Matthew Christian, Opelika, Jr.

2B – Lee Clark, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr.

3B – Kyle Wright, Buckhorn, Sr.

SS – Matt Sanders, Bob Jones, Sr.

OF – Keith Holcombe, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr.

OF – Jamal Howard, Central-Phenix City, Sr.

OF – Sam Finnerty, Pelham, Jr.

DH – Austin Haight, Spain Park, Sr.

DH – Tanner Burns, Decatur, Fr.

UTL – Whitt Davis, Huntsville, Jr.

UTL – Will Sipes, Sparkman, Jr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Jake Walters, Thompson

Hitter of the Year: Sam Finnerty, Pelham

Player of the Year: Sam Finnerty, Pelham

Coach of the Year: Will Smith, Spain Park

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Kyle Stuart, Northridge, Jr.; Brock Anderson, Sparkman, So.; Blake Rivera, Smiths Station, So.

Catcher: Jarod Howell, Sparkman, Fr.; Hunter Stovall , Pelham, Jr.

First base: Chance Willard, Hazel Green, Sr.

Second base: Drew Odum, Mountain Brook, Jr.; Grey Norton, Smiths Station, Jr.

Third base: Caleb Lynn, Smiths Station, Jr.; Brendan Donovan, Enterprise, Jr.; Josh Flowers, Lee-Montgomery, Sr.

Shortstop: Carter Pharis, Hewitt-Trussville, Jr.

Outfield: AC Dantonio, Sparkman, Sr.; Drew Avans, Thompson, Sr.

Designated hitter: Cole Chiselko, Hoover, Sr.; Brad Norman, Auburn, Jr.

Utility: Jay Jordan, Dothan, Jr.; Austin Williams, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Sr.

 

Class 5A

P – Jesse McCord, Spanish Fort, Sr.

P – Auston Neal, Cullman, Sr.

P – Drew Mullinax, Southside-Gadsden, Sr.

P – Zac Rogers, Benjamin Russell, Sr.

C – Brian Lane, Spanish Fort, Sr.

1B – Lance Cleveland, Cullman, Sr.

2B – Colton Thomas, Marbury, Sr.

3B – Tyler Oates, Demopolis, Sr.

SS – Jared Nixon, Marbury, Jr.

OF – Malik Rosier, Faith Academy, Sr.

OF – Jordan Brown, Rehobeth, Sr.

OF – Owen Lovell, Cullman, Fr.

DH – Brett Blackwood, Hartselle, Sr.

DH – Ben Rhodes, East Limestone, Sr.

UTL – Ethan Simmons, Briarwood Christian, Sr.

UTL – Will Luft, Spanish Fort, Sr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Jesse McCord, Spanish Fort

Hitter of the Year: Owen Lovell, Cullman

Player of the Year: Jesse McCord, Spanish Fort

Coach of the Year: Matt Ream, Rehobeth

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Tristan Davis, Pleasant Grove, Sr.; Seth Arroyo, Rehobeth, Sr.

Catcher: Matt West, Southside-Gadsden, Sr.; Josh McDaniel, Brookwood, Sr.

First base: Raequan Kelley, Eufaula, Sr.

Second base: Caleb Ledbetter, Etowah, Sr.

Third base: Brooks Wade, Walker, Sr.

Shortstop: Strauss Outlaw, Carroll, Jr.; Alan Smith, Fort Payne, Jr.

Outfield: Rob Perteet, Spanish Fort, Sr.; Blake Devine, Southside-Gadsden, Sr.

Designated hitter: Brett Powers, Carroll, Sr.

Utility: Wes Crawford , Mortimer Jordan, Sr.; KeWayne McCray, Brookwood, Sr.

 

Class 4A

P – Cody Reed, Ardmore, Sr.

P – Jonah Todd, Oak Grove, Sr.

P – John Michael Stephens, Charles Henderson, Sr.

P – Garrett Deloney, Alabama Christian, Sr.

C – Chase Smartt, Charles Henderson, Jr.

1B – Austin Ingram, Charles Henderson, Jr.

2B – Hunter Musso, Oneonta, Sr.

3B – Brady Bedingfield, Brooks, Sr.

SS – Dalton Cobb, Alexandria, Jr.

OF – John Johnson, Charles Henderson, Sr.

OF – Chandler Taylor, Alabama Christian, Jr.

OF – Luke Wall, Oneonta, Jr.

DH – Riley Phillips, Brooks, Jr.

DH – Troy Dixon, UMS-Wright, Jr.

UTL – Nathan Langley, Beauregard, Sr.

UTL – Clayton Daniel, Guntersville, Sr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Cody Reed, Ardmore

Hitter of the Year: Chase Smartt, Charles Henderson

Player of the Year: Cody Reed, Ardmore

Coach of the Year: Andrew Smith, Ardmore

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Justin Scherzinger, Andalusia, Sr.; Justin Whitley, Alexandria, Jr.; Hunter Hood, Haleyville, Sr.; Blake O’Bryant, Oneonta, Sr.

Catcher: Jacob Twilley, Dora, Sr.

First base: A.J. Wilder, Guntersville, Sr.

Second base: Grant Barber, UMS-Wright, So.; Zach Lightsey, Childersburg, Jr.

Third base: Brandon Smith, Andalusia, Sr.

Shortstop: Ko Powell, Oneonta, So.

Outfield: TJ Lockett, Bibb County, Sr.

Designated hitter: Hunter Baggett, Charles Henderson, Sr.; Peyton Logan, Childersburg, Sr.

Utility: Parker Moman, Ashford, Sr.

 

Class 3A

P – Taylor Hayes, Piedmont, Fr.

P – Taylor Clemons, Madison Academy, Jr.

P – Tyler Craft, Colbert County, Sr.

P – Jamison Roney, Geneva, Jr.

C – Matt Morgan, Thorsby, Sr.

1B – Carson McGregory, Deshler, Sr.

2B – Dalton Reach, American Christian, Sr.

3B – John David Isbell, Colbert County, Jr.

SS – John Trousdale, Lauderdale County, So.

OF – J.T. Hyche, American Christian, Jr.

OF – Greg Lambert, Madison Academy, Sr.

OF – Nate Harcrow, Sipsey Valley, Sr.

DH – Tyler Owens, Thorsby, Jr.

DH – Trent Jones, Hamilton, Jr.

UTL – Chase Hamrick, Montevallo, Sr.

UTL – Seth Hamilton, Clements, Sr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Taylor Clemons, Madison Academy

Hitter of the Year: Matt Morgan, Thorsby

Player of the Year: Matt Morgan, Thorsby

Coach of the Year: PJ Guy, Sipsey Valley

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Payne Anderson, Plainview, Jr.; Jonathan Pintaro, Montevallo, So.; Patton Jones, Lauderdale County, Sr.; Zach Reid, Trinity, Sr.; Ethan Davis, Opp, Sr.; Will Booth, American Christian, Jr.; Cody Mills, Sipsey Valley, Jr.; Kyle Davis, T.R. Miller, Jr.

Catcher: Isaac Hardin, Hanceville, Jr.; Caleb Spears, Plainview, Sr.

First base: Austin Chastang, Bayside Academy, So.

Second base: Daniel Rolf, Slocomb, Jr.; Trace Johnston, Trinity, Jr.

Third base: Bryan Rodopoulos, Montgomery Catholic, Jr.; Justin Thomas, Sipsey Valley, So.

Shortstop: Hunter Slater, Bayside Academy, Sr.; Blake Coward, Madison Academy, Jr.

Outfield: Payton Young, Piedmont, So.; Nick Mercier, Colbert County, Sr.; Caleb Squires, American Christian, So.; Bo McLaughlin, Madison Academy, Sr.

Designated hitter: Landen Davis, Sipsey Valley, Jr.; Caid Cornelius, Lauderdale County, Sr.

Utility: Eli Johnson, Opp, Jr.; Cody Willingham, Plainview, Jr.

 

Class 2A

P – Ryan Ruggles, Sheffield, Sr.

P – Kirk Maddox, Houston Academy, Sr.

P – Heath McRae, Section, Sr.

P – Braxton Wallace, Leroy, Sr.

C – Brady Johnson, Houston Academy, So.

1B – Blaine Beaird, Westbrook Christian, Sr.

2B – Drake Beavers, Sheffield, Sr.

3B – Austin Odom, Luverne, Jr.

SS – Tanner Luker, Sweet Water, Sr.

OF – Deacon Medders, Hale County, So.

OF – Ross Anderson, Section, Sr.

OF – Tristan Rice, G.W. Long, Sr.

DH – Cody Goff, Section, Sr.

DH – Jaylon Jenkins, Ohatchee, Fr.

UTL – Austin Fain, Ariton, Jr.

UTL – Kenterius Womack, Luverne, Jr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Kirk Maddox, Houston Academy

Hitter of the Year: Blaine Beaird, Westbrook Christian

Player of the Year: Kirk Maddox, Houston Academy

Coach of the Year: Tony Kirkland, Houston Academy

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Kyle Cameron, Hale County, Jr.; Hunter Avery, Mobile Christian, So.

Catcher: Colby White, Sulligent, So.; Gabe Crain, Gaston, Jr.; Brett Baker, Sheffield, Jr.

First base: Kyle Walker, G.W. Long, So.

Second base: Jerrin Hester, Sulligent, Jr.; Luke Anderson, Section, Sr.

Third base: Ethan Jones, Fyffe, So.; Calab Coaker, G.W. Long, Jr.

Shortstop: Jeffrey Omohundro, Houston Academy, So.; Ethan Jimmerson, Sand Rock, Sr.

Outfield: Jake Kilgo, Westbrook Christian, Sr.; Daniel Dees, Leroy, Sr.; Tyler Ashley, Fyffe, So.

Designated hitter: Austin Spann, Lamar County, So.

Utility: Alec Reeves, Houston Academy, Sr.; Justin Lee, Zion Chapel, Sr.

 

Class 1A

P – Leighton Lary, St. Luke’s, So.

P – Austin Franklin, Florala, So.

P – Weston Bonner, Berry, Sr.

P – Zach Ivey, Athens Bible, Sr.

C – Trenton Simmons, Geneva County, Sr.

1B – Drew Dismukes, St. Luke’s, Sr.

2B – Luke Phillips, St. Luke’s, Jr.

3B – Mitchell Boyd, Shoals Christian, Sr.

SS – Tanner Traglia, Shoals Christian, Sr.

OF – Brandon Cook, St. Luke’s, Sr.

OF – Carter Corneil, Athens Bible, Sr.

OF – Dalton Davis, Billingsley, Jr.

DH – Devante Dixon, Cedar Bluff, Jr.

DH – Mikey Rogers, Shades Mountain Christian, Sr.

UTL – Ryan Bradford, Falkville, Jr.

UTL – Patrick Smith, Kinston, Sr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Leighton Lary, St. Luke’s

Hitter of the Year: Brandon Cook, St. Luke’s

Player of the Year: Brandon Cook, St. Luke’s

Coach of the Year: Bill Murrell, Athens Bible

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Garrison Mays, Lynn, So.; Landon Lindsay, Geneva County, Jr.; Matthew Sheffield, Georgiana, Jr.

Catcher: Cole Murphy, Gaylesville, Sr.; Colby Wheeler, Winterboro, Sr.; Spencer Black, Sumiton Christian, Sr.

First base: Weston Brasell, Fayetteville, So.

Second base: Tristan Alexander, Sumiton Christian, So.; Logan Bailey, Kinston, Sr.

Third base: Will Rowell, Shades Mountain Christian, Jr.

Shortstop: Evan Love, Sumiton Christian, So.

Outfield: Dalton Cosby, Cedar Bluff, Sr.; Zane McGrady, Fayetteville, So.; Andrew Pelts, Winterboro, Sr.

Designated hitter: Danny Haskell, St. Luke’s, Jr.; Collin Fuller, Decatur Heritage, Jr.

Utility: Grant Benefield, Spring Garden, Sr.; Gable Lawson, Gaylesville, Sr.; Harrison Boozer, Shades Mountain Christian, So.

 

AISA

P – Austin Menard, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr.

P – Tanner Thomason, Glenwood, Sr.

P – Christian Smith, Edgewood, So.

P – Colton Pate, Coosa Valley, Sr.

C – Hayden Nichols, Clarke Prep, Sr.

1B – Robey Smalley, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr.

2B – Corey Lowe, Lowndes, Sr.

3B – Heath Young, Edgewood, Sr.

SS – Chandler Avant, Pike Liberal, Sr.

OF – Kyle Helms, Abbeville Christian, Sr.

OF – D.J. Thomas, Hooper, Jr.

OF – Colby Myers, Clarke Prep, Sr.

DH – Drew Spivey, Lakeside, Jr.

DH – Kyle Friday, Marengo Academy, Jr.

UTL – Taylor Hawthorne, Edgewood, Sr.

UTL – Caleb Tucker, Clarke Prep, Sr.

 

Pitcher of the Year: Austin Menard, Tuscaloosa Academy

Hitter of the Year: Chandler Avant, Pike Liberal

Player of the Year: Chandler Avant, Pike Liberal

Coach of the Year: Darrell Hobson, Clarke Prep

 

Honorable mention

Pitcher: Chase Laney, Edgewood, Sr.; Zach Paulene, Autauga Academy, Sr.; Ryan Burkett, Fort Dale, Jr.; Hayden Huckabee, Marengo Academy, So.

Catcher: Tucker Johnson, SMCA, Jr.; Chapman Dean, Macon-East, So.

First base: Elijah Owen, Eastwood, Sr.

Second base: Drake Cabe, Fort Dale, Jr.; David Cayton, Edgewood, Jr.

Third base: Lathan Johnson, Tuscaloosa Academy, Sr.; Brant Lewis, Marengo Academy, Sr.

Shortstop: Brandon Moseley, Glenwood, Fr.; Garrett Headley, Lowndes, Sr.

Outfield: Matt Johnson, Macon-East, Jr.; Lawson Humphries, Glenwood, Jr.; Wil Pouncey, Coosa Valley, Sr.; Dezmond Howard, Hooper, Sr.

Designated Hitter: Matthew Parnell, Clarke Prep, Jr.; Michael Mims, Coosa Valley, Sr.

Utility: Peyton Wilson, Jackson Academy, Sr.; Chad Silvani, Glenwood, Sr.

% Rob Ketcham can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 138 or at robk@cullmantimes.com.