By Staff
The high school baseball and softball coaches of Michigan recently voted on their All-State honors, and several local players were included.
In Division 2 baseball, Niles pitcher John Kessick made Second Team. He finished the season with a record of 8-2 and carried an ERA of 1.20 with 125 strikeouts.
In Division 3 baseball, Edwardsburg landed three players on the All-State lits. Jon Muff made the First Team while Nate and Anthony Peak both made Second Team. Brandywine's Billy Syrette joined Muff on the First Team and Casey Udell was named to the Second Team.
Muff batted .515 this past season and registered 43 stolen bases. Anthony Peak batted .376 with 32 stolen bases and Nate Peak hit .355 with 37 stolen bases.
Syrette managed a batting average of .429 this past season with 15 doubles, which is a single-season Brandywine record. He also set a school record with 48 hits. Udell batted .353 with 37 RBIs.
Brandywine's Kory Bridges, who was not among the All-State selections, set a new school record by tossing 142 strikeouts this past season.
In Division 2 softball, Dowagiac's Mandy Parish was picked for the All-State Second Team.
In Division 3 softball, Brandywine's Michelle Shoemaker, Dee Echevarria and Nicki McGowen all made the First Team while Kayla Asmus was an Honorable Mention selection.
Shoemaker, who switched from catcher to first base for most of this past season, batted .322 and Echevarria, who took over as catcher, managed a team-best average of .368.
McGowen, who was a four-year starter at pitcher for the Bobcats, finished her career with a record of 135-20, which is the third most wins in Michigan history. She also managed 1,202 strikeouts (sixth all-time) with a 38-5 record this season, which is the fifth best in Michigan history. Finally, her 453 strikeouts in the 2004 season ranks as the eighth most in the state's history.