By DAN HOEHNE
daniel.hoehne@newssun.com
The Florida Athletic Coaches Association released its' All-State and All-Academic Baseball teams on Thursday, with five from Highlands County making the cut.
Among the Class 4A team members from throughout the state, Avon Park's Lane Crosson and Tyrone Perry were named to the All-State squad.
Crosson was a dual threat, going 6-1 on the mound, with three saves, a 2.51 ERA, striking out 50 in 53 innings pitched and pitching in 16 of the Red Devils 26 games.
He also batted .302 on the season, with 17 RBI and three triples and shined on defense as well.
"He made big play after big play," head coach Whit Cornell said. "He's the kind of player coaches dream of. He has great attitude, hustles and has his best games in the biggest games."
Perry was also heavy-handed on the mound in numerous relief appearances, striking out 25 batters in 24 innings and recording a miniscule 1.17 ERA.
But it was his heavy hitting that really turned heads this year with his eye-popping numbers.
A .523 batting average, with 10 doubles, five home runs, 28 RBI and 29 runs scored.
And that was with teams none too eager to pitch to him, as evidenced by the 16 walks he received.
"He didn't get pitched to a lot, but he made the most of his opportunities," Cornell said. "When he is at the plate, good things happen."
Moving up to Class 6A, FACA tabbed a couple familiar names in Seth Abeln and Aaron Hart, who recently took part in the FACA Baseball All-Star Classic.
Strong and versatile in the field, Abeln was tough out at the plate, posting a .360 average, with 17 RBI and 28 runs scored.
His good eye and plate discipline also netted him 19 walks, for a .468 on base percentage, and his savvy base running garnered 10 stolen bases.
The southpaw Hart, who more than held his own when pitching to the top talent in the state in the FACA event, rolled through oppenents all season long.
He racked up five wins and one save, with a 1.28 ERA and hitters batted a miniscule .209 against him this year.
"We put their names in for consideration, and they made it," Blue Streak head coach Buck Rapp said. "I couldn't be more proud of them and what they were all able to accomplish this year."
Back down to Class 4A, a mere six players from throughout the state were named to the All-Academic team, with Lake Placid's Nevada Weaver being one of them.
Along with his wide range in the outfield, Weaver batted .324 and put his speed to use on the basepaths, swiping 21 bases.
But it was his work in the classroom that put him over the top to make this team, with perhaps the best stat of all, a 4.73 GPA.
Sunday, June 17, 2012 - www.newssun.com/SUN-6-17-12-AllState