Seven area players chosen for All-Star game

Seven area athletes are set to play in the senior-only Victoria College/Chick-Fil-A High School Baseball All-Star Game on Monday, June 3.

Devin Benes, Tyler Janota, Cole Hybner, Colby Schrade, Mitchell McElroy, Brady Cejka, and Austin Esse have been selected to play in the game, which will be at 6 p.m. at Riverside Park in Victoria.

Benes and Janota will represent the Gonzales Apaches at the All-Star game.

Benes played catcher for the Apaches.  His batting average was an impressive .355 that includes nine doubles and three homeruns.

Janota was the Apaches starting pitcher.  Despite his 6-5 record, Janota threw 109 strikeouts in 74 innings.  His ERA was 2.93.

Representing the TAPPS 1A/2A state champion St. Paul Cardinals are pitcher/center fielder Cole Hybner, pitcher/shortstop Colby Schrade, and second baseman Mitchell McElroy.

Hybner finished the season throwing 95 strikeouts on 51 innings.  On the offensive side, Hybner’s batting average was a .547, including seven doubles, five triples, and three homeruns.

Schrade also had a remarkable season as pitcher, throwing 34 strikeouts in 26 innings of play.  His batting average was a .538, including five doubles, seven triples, and one homerun.

McElroy finished his season with a batting average of .443, including five doubles and two homeruns.

The Shiner Comanches will send Cejka and Esse to the All-Star game.

Cejka played shortstop and batted .404, including 33 runs scored, five doubles, one triple, and one homerun.  The three-year starter also stole 17 bases and had excellent fielding, with a percentage at .917.

Esse manned many positions, playing pitcher, catcher and first base.  As a batter, he averaged .256 with three doubles and 20 RBIs.  Despite the 4-2 record, Esse threw 70 strikeouts in 47 innings.  His ERA was 3.28.  The two-year starter also had an excellent fielding percentage with a .979.