THE BEST IN TEXAS

Shiner's Condel 1A player of the year; Memorial's Hudson 5A first-teamer

July 04, 2007 - Posted at 12:00 a.m.

BY MIKE FORMAN - ADVOCATE SPORTS WRITER

Kyle Condel was pleased with his junior season at Shiner but was far from content.

"I was half-satisfied," Condel said. "Batting-wise I felt I could have done a lot better. I was really unhappy with my pitching in the Flatonia game (a 3-2 loss). I wasn't hitting my spots in that game."

Condel was a lot harsher on himself than the voters selecting the Texas Sports Writers Association's all-state baseball teams that were released Tuesday. Condel was chosen as player of the year on the Class 1A team.

"He did a great job for us this year," Shiner coach Daniel Boedeker said of Condel, who was a first-team selection at pitcher. "He was responsible for quite a few wins as a pitcher. He also hit the ball well. He was good in both areas."

Condel helped lead Shiner to a 27-4 record and into the regional finals. He had a 16-2 record, two saves and a ERA of 1.38, while striking out 170 in 1091/3 innings. Condel hit .427 with three home runs, seven doubles and 28 RBIs. He scored 36 runs and was successful on all 28 of his stolen base attempts.

"I thought we did pretty well, especially with only having three seniors and a bunch of new people," Condel said. "That will definitely help us out for next year."

Memorial senior Mark Hudson will play at Alvin Community College next season and will do so as a first-team selection in the outfielder on the Class 5A team. Hudson helped lead the Vipers to the District 27-5A championship and into the area playoffs by hitting .495 with three home runs, three triples, nine doubles and 29 RBIs. Hudson struck out only nine times while scoring 39 runs and stealing 11 bases. Hudson also played outstanding defense in center field, going the whole season without an error and making 41 putouts with four assists.

Wharton senior Wade Mathis was selected to the Class 3A first team at first base. Mathis, who will play at Lamar University next season, hit .436 with eight home runs, one triple, seven doubles and 40 RBIs for the Tigers, who won the District 24-3A championship and advanced to the area playoffs. Mathis scored 33 runs and had 13 stolen bases.

Weimar senior Errol Jones was chosen to the Class 2A first team at second base. Jones helped lead the Wildcats to the District 28-2A championship and into the area playoffs by hitting .557 with five home runs, three triples, 17 doubles and 35 RBIs. Jones scored 34 runs and stole 10 bases.

Cuero senior Kyle Noack was a second-team selection in the outfield on the Class 3A team and East Bernard senior pitcher Paul Demny and Hallettsville senior catcher Jared Barnes were second-team picks on the Class 2A team.

Yoakum senior John Hardin was a third-team selection at third base on the Class 3A team, Boling junior Trevor Archer was a third-team pick in the outfield on the Class 2A team and Shiner junior D.J. Pustka was a third-team selection at second base on the Class 1A team.

Earning honorable mention on the Class 3A team were Cuero's Jennings Boothe at pitcher and shortstop, Wharton pitcher Kris Looper, Yoakum pitcher Covey Morrow, Gonzales second baseman Landon Bozka, Wharton outfielder Joel Ansley, Cuero outfielder Tyler Arndt and Gonzales outfielder Jacob Bird.

Hallettsville pitcher Justin Barnes, Weimar pitcher Chance Kansteiner, Bloomington catcher Sean Chapa, Schulenburg shortstop Jason Cummins and Weimar outfielder Steven Maupin received honorable mention on the Class 2A team.

Earning honorable mention on the Class 1A team were Flatonia catcher Hunter Pinney, Shiner shortstop Josh Nance and Flatonia outfielder Sean Masek.

Mike Forman is a sports writer for the Victoria Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6588 or mforman@vicad.com.