ALL-STATE MATERIAL

 

Shiner’s Condel, other area players honored by Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association

 

BY MIKE FORMAN - ADVOCATE SPORTS WRITER

July 01, 2008 - 10:03 p.m.

Shiner baseball coaches Daniel Boedeker and Ray Neal scrutinized every part of Kyle Condel’s swing and he wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“I really focused on my hitting this season,” Condel said. “Every little thing I did wrong both coaches were critiquing. That helped me tremendously.”

Condel completed his senior season hitting .526 with five home runs, three triples, seven doubles and 39 RBI. He had an on-base percentage of .694, scored 31 runs and was successful on 21 of his 22 stolen base attempts.

“Average-wise this was the best year he had for us at the plate,” Boedeker said. “His swing came around and of course, he was a leader for us.”

Condel’s numbers were impressive enough to earn him a spot on the first team of the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association’s Class 1A all-state squad, which was released Tuesday.

Shiner second baseman D.J. Pustka and Flatonia catcher Hunter Pinney and Flatonia outfielder Dallas Ponder were selected to the Class 1A second team and Flatonia pitcher Dakota Pinney was picked for the third team.

Cuero pitcher Mark Herrera, second baseman Chance Harryman and outfielder Tyler Arndt were selected to the Class 3A second team.

Schulenburg outfielder Dylan Langhamer was chosen for the Class 2A second team.

Condel’s concentration on his offense didn’t prevent him from having another outstanding year on the mound.

He had an 8-5 record with one save and an ERA of 2.37, while striking out 125 in 76.2 innings.

Condel was the co-MVP in District 28-1A and a first-team selection on the Advocate’s all-area team as the Comanches advanced to the regional quarterfinals.

“That was my biggest disappointment,” Condel said. “We were one game away from the state tournament last season and we were determined to take the next step. I felt like we had better talent, it just didn’t come together at times.”

Condel said he is “99.9 percent” sure he will play at Alvin Community College next season and is likely to play in the outfield and pitch.

“He was always a good pitcher and the only thing he was lacking for the next step was just a little velocity,” Boedeker said.

“I knew he had a future in the outfield. He has all the tools to play in the outfield and he can play any of the three spots out there. I think that’s what Alvin saw in him as well and I think they want him to play a dual role.”

Condel has been playing with the Central Texas Storm, a select team out of Schulenburg, this summer and working on his pitching with former major leaguer and Shiner native Jeremy Fikac.

“I’ve been working a lot with Jeremy and we’ve got my fastball pretty consistent at 85 (mph),” Condel said. “I think I can pitch and play in the outfield at Alvin.”

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