The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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June 13, 2012

Payton Walker leads area all-state honors

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer

Carl Junction senior Payton Walker is among the area all-state baseball players announced by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Walker, a left-handed pitcher, is on the Class 4 elite as an honorable mention selection.

Walker, who’s signed with Missouri Southern, is the only Class 4 representative from southwest Missouri.

Walker was 5-5 with a 0.98 ERA. He struck out 102, walked 14 and allowed 53 hits in 78 2/3 innings.

The Bulldogs, 17-10 overall, finished second to Willard in the District 12 Tournament at Republic.

Said Carl Junction coach Flave Darnell: “Payton is very deserving. His record is deceiving. He pitched against some very tough competition this season. His losses included 2-0 to Branson, 2-1 to Big 8 Conference champion Cassville, 3-2 to Willard — all the runs were unearned — and 3-0 to Joplin.”

Mount Vernon, which reached the first round in Class 3, has two players on the elite. Cody Lee, a senior, is a first-teamer at designated hitter/utility and junior outfielder Zane Phillips is on the second team.

Seneca also has a pair of selections. Senior left-handed hurler Jared Lipe is on the second team and junior Colton Webber is an honorable mention selection in the outfield.

Ozark 7 Conference champion Purdy and Washburn Southwest, which upset the Eagles in winning a district title, are represented by three and four players, respectively, in Class 2.

Southwest has a first-teamer (senior infielder Tyler Ferguson) and three senior honorable mention choices (right-handed pitcher Jake Shrum, catcher Jordan Savage and DH/U Travis Hayworth).

Purdy has two second-teamers (junior left-handed pitcher Cameron Terry and senior outfielder Cody Hall) and an honorable mention selection (senior DH/U Reese Stevenson).

Class 1 Liberal had a first-teamer in senior right-handed pitcher Colten Selvey. He helped the Bulldogs finish second in state as a junior and helped them reach the first round.

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