Trio of East Texans Named to Louisville Slugger High School All-American Team

Three East Texas baseball players have been chosen to the 17th annual Louisville Slugger all-American team.

Earning first-team selections were Hallsville senior Ronnie Gideon and Carlisle senior Gunner Baker. Junior pitcher Connor Reich of Hallsville earned second-team honors.

The players were nominated by their high school baseball coaches, while the staff of Collegiate Baseball magazine selected the team.

Gideon, who has signed with Texas A&M, hit over .400 last season with seven homers and 38 RBIs in leading the Bobcats to the Class 4A Region II quarterfinals. Gideon was also drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball draft earlier this month.

Baker capped a stellar high school career with a Class A state championship earlier in the month. For the season, he was 14-0 with 0.24 ERA and 177 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings. He also hit .446 with a homer and 59 RBIs with 30 steals. He has signed to play at Hill College.

Reich was among the best pitchers in East Texas last season. He went 10-2 with an 0.87 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 88 1/3 innings, and also hit .383 with three homers and 31 RBIs.