Lions earn All-State Baseball recognition

The Iowa Newspaper Association announced its 2013 All-State Baseball selections Aug. 6, naming Clear Lake’s Gavin Sheakley as captain of the Class 3A All-State Baseball Team and placing teammate Mitch Keeran on the Third Team.

Sheakley led Clear Lake to its first-ever state baseball championship. After an outstanding season leading up to the State Tournament, the senior went 2-0 on the mound in the 3A tournament with a 1.62 earned run average. He threw one and one-third innings of shutout relief in the Lions’ come-from-behind first-round victory over Chariton, and had a complete-game two-hit effort in their semifinal victory over Harlan. On the season he was 12-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings of work. He also hit .446 with 54 runs scored and 29 stolen bases.

Keeran, a sophomore, was a power hitter for the Lions with 47 hits in 41 games played for a .382 average.  He blasted 11 doubles and three home runs, yielding 39 RBIs.  His slugging percentage was .545.

Sheakley and Keeran were also First Team All District picks for the Class 3A Central District.

Named to the Second Team Class 3A Central District were pitcher Jerry Kockler, catcher Rowdy Yates and third baseman Luke Schiller.

Kockler, a senior, compiled a 12-1 record on the mound this season.  He struck out 108 batters in 82 and one-third innings pitched and walked 32.  His earned run average was 2.13.

Yates, a sophomore, batted .306 this season.  He had 30 hits in 39 games played, good for 23 RBIs. His hits included three doubles.  The Lion catcher threw out seven of 21 runners trying to steal second, including five of 11 during NCC play.

Schiller, a senior, compiled a .355 batting average with 44 hits in 40 games. His on-base percentage was .452.  He finished the season with 30 RBIs and a slugging percentage of .371.