Christian Dale is in a class by himself.
The Columbus High School sophomore recently was named to The Clarion-Ledger Class 6A All-State team. The right-handed pitcher/infielder was named to the second team. He was the only underclassman named to the squad, which featured a first and a second team.
“It felt great,” Dale said. “I saw I was the only one on the list and I was like, ”Whoa, it is awesome for me.” ”
Hamilton High School senior Chase Reeves also was named the Class 2A Player of the Year. Reeves, a left-handed pitcher/first baseman/outfielder, has signed a baseball scholarship at the University of Mississippi.
Dale paced Columbus (14-15) in batting average (.403) and in wins and innings pitched. His play was an integral part of Columbus” near upset of Warren Central in the first round of the North State playoffs.
Even though Dale lost Game 1 of the best-of-three series 6-5, Columbus High coach Jeffrey Cook said that performance helped Dale get recognized.
“Warren Central played Clinton and Madison Central and saw some of their best pitchers and they said (Christian) was the best pitcher they had faced all year based on the way he could throw multiple pitches for strikes,” Cook said. “It is a big honor for him (to get named to the All-State team). I am happy we have him on our team for two more years.”
Dale isn”t resting on his laurels. He will play for Columbus High”s team that will play in the Dizzy Dean league. He also will play for a Golden Spikes travel baseball team out of Meridian and the Chattanooga Cherokees, another travel baseball team out of Tennessee.
All of that baseball might wear out some players, but Dale said he enjoys staying busy because he wants to continue to improve. He feels he improved his hitting and grew stronger on the mound with the addition of another pitch to his repertoire. He feels the All-State honor will motivate him to reach even higher goals next season.
“I am going to use it a lot,” Dale said. “I definitely want to get better for next year and to throw a little bit harder and to be a little bit more accurate. I also want to hit over .450 and to improve my fielding.”
Cook sees no reason why Dale won”t keep getting better and better.
“He was our MVP,” Cook said. “He led us in hitting and pitching and has improved every year I have been around him. Without him we wouldn”t have been in playoffs and we wouldn”t have won our first playoff game in 17 years, someone said. He is a special kid.”
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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