From his freshman start on the Lawrence County High Schoolbaseball team, Scott Votaw has continued to grow and improve as apitcher and a hitter.

Votaw, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 195 pounds, improved hispitching record his sophomore year to 9-2 and helped the Cougars toa 23-10 record, including the Division 6-4A Championship. He hasthe frame wide shoulders of an athlete.

For his accomplishments, Votaw has been selected The DAILYLEADER’S Most Valuable Player and Mr. Baseball on the 2009 All-AreaBaseball Team.

Also receiving special recognition on the DL’s All-Area Team arepitcher Scotty Reese and catcher Hunter Renfroe of Copiah Academyas Most Valuable Defensive and Offensive Players of the Yearrespectively.

Also selected as pitchers were Conner Oakes of Lawrence Countyand Blake Brown of Parklane Academy. Other catchers are HunterRenfroe of Copiah, Bradley Brock of McComb and Christian Johnson ofFranklin County.

Infielders include Dontrell Sargeant of Parklane, Willie Buckleyof Lawrence County, Colton Laird of Franklin County and KellyArtigues of McComb.

Making up the outfield are Bryce Guess of Copiah, Wesley Wilsonof Lawrence County, Chris Fink of Wesson and Dehendret Collins ofFranklin County.

The designated hitters are Justin Baden of North Pike and MattP. Smith of Wesson.

Caleb Broome of Wesson and Ben Boone of Copiah are the utilityplayers. Working as the auxiliary player is Kyle Adams ofParklane.

The All-Area Team, featuring players outside of Lincoln County,was selected by the DL Sports Department members, with inputprovided by area high school and college coaches.

“It’s an honor to be selected,” said Votaw. “This is one of thebest defensive teams I have played with. The outfield makes theplays. To have that gives me a lot of confidence.”

On the mound, Votaw’s ERA is 2.39 with 95 strikeouts and 11walks in 58.6 innings pitched. At the plate, he batted .476 with 5home runs, 3 triples, 13 doubles, 42 RBIs and 36 runs scored.

“Scott had another good year,” said Lawrence County head coachCory Keyes. “He is a hard worker. He topped his numbers batting andhis home runs went up. His strikeouts went up and his walks wentdown. We’re glad he is going to be around two more years withus.”

Votaw was named to the MAC Class 4A All-State second team. Hisfour pitches are 4- seam fastball, 2-seam fastball, curveball andchangeup. His fastball has been clocked at 86 mph.

Votaw said he appreciates his catcher Dillon Lee. “Dillon worksreal well with me. He helps me through the rough spots. He lets meknow he has my back.”

In the summer, Votaw is playing baseball with Lawrence County.When not playing, he is working out and running.

“I’d like to thank God for blessing me with what I’ve got,”added Votaw. “I’d like to thank my parents for all their support.And thank all three coaches for helping make me better.”

Votaw’s favorite team is the Boston Red Sox.

Scotty Reese (6-3, 173), a senior, helped the Copiah AcademyColonels to a 29-5 record and the MPSA State AA ChampionshipPlayoffs. Reese’s record was 11-3 with 124 strikeouts. His ERA was2.88 in 80 innings pitched. He has signed with William CareyCollege.

“It’s like any other honor when you receive it,” said Reese. “Ithrow a fastball, curveball, changeup and slider. My catcher(Hunter Renfroe) helped make me look good.”

At the plate, Reese batted .461, hitting 10 doubles, 4 triples,7 home runs and collecting 54 RBIs. He was selected to the MPSAClass AA-AAA South All-Star team and was MVP in the District4-AA.

“Scotty is a great player the last 2 years here,” said Copiahhead baseball coach Scooter Prince, the 2009 All-Area Coach of theYear. “He’ll be missed this year. He stepped it up this year. Hehad better control. He showed how to be a senior leader.”

Reese’s favorite Major League player is Chipper Jones of theAtlanta Brave. His favorite team is the Minnesota Twins.

Hunter Renfroe (6-10, 180), a junior, caught for Reese. At theplate, Renfroe held a .425 average with 14 home runs, 2 triples, 9doubles and 57 RBIs.

“It’s an honor,” said Renfroe. “This was my third year catchingfor Scotty. Sometimes he misses his mark but otherwise, he ispretty good.

‘We had a good year,” added Renfroe. “Hopefully we will go allthe way and win it next year.”

His favorite Major League player is catcher Brian McCann of theBraves.

“Hunter hit with a lot of power,” complimented Prince. “He hasthe ability to go to a 4-year college next year.”

Conner Oakes, a senior, finished with a 9-2 record for LawrenceCounty. Oakes finished with 37 strikeouts and 27 walks in 53innings. At the plate, he had a .440 batting average with 7 homeruns, 2 triples, 11 doubles for 40 RBI. He scored 41 runs and stole10 bases.

Oakes was All-Area Offensive Player of the Year.

Blake Brown, a senior, pitched for the McComb Parklane Pioneersand finished the season with a 6-3 record. Brown’s ERA was 1.75with 75 strikeouts in 44 innings. At the plate, he finished with a.310 batting average with 3 home runs and 5 doubles.

Brown, who signed a baseball scholarship at Southwest CommunityCollege, was named to the All-Star Team and was 2nd TeamAll-Conference.

Bradley Brock, a junior, caught for the McComb Tigers. Brockbatted. 350 with 10 doubles and 31 RBI. He scored 35 runs and threwout 60 percent of base runners.

Christian Johnston, a senior, helped the Franklin CountyBulldogs to a 13-10 record while working as catcher. Johnston helda .365 batting average with 8 doubles. He was named Team MVP.

Johnston signed a soccer scholarship with the Co-Lin Wolves.

Dontrell Sargeant, a senior, played first base for Parklane.Sargeant batted .427 with 4 home runs. He scored 12 runs and had 31RBIs. Sargeant, who signed to play baseball with SouthwestCommunity College, was All Conference and named to the All-StarTeam.

Willie Buckley, a junior, finished the season with a 4-2 recordas a pitcher for Lawrence County. Buckley held a 3.92 ERA with 44strikeouts and 37 walks in 39.33 innings pitched. He batted .405and hit 7 homers, 3 triples, 9 doubles. He had 29 RBI, 50 runs and8 stolen bases.

Colton Laird, a junior, was an infielder for Franklin County.Laird finished the season with a 395 batting average with 8doubles. He was named Offensive MVP.

Kelly Artigues, a senior, played shortstop at McComb andfinished with a .575 batting average. Artigues ripped 4 home runs,8 doubles, 26 RBIs and scored 42 runs. His on base percentage was675. He is going to try out for the Millsaps baseball team.

Bryce Guess, a junior, was a centerfielder for Copiah. Guessfinished the season with a .476 batting average, drilling 8 homeruns, 12 doubles and 40 RBI.

Wesley Wilson, a senior, finished the season with a .405 battingaverage for Lawrence County. Wilson homered 5 times and had 30 RBI.He played in the outfield.

Chris Fink, a senior, played center field for the Wesson Cobras.Fink batted .390, drilling 2 triples and 5 doubles and scoring 25runs. He also had 30 hits with 16 RBIs.

Dehendret Collins, a junior, was a left-handed pitcher andoutfielder for Franklin County. Collins finished with a .405batting average including a home run, 6 doubles and 2 triples. Hehad a 4-5 pitching record and was named District 7-3A DefensivePlayer of the Year.

Justin Baden, a senior, was a pitcher and shortstop for theNorth Pike Jaguars. Baden was 6-1 on the mound with a 1.32 ERA,including 69 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit .529 with 3 homers,14 doubles and stole 19 bases.

Matt P. Smith, a sophomore, played shortstop for Wesson. Smithfinished with a. 500 batting average, plus 6 home runs, 10 doubles,2 triples and 34 RBIs and 36 hits

Caleb Broome, a junior, pitched and played shortstop at Wesson.Broome held a .322 batting average. He finished with 19 hits,including a triple and 4 doubles, scored 23 runs and had 12RBIs.

Broom was 7-3 on the mound with a 2.01 ERA, including 60strikeouts and 27 walks. He allowed 39 runs (17 earned).

Ben Boone, a junior, was a pitcher and infielder for Copiah.Boone, 10-1 on the mound, had a 1.35 ERA with 65 strikeouts In 57innings. At the plate, he batted .455 with a home run, 2 triples, 8doubles, and 27 RBIs. Boone stole 18 bases.

Kyle Adams, a senior, played the infield for Parklane. Adamsfinished with a .310 batting average and smashed 3 homers and 3doubles. He signed to play baseball at Southwest.

HONORABLE MENTION

FRANKLIN CO. – Austin McFarland, Hunter Hatcher.

LAWRENCE CO. – Tyler Reeves, Ford Johnson, Lane Stephens, DillonLee.

MCCOMB – Zach Rowell.

PARKLANE – Shelby Johnson, Austin Terrell, Josh Armstreet, AlexPrice Wes Gill.

WESSON – Matt S. Smith.