Three Trojan players make All-State team

The Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association has released its All-State teams for the 2014 baseball season.

After leading the Trojans to the state tournament on the pitcher?s mound, Fairfield senior Joe Hietpas was given even more accolades for his efforts. Hietpas was given the Lanny Peterson All-Academic Award and was named to the All-State ?Super Team,? which takes the 16 best players in the state regardless of class.

Fairfield went 30-8 on the season, and Hietpas earned two playoff wins along the way. In the state quarterfinals against Dallas Center-Grimes, the Trojan ace pitched eight innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out eight.

Two more Trojans received recognition from the IAHSBCA. Senior Austin Gridley was selected to the All-State first team in an outfield slot. Gridley led the Trojans with 11 home runs, 34 RBIs and a .417 batting average. Gridley?s 11 home runs placed him tied for fourth place in Iowa in the long ball category.

Cameron Baumann made the All-State second team. The freshman made an outfield slot after hitting eight home runs and driving in 24 runs. Baumann finished the season tied with three other Trojans for the team lead in runs scored with 30. He also made an impact on the pitcher?s mound, where he finished the season with a 2.20 ERA over 41 1/3 innings of work.

Two Van Buren players were able to make the Class 1A teams. Shortstop Garrett Saunders made the first team, while third baseman Robby Laughlin made the second team. Saunders batted .504 and led the state in stolen bases with 52. Laughlin hit five home runs and finished with 31 RBIs.