FOUR BURTON PANTHERS MAKE THE BLUE BELL/TSWA ALL STATE BASEBALL TEAM

The Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association Class 2A All-State Baseball Team for 2026 has been announced.

Burton Pitcher Tyler Witt and New Home Shortstop Ryder Starkey were named as Co-Players of the Year.

Witt dominated the season on the mound with a 16-0 record, a 0.46 ERA, and striking out 131 batters in 90 2/3 innings pitched. He only allowed six earned runs and 18 walks, while holding opposing hitters to a .144 batting average.

At the plate, Witt had a .356 batting average, a .483 on-base percentage, five doubles, five triples, one home run, 17 RBIs, 40 runs scored, and 20 walks.

Also making the list for the Panthers, were Catcher Braydon Martin, who received Second Team honors, First Baseman Eli Jaeger, who received Third Team honors, and OF Coy Gurka, who was named Honorable Mention.

This past season, Martin had a .450 batting average, a .568 on-base percentage, and a .725 slugging percentage. He also added six doubles, five triples, two home runs, 39 RBIs, and drew 24 walks.

Jaeger led the Panthers with a .532 batting average, and a .588 on-base percentage. He finished with a .623 slugging percentage to go along with 33 RBIs, 24 runs scored, and 13 walks.

Gurka finished with a .327 batting average and a .514 on-base percentage. He scored 31 runs, walked 15 times, and had 12 RBIs.

The Iola Bulldogs had three players make the All-State Team. Pitcher Brody Vaughn was named to the Second Team, while Catcher Weston Rubion and Outfielder Colin Fowler both received Honorable Mention.

The Mumford Mustangs placed two players on the list. Outfielder Haylen Berlen was named to the Second Team, and Catcher Braxton Zeig was named to the Third Team.

In addition to that, Somerville Yegua Outfielder Kyle Brooks received Honorable Mention All-State as well.