Evan Lee of Bryant, the Most Valuable Player of the 2016 Class 7A State Tournament, and teammate Zach Jackson, who pitched two shutouts during the Bryant Hornets’ run to the title, have been named all-Americans.
The American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings tabbed Lee as a member of the first team of their 2016 ABCA/Rawlings All-America team. Louisville Slugger and Collegiate Baseball newspaper have named both Lee and Jackson to their 2016 High School All-America first team.
In addition, Jackson was chosen for the ABCA/Rawlings All-Region team in Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Lee, named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Arkansas, led the Hornets in hitting with a .462 average and team highs in doubles (7), triples (7) and homers (4). He was second on the team in hits (42), RBIs (31) and stolen bases (13). He also starred on the mound going 9-0, with an 0.54 earned run average. In 52 innings, he allowed just four runs on 18 hits with 16 walks and 80 strikeouts. He was 5 for 9 with two triples, seven runs batted in during the Hornets’ State tourney run. His hits also included a game-breaking two-run homer in the title game against Conway.
In State tournaments over four seasons, covering 23 1/3 innings, Jackson never gave up a run. Along with the two shutouts in 2016 including the championship win over Conway, he tossed one as a sophomore during Bryant’s 2014 State title run. He also blanked opponents in relief appearances in 2013 and 2015.
This season, Jackson was 9-1 with an 0.40 ERA. In 70 innings, he allowed just four earned runs on 45 hits with 16 walks and 89 strikeouts.
With the three shutout wins in the 2016 State, Jackson and Lee continued Bryant incredible work on the mound in post-season. During their four championship seasons (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016), Hornets pitchers have won 12 games. Ten of them were shutouts.
Both Lee and Jackson have signed to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks next year.
