Gage Posey is recognized as one of the best athletes to ever wear the blue and white uniforms of Brookhaven Academy. His list of accomplishments in football, basketball and baseball are enough to fill a file cabinet and a wheelbarrow.

     Posey’s latest achievement is the title of Mr. Baseball and Most Valuable Player on The Daily Leader’s 2013 All-Lincoln County Team. He received a similar honor in football, after quarterbacking the Cougars to a MAIS Class AA state championship last November.

     Overall, baseball was a popular item in Lincoln County this spring. The Loyd Star Hornets marched to the MHSAA Class 2A South State championship series against Taylorsville and several players are receiving special honors on the DL’s Dream Team. Pitchers Caleb Yarborough and Cori Crowe are Co-Defensive Players of the Year. Catcher Logan Smith and  centerfielder Seth Farmer are Co-Offensive Players of the Year.

     Also on the pitching staff is Seth Porter of Brookhaven. Other catchers are Landon Nettles of Brookhaven Academy and Zach Smith of Brookhaven.

     The infielders are Houston Case and Landon McCullough of Brookhaven, Tyler Moak of West Lincoln, Brock Roberts of Bogue Chitto and Matthew Evans of Brookhaven Academy.

     Farmer is joined in the outfield by Posey and Steven Williams of Brookhaven Academy, Jared Case of West Lincoln, and Reed Jones of Brookhaven.

     All-purpose players are Andrew Culver of Brookhaven and Branden Canny of Loyd Star. Utility players are Braxton Foster of Enterprise and Tanner Parvin of Brookhaven Academy.

     The Dream Team was selected by the DL’s sports staff, with input provided by high school and college coaches.

     Gage Posey (6-3, 185), a strong southpaw, was mainly used as a relief pitcher this season. He sparkled in center field and at the plate, batting .420. He hit 5 homers and accounted for 24 RBIs, helping lead the Cougars to the South State AA semifinals.

     An MAIS All-Star in football, basketball and baseball, Posey was chosen as the recipient of the Don Souder Award, recognizing the top male scholar/athlete in the MAIS. He has signed a baseball scholarship with Hinds Community College and plans to pursue a career in medicine.

     “Gage is an outstanding athlete and a great leader,” said BA coach Casey Edwards. “He’s also an intense competitor who hates to lose.”

     Posey uses a 33-inch Rawlings bat, which weighs 30 ounces. He wears jersey No.15 in honor of former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. His parents are Kevin and Rhonda Posey.

     Posey likes to follow the Atlanta Braves and outfielder Justin Upton.

     Seth Farmer (5-9, 155),  a junior, dazzled at the plate and in the field for Loyd Star. His speed helped him compile a .929 fielding percentage. He batted .416, stole 22 bases and drive in 19 runs.

     “I try to make the pitcher pitch to me,” explained Farmer. “I wait for the pitch to hit.”

     Farmer said he liked the Texas Rangers and centerfielder Andrew McCutchins of the Pittsburgh Pirates. “He can hit the ball and he’s fast, too.”

     His favorite college team is LSU. He also plays quarterback for the Hornets.

     Loyd Star coach Jared Britt shared his opinion on Farmer’s baseball skills. “I tell a lot of people that Seth might be one of, if not the best centerfielder in the state. He gets the jump on the ball. At the plate, he can hit one out or lay down a bunt.”

     Logan Smith (5-11, 210),   a senior , directed Loyd Star from behind the plate. Britt referred to him as his “second coach on the field.”

     Smith was able to spray the ball to all fields. A clutch hitter, he batted .353 and drove in 36 runs.

     “Logan is not afraid to get dirty,” said Coach Britt. “He will take any pitch off his body.”

     At the plate, Smith swings an Easton S-I bat. It weights 30 ounces and measures 33 inches.

     A linebacker in football, Smith said he likes Southern Miss. He wears jersey No. 22 in baseball.

      Cori Crowe (5-11, 165),  a senior right-hander, was instrumental in Loyd Star’s late-season surge through the playoffs. He compiled a 7-2 record and a 2.20 ERA. He struck out 94 batters and walked 16.

     His favorite pitch is the curveball. He also throws a slider, changeup and fastball. He wears jersey No. 4.

     Crowe said he enjoys following the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He also played football and soccer at Loyd Star.

     “Our team made the plays when we needed them at the end of the season,” said Crowe.  He said he follows the Angels in the Major League and his favorite player is Alex Rodriquez.

     “Cori is a workhorse and he carried a load for us,” said Coach Britt. “He was willing to come in and get the job done.”

     At the plate, Crowe batted .337 and drove in 31 runs.

      Caleb Yarborough (5-10, 140),  a sophomore southpaw, was a pleasant surprise for the Hornets this season. He fashioned a 6-1 record and a 1.82 ERA. He struck out 82 batters and walked 11.

     Yarborough recorded 18 strikeouts in an 11-inning, playoff win over Richton in what he described as “my best performance.” He throws a 2-seam fastball, a changeup, a knuckle curve and is working on a slider.

     In his free time, Yarborough said he follows the Atlanta Braves and catcher Brian McCann. “I’ve watched him since he was with the Mississippi Braves.”

     He said the Hornets got back on track after a 3-game losing streak early in the season.  “My teammates made some really good plays on defense. They’ve got my back.

     “I’ve been pitching all of my life,” he continued. “Coach Britt would fix things if there was something wrong with my delivery.”

     Farmer and Yarborough will be back next year to anchor a rebuilding Loyd Star squad.