Dyer plays in all-star game

By Donnie A. Lucas

Accolades continued to come in for members of the 2019 Albany High School baseball team that advanced to the state tournament last month.

The Texas High School Coaches Association hosted its annual All-Star game last Saturday at Dell Diamond in Round Rock. 

Albany senior Joshua Dyer played for the Class 2A-4A North All-Stars, which ended up losing 6-2 to the South squad.

Dyer played third base in the game, going one for two at the plate and scoring one run.

“Josh had a good game,” coach David Fairchild said. “It was a great way for him to end his high school career.”

Dyer was nominated for the honor by Fairchild, with his statistics for the season submitted to the committee for consideration.

“It is a really big deal to make the All-Star team,” the coach said. “In my 25 years of coaching I have only had three players named.”

Fairchild said that players picked for the All-Stars are also automatically named to the All-State team selected by THSBCA. Dyer was awarded a first team pick at third base for Class 2A.

Albany junior Ben West was also recognized with a third team selection as a pitcher for Class 2A.

The Lions ended the season at the state semi-final playoff game, losing 4-1 to eventual state champions Big Sandy. The Lions racked up a 23-8 season record, making it to the state tournament for the second time in the last three seasons.

“It was an unbelievable season for the team,” Fairchild said. “There has been a lot of recognition for the kids, and they deserve it. They represented themselves and Albany very well this year.”

The coach said that team earned “a lot of respect” from other teams and coaches, especially in light of losing just three seniors off this year’s squad.