Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Prescott's Al Johnston Second Curley Wolf Named To All-State

For the second straight year, Prescott will have a baseball player participating in the All- Star games.

Senior Curley Wolf Al Johnston has been tabbed to be in the Arkansas High School Baseball Coaches Association event.

Last season, Ross Cowling broke into the All-Star lineup with his nine wins on the mound for the Wolves and was named Most Valuable Player for his team because of his performance.

"This is indeed a great honor for Johnson," Coach Steve Crow said, "because only the best seniors from around the state are chosen."

Players will report to Fayetteville Friday, May 22. After checking in, a practice will be held from 10 a.m. until noon. At 4:30 p.m., a banquet will be held for the players and coaches.

Game one for the class B, A and AA All-Stars will be played at 7:30 p.m. This, Crow said, will be a full nine-inning game.

Games two and three of the weekend will begin Saturday, May 23, at 11 a.m. Crow said this will be a seven inning doubleheader.

The games are sponsored by the AHSBCA and will be played at Charlie Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. George Cole Field is the home of the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, Crow pointed out.

Booneville's Dale Mann will be the coach of the West All-Star team, which Johnston is playing on. The assistant coaches have not been named at this time.

"Johnston is to be commended for this accomplishment," Crow said. "It will be a great way for him to end his high school career in front of his family, friend, college coaches and professional scouts.

"It is a complement to our baseball program here at PHS to have two players in the past two years be selected to play game. Not many schools around the state have been so fortunate. It's also an honor for Johnston's teammates for him to get to play, because without the good seasons and performances they had, it might not have been possible."

The AAA and AAAA All Star games will be held Saturday, May 23, at 5 p.m. These games will be seven inning twin bills. On Sunday, May 24, at 1 p.m., there will be a nine inning game.

In discussing the seasons had by other members of the team, Crow said Al Formby, the primary starting pitcher for the Wolves, posted a 10-3 record on the hill, while spending time in the outfield as well.

The 10 wins are a new school record. In 74 innings, Formby gave up 43 runs on 67 hits and fanned 109. Of the 337 batters faces, he walked a scant 30.

With bat in hand, Formby was also a force to be reckoned with. He went 19 of 60 for a .317 average, belted two doubles and one homer. He drove in 16 while walking once and fanning six times.

Heath Ingram, a senior infielder, wielded heavy wood throughout the season. He connected 30 of 59 times at bat for a .508 average, and boasted an on-base percentage of 65 percent. He scored 25 runs, smacking four doubles, driving nine in, walking 13 times and striking out eight times.

Johnston, playing centerfield, bad a .455 batting average with 25 of 55 at the plate and an on base percentage of 64 percent. He scored 34 runs, walloped six doubles, two triples and five round-trippers while driving in 27. Johnston walked 14 times and struck out nine times.

Ben Jones, shortstop and pitcher, had 20 hits in 59 at bats for a .339 average. His on base average was 53 percent, with 26 runs scored. Jones connected for a pair of doubles and led the team with six home runs. He drove in 21 and walked 17 times.

On the hill, Jones pitched 52/3 innings with no record. He faced 34 batters, striking out six, walking seven, giving up six hits and surrendering 10 runs.

The lone junior on the list, Jarrod Yates, played third, pitched and caught. Yates is only the second junior in school history to be named all district. Johnston was first with this honor last season.

Yates had 27 hits in 48 at bats for a .563 average. His on base average was 70 percent. He scored 24 times, smacked four doubles and three homers. Yates went home bruised more than the other players as he was hit by seven pitches during the season.

Still, he drove in 32 while walking 12 times. On the hill, he pitched one inning, facing three batters. While not recording any K's, he also walked no one, gave up no hits or runs.