Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Jake Szalat of St. Edmond makes a play during the regular season.

When it came to postseason honors, the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association identified St. Edmond senior Jake Szalat as the best of both worlds.

Szalat was named a second team Class 1A all-state pitcher by the organization on Tuesday. The award flanks his recent IHSBCA second team academic all-state honor.

“I would have to say that I was shocked more than anything, but definitely very proud,” Szalat said of the athletic achievement. “Now that my baseball career is officially over, it’s nice to have this to look back on and say that it was all worth it.

“Making the academic all-state team is also a great honor, and it goes to show that you can and should focus on both academics and athletics in high school. They’re both great honors, and I know this sounds cliche, but I seriously wouldn’t have been able to achieve them without the guidance from my coaches and the help from all of my past teammates.”

Szalat went 7-1 with a 1.04 earned run average for the Gaels this summer. In 47• innings pitched, Szalat allowed only 35 hits and seven earned runs. He struck out 58, walking just 12.

Algona’s Trevor Bormann (.457 batting average, 6 home runs, 28 RBI, 38 runs scored, 34 stolen bases) was a first team all-state selection in 3A.

Kyler Steinborn of South Central Calhoun (.361 average; 7-1 pitching record, 0.78 ERA, 100 strikeouts) made the second team in 2A. Pocahontas Area’s Jace Davidson (.446 BA, 33 RBI, 13 SB, 8-1 record, 0.56 ERA, 100 K) was a second teamer as well.

Humboldt’s Isaac Thurm was a first team academic all-state choice. Thurm hit .376 with 28 RBI and 31 walks for the Wildcats.