For the second year in a row, Belle High School (BHS) baseball senior Hank Stratman can add All-State catcher to impressive list of accomplishments after the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association (MHSBCA) released their All-State teams last Monday afternoon for all six classes.

Posting a team-high batting average of .480, Stratman also led the Tigers with a .556 on-base percentage (OBP), 1.302 OPS (on-base plus slugging), and a .747 slugging percentage.

Also at the plate, the East Central College (ECC) bound Stratman also recorded a team-leading 36 hits, 13 doubles, 22 runs batted in (RBI), five hit-by-pitches (HBP) and 24 stolen bases.

He was also second on the team with 20 singles, two triples and 24 runs scored.

As a pitcher, Stratman also recorded a team-high 57 strikeouts while pitching 41 and two-thirds innings good for second on the team behind Garrett Gehlert’s 51 innings pitched.

Of his team-leading 36 hits, Stratman recorded three singles against St. Francis Borgia, Jefferson City and Eugene.

Going for two singles in six games, Stratman achieved this in contests against Borgia, Fatima, Cuba, Crocker, Jefferson City and Eugene.

He posted a season-high two doubles against Steelville helping the Tigers win an outright GVC titles while also touching three bases for a triple against Bourbon and Cuba.

Tied with four other players with one home run on the season, Stratman hit his lone round-tripper of the season against Capital City’s Cavaliers.

Posting just over half of his team-leading 22 RBIs in four games, Stratman drove in three runs in games against Hermann, Capital City, Jefferson City and St. James.

Among his 24 runs scores, Stratman crossed the plate three times in action against Cuba, St. James and Jefferson City.

Drawing two walks against Fatima, Stratman was hit by a pitch in five games against St. James, Jefferson City, Steelville, Vienna and St. Elizabeth.

Stratman also stole a season-best four stolen bases against Jefferson City’s Jays.

As a pitcher, Stratman posted a season-high 11 strikeouts against Cuba in GVC play while also throwing an eight-inning complete game shutout of MSHSAA Class 1 runner-up St. Elizabeth while striking out nine Hornet batters.

Joining Stratman among the list of MHSBCA Class 3 All-State First Team catchers is Mid-Buchanan junior Krayton House, Scott City senior Leyton Hanback and Centralia sophomore Cooper Gehring.

MHSBCA Class 3 All-State Second Team selections at catcher include Blair Oaks junior Carson Verslues, Ash Grove senior Kyler Reece and Carrollton junior Max Braun.

Earning Honorable Mention status on the MHSBCA Class 3 All-State team at catcher were Licking sophomore Jason Ingram and Duchesne sophomore Ben Winterer.

Between Classes 1-5, Belle had a total of 20 players from opponents on their schedule earn MHSBCA All-State honors.

In Class 1, Belle posted a 1-0 victory over St. Elizabeth’s Hornets who went on to place second in Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Class 1 Baseball.

Hornets earning All-State honors included senior Eli Kemna as a first-team pitcher, junior Kyson Green as a first-team infielder, senior Sam Luetkemeyer as a first-team outfielder, senior Carter Reinkemeyer as a first-team DH/Utility selection, senior Brayden Kempker as a second-team catcher and sophomore Cooper Kemna as a second-team outfielder.

Three Eugene Eagles also earned MHSBCA All-State recognition after Belle handed them a 7-4 loss back on May 1.

That trio consisted of senior Jeffrey Schulte as a first-team infielder, senior Chase Richard as a second-team pitcher and sophomore Jacob Bittle as a second-team outfielder.

Crocker senior Tripp Caldwell was also a Class 2 Second-Team DH/Utility selection.

Belle dropped a 5-4 decision against Crocker back on April 23.

Players on opposing teams in Class 3 earning All-State nods after playing against Belle included Fatima senior Blake Kliethermes as a first-team DH/Utility selection and Cuba junior Braden Gipson as a second-team DH/Utility pick.

Between Sullivan and Owensville  in Class 4, they had six players earn All-State honors after playing against Belle’s Tigers.

Dutchmen earning MHSBCA All-State honors included sophomore Tucker Sassmann as a first-team infielder, senior Chase Weirich as an honorable mention pitcher and senior Chris Allen as an honorable mention catcher.

Sullivan players earning All-State nods from the MHSBCA after defeating Belle 10-4 back on March 23 included senior Chase Blue as a first-team infielder, junior Landen Doza as a second-team infielder and Mitchell Garner as a second-team DH/Utility selection.

Jefferson City infielder Ian Schwartz also earned MHSBCA Class 5 All-State Honorable Mention status after the Jays fell 12-8 against Belle back on April 30.