NATCHEZ — Few would probably argue against Jordan Dossett being Trinity Episcopal’s MVP in baseball this season.

Dossett was the ace of the pitching staff with a 1.80 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 42 2/3 innings pitched. He also batted .493 with a .589 on-base percentage while playing third base.

These gaudy numbers earned him the MAIS District 6-A MVP and a trip to the Class A All-Star game. It also made him an easy choice for The Natchez Democrat’s All-Metro Player of the Year in baseball.

“It’s really special, being given this award. Making the All-Star game was one of my goals and this was too,” Dossett said.

“I feel like this is a big accomplishment for me, and I want to thank Coach Mitch (Ashmore) for helping me all year.”

And not only was Dossett selected to the Class A All-Star Game, he was voted the game’s Most Valuable Player in the South’s 7-3 victory on Saturday.

Dossett had an RBI single and also pitched a scoreless inning in the game.

“That is a big achievement of mine,” Dossett said. “It was one of my goals. It’s special to be selected to the game, and to be named the MVP is a great honor.”

Although Dossett has always been Trinity’s go-to guy in the rotation, assistant coach David King said the supporting cast he had this year allowed him to excel even more.

“Coach (Matt) Mason did a good job bringing him along in his career, and this year Coach Ashmore had the luxury of having a couple of good pitchers around him,” King said.

“This allowed us to be able to save him more than we did last year. He was really the only sure starter we had last year, and him being able to rest more contributed to his strong season.”

And Dossett said he noticed the difference as well.

“Last year I had to pitch more than a couple of complete games. Givonni Dent and Jake Winston did a great job being our No. 2 and 3 starters, and having them allowed me to rest more.”

In the batter’s box, King said Dossett’s development as a hitter took a little longer to be completed than his development as a pitcher.

“He struggled as a hitter until this year, when it really all came together for him. He had a really good year at the plate,” King said.

Dossett credited Ashmore and his summer tournament coach for helping him improve his hitting.

“I got more aggressive this year and started taking more pitches. Coach Robert Young at Brookhaven was my tournament team coach last summer, and he helped me out a lot. Coach Ashmore was also really helpful in teaching me to be more selective at the plate,” Dossett said.

Dossett was also a great player to coach, King said.

“He did anything the coaches asked him to. That’s what I remember about him the most. He batted anywhere we asked him to, and when we needed him to take the ball, he did,” King said.

“He’s a very good baseball player that had one of those outstanding years you want a senior to have. He and my son Kent have been friends since tee ball, so Jordan’s like a son to me. He’s one of my favorite kids I’ve ever coached.”

Dossett said he was happy he got to help his team both on the mound and with the bat.

“That’s baseball, being able to control the game. One person can make a big difference, either by getting a walk-off hit or shutting down the opposing batters,” Dossett said.

“I’m glad I was able to do both, because I know the team needed me. I knew I had to step up and lead by example.”