NATCHEZ — Last week Trinity Episcopal baseball standout Jake Winston received a phone call from the sports department at the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

Winston said they asked him some simple questions about his height and weight and after the conversation was over Winston went about his day and did not think much about the conversation.

Tuesday morning Winston found out what the conversation was about when he learned that he was named as one of 12 Mississippi baseball players on the Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen.

“(I found out) yesterday morning,” Winston said. “It was a big surprise for the whole family. I was speechless and had no idea it was going to happen. It is a great honor.”

Winston said his dad, Tam Winston, told him that he was proud of his accomplishment, but his mother, Beverly Winston, was the most excited.

“She couldn’t stop smiling,” he said.

Winston said being named a member of the Dandy Dozen was a thrill for him too.

“Well growing up you see the Dandy Dozen and know it’s the best players in Mississippi,” he said. “And it’s a goal of yours to be on it when you get older. Now here this is, and it’s incredible.”

Winston batted .446 last season with four home runs and also went 9-1 on the mound with 102 strikeouts and a 1.18 ERA. Winston said he thinks his ability to perform at the plate and as a pitcher helped him make the list.

“Being a dual-type guy is important,” he said. “That’s what college coaches like.”

Winston said despite being an excellent high school pitcher, he also enjoys being a position player.

“Playing the field and hitting is the most fun,” he said.

Winston signed with Southern Mississippi to play baseball, and he said that along with being a Dandy Dozen player might draw some attention to him this season, but he said he does not feel any additional pressure.

“I just want to go out there and have fun,” he said. “There’s no pressure, I figure this means (people will) know more about me and want to come and watch me play.”

Winston said his main goal this season is to continue to get better and also step up and become a senior-leader for the Saints.

“I want the guys to have fun this year,” he said. “This year, the team, we get along, and we want to try to have as much fun as we can.”

Winston said he is also glad that his selection will bring more recognition to Trinity baseball.

“As far as I remember, I am the first Dandy Dozen (baseball player) to be named,” he said. “I’m glad to represent the school. It’s a great honor, and I hope I can represent the school in the best way.”

Winston will look to lead Trinity to another state title this season after the Saints took home the MAIS-A State Championship last season.

Hunter Devall

Centreville Academy’s Hunter Devall had heard of the Dandy Dozen, but he did not know much about it when he found out he was named to this season’s list.

“I was excited,” he said. “It’s a great honor to be in that category of 12 guys throughout Mississippi.”

Devall said his parents, Jana and Dennis Devall, were very excited about his achievement as well. He said his mother woke him at 6 a.m. Tuesday to tell him the news.

Devall is also a player that can play multiple positions on the diamond as well as perform at the plate. But, he said he thought his ability to pitch was what got him on the list.

Devall finished last season with a 0.76 ERA, an 11-1 record and struck out 136 batters. He also batted .354 with six doubles, two triples and two homers. Devall said he hopes to top those numbers this season.

“My personal goals are I guess I really want to bat at least .400 this year and improve my outfield game,” Devall said. “I also had (136 strikeouts) last year, and I set the goal this year to have 150. I would also like to have a sub-.50 ERA.”

Devall also has lofty goals for his Tigers’ team that won the state title last season.

“Our team goals are definitely the state championship,” he said.

He also said he wants the Tigers to go undefeated this season.

Devall signed to play baseball at LSU, and he said the fact that he is already signed has taken a lot of pressure off his shoulders and being named a Dandy Dozen will not add any pressure this season.

“Really I think most of the pressure was last year to prove to everybody that we can (win a title),” he said. “I had a lot of pressure on me last year. A lot of people were doubting me with the LSU (commitment), and I got over that.”

Devall said signing to play college ball at LSU was a little more of a thrill for him than being named to the Dandy Dozen, but Dandy Dozen is running a close second.

“That’s really a tough call, but it’s LSU,” he said. “I’m still pumped about LSU, but this is a great honor.”