MADISON- The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company and Perfect Game have announced its annual Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American and All-Region Teams to recognize the top senior baseball players in America. The elite listings include 14 from the four area teams of Madison including two First-Team selections of Slate Alford and Max Soliz of Bob Jones.

“I’m honored for sure and it’s nice to know I see myself as one of the top guys in the Southeast,” said Alford. “The selection lets you know all of your hard work has paid off.”

Alford (6-2, 215, 3B) has signed with Mississippi State and has been approached by numerous professional scouts who have indicated they like what they see in the senior third baseman. The Class 7A Patriots currently possess an 18-10 record and a No. 4 state ranking. The Patriots just recently competed in the Gulf Coast Classic where they were 5-1 and finished runner-up and were 9-3 during the spring break.

Alford is batting .519, with 13 doubles, nine homers and 32 RBIs. With a month to go in the regular season, Alford is within striking distance of the team season homerun record of 13 homers set by former Bob Jones All-Star Dylan Ray who set the mark when he was a sophomore.

Soliz (6-5, 225, C) is batting .408, with 31 hits, six homers and 35 RBIs. He, too, has had numerous professional scouts contact him through Zoom Calls. He has signed to play at Arkansas. He loves playing the position behind the plate as he feels he’s always leading the team with energy.

“I’m happy about my honor of being selected by Perfect Game as the selection shows all of the hard work and dedication I’ve put forth for several years has paid off,” said Soliz. “Our head Coach (Jared) Smith called me and told me the exciting news and my father and I celebrated by going directly to the batting cages for a little batting practice.”

Of the First-Team Southeast selections, eight were from the state of Alabama.

The Rawlings-Perfect Game All American selections included the Southeast Honorable Mention players. Those included the following from the four local schools with their committed schools and summer teams:

Thomas Ballard (6-2, 190, RHP)- Bob Jones, UAB/VBA 17U Black; John August Busch (6-0, 180, RHP)- James Clemens, N/A-East Coast Sox; Connor Cantrell (6-0, 195, 3B)- James Clemens, N/A-Viper Baseball Academy; A. J. Causey (RHP)- Sparkman, Jacksonville State/Viper Baseball Academy; Brycen Hammonds (5-8, 170, OF)- Bob Jones, N/A-N/A; Caiden Johnson (LHP)- Sparkman, N/A-Rise Up; Ethan Kohler (6-2, 180, RHP)- James Clemens, N/A-N/A; Mike Pryor (1B)- Sparkman, Calhoun/Rise Up; Avery Seaton (OF)- Madison Academy, Alabama A&M/Vipers Baseball Academy; Garrett Telaga (RHP)- Sparkman, Jacksonville State/Viper Baseball Academy; Kai Watson (SS)- Madison Academy, N/A-Viper Baseball Academy; Ryan West (5-8, 160, SS)- Bob Jones, Coastal Alabama/North Alabama Tribe.