Mullins named 2nd team All-State

To recognize his efforts during the 2016 season, Homewood's John Marc Mullins was named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association's All-State Baseball Team, making the cut as a utility player on the Class 6A second team.

"It's a credit to him," Homewood head coach Doug Gann said. "What helps him is his ability to pitch. To pitch at the level he did, and the saves, obviously was very instrumental."

Mullins' bat has been a constant on the Patriot baseball team, but a few innings on the mound at the end of the 2015 season planted a seed in the mind of the coaching staff, and he blossomed as a pitcher in 2016.

In 47.2 innings this year, Mullins accumulated a 4-2 record and 2.06 ERA, with four saves and 44 strikeouts. At the plate, he hit for a .324 average, and finished the season with 20 RBIs, 25 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, seven doubles, one triple, and one home run.

His attention to detail is what Gann says allows Mullins to be successful on both sides of the field.

"He's one of the most focused, detail-oriented players I've ever been around. Even as a freshman, he knew the game," Gann said.

Gann called Mullins the type of kid that he is confident is always going to do the right thing, on and off the field.