Demopolis High School Head baseball coach James Moody outshined all others this week as the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) selected Moody as the 4A baseball Coach of the Year.

Moody, who is his tenth year as head coach of the Tigers, says that this award is an attribute to his team, for they deserve all the credit.

“This award is our kid’s award as far as I’m concerned,” Moody said. “It’s recognition for all their hard work this season. And I think that it’s recognition for our schedule and this program.”

This award marks a first for Moody, who in his 10 seasons at DHS has compiled a career record of 175-94 with 10 playoff appearances, eight Area Championships and two Runner-up trophies. This season, the Tigers were named the 4A Runner-up with an impressive 30-11 record.

“This award is a direct result of all of our players,” Moody said. “I’m extremely proud of our success this season and all that we accomplished.”

Moody, however, wasn’t the only Tiger to be acknowledged this season by the ASWA, as both junior pitcher Bart Pettus and junior shortstop Devin Goodwin were both named to the ASWA First Team All-State.

Pettus (9-3) led the Tigers on the mound this season with a 2.47 ERA. In his 73-and-two-thirds innings, Pettus collected 69K’s, while giving up 19 walks and 81 hits, not to mention pitching a three hit shut out in game two of the AHSAA state championship. But it was Pettus’ .423 batting average this season that made him a stand out player.

Pettus led the Tigers at the plate hitting .423 this season with four home runs, 46 RBI’s, 55 hits, 33 singles and 15 doubles.

Goodwin, who split his time this season between his shortstop position and the pitching mound, followed Pettus at the plate with a .353 batting average, collecting 36 RBI’s, 55 hits, 31 singles and 19 doubles.

On the mound, Goodwin (9-2) had a 2.45 ERA in his 65-and-two-thirds innings, collecting 68K’s while giving up 50 hits and 21 walks.

Pettus and Goodwin mark as the second and third DHS players to have earned the All-State award under Moody, as Justin Barnes of the Detroit Tigers organization was nominated during his senior year at DHS.

“It’s taken a long time, but I believe we are finally setting the bar for this program,” Moody said. I’m extremely proud of both of these players as well as G. W. Washington, who received an Honorable Mention award. They’re all great players, apart of a truly great team, and I’m proud to see them get the recognition they deserve.”