First baseman Brian Baker (left) was the front line of defense in the infield for the Bulldogs during the season. Baker, a junior, also was handy at the plate, leading the Bulldogs in hitting with a .482 average, in hits with 40, and in RBIs with 30. (Baker City Herald photograph by Kathy Orr).

By the BAKER CITY HERALDand The Associated Press

PORTLAND Three Baker Bulldogs were selected to the 2001 Class 3A all-state baseball teams announced earlier this week.

Pitcher Luke Palmer, first baseman Brian Baker, and shortstop Steve Valentine were selected on the all-state teams.

Palmer, a two-time all-Greater Oregon League first team pick, was selected on the all-state second team.

The Bulldog right-hander, who was selected earlier this month by the Kansas City Royals in the major league draft, was 8-1 with an earned-run average of about one this past season.

He plans to play for Columbia Basin Community College in Pasco, Wash., next season.

Baker, a junior, also was a first team all-GOL pick. He was selected on the all-state third team.

Baker led the Bulldogs in hitting with a .482 average, in hits with 40, and in RBIs with 30.

Valentine, another first team all-GOL pick, received all-state honorable mention.

Valentine hit .387 with 26 RBIs his senior season.

He will represent the Bulldogs this weekend at the annual North-South Class 3A all-star series in Roseburg.

The 2001 Oregon high school baseball all-state teams for 4A, 3A, and 2A/1A were chosen by the states coaches and published in The Oregonian.

Class 4A

Player of the year Jeff Abney, catcher, Lakeridge, sr.

Coach of the year Dave Gasser, Lakeridge.

First Team

Pitchers Aaron ODell, Bend, sr. Mike Aguilar, Franklin, sr. Jeff Jensen, North Salem, sr. Mike Ekstrom, Barlow, sr.

Infielders Bryan Lohrman, South Salem, sr. David Gillis, David Douglas, sr. Trevor Crowe, Westview, jr. Mike Rundle, Bend, sr. Ole Sheldon, Roseburg, sr.

Outfielders Sean Hofferd, Bend, sr. Josh Armstrong, Oregon City, sr. Colin Richards, Lakeridge, sr. Porter Smith, North Eugene, sr.

Catchers Jeff Abney, Lakeridge, sr. Ian Lewellan, Tualatin, sr. J.J. Stolig, Lebanon, sr.

First baseman Tim Brown, Sheldon, sr.

Utility Gavin Wahl-Stephens, Cleveland, sr.

Second Team

Pitchers Mike Allen, Ashland, jr. Brule Speck, West Linn, sr., John Dailey, Jesuit, sr. Justin Ehlers, Century, jr. Scott Nelson, North Eugene, jr.

Infielders Travis Nance, North Eugene, jr. Jerry Gonzalez, Churchill, sr. Kenneth McDaniel, Churchill, sr. Tyson Conroy, Oregon City, jr. Brice Ott, Grant, sr. Gehrig Richins, Lakeridge, sr.

Outfielders Ken Strate, Crater, sr. Derek Jones, Forest Grove, jr. Anthony Isabella, North Salem, sr. Chris Hess, Parkrose, sr.

Catcher Ty Bubalo, Beaverton, jr.

First basemen Mychal Wagner, Bend, sr. Matt Peterson, Westview, sr.

Utility Ryan Bigelow, Bend, sr.

Third Team

Pitchers Nate Fogle, Centennial, jr. Shane Lopez-Johnston, Wilson, sr. Dallas Buck, Newberg, so.

Infielders Jed Lowrie, North Salem, jr. Grant Boustead, Dallas, sr. Kellen Walker, Roseburg, jr. Michael Volker, Madison, sr.

Outfielders Phil Oullette, North Medford, sr. Travis Breidenbach, Franklin, sr. Isaac Daniels, Reynolds, jr. Mason Brunette, Southridge, sr.

Catchers Nik Mason, Sandy, sr. Daron Roberts, Westview, sr.

First baseman Craig Fredericks, Lakeridge, sr.

Utility Brady Howe, Grants Pass, sr.

Honorable Mention

Pitchers Matt Skundrick, South Medford, sr. Derek Peterson, Crater, jr. Mike Proulx, Sheldon, so. Shannon Wirth, Reynolds, jr. Brandon Rupp, Southridge, sr. Shane Richins, Lakeridge, so. Corey Merritt, Mountain View, sr.

Infielders Jason Krohn, Gresham, sr. Ryan Thorson, Sandy, jr. David Peterson, Aloha, sr. Jared Zabransky, Hermiston, jr. Cole Clasen, Lake Oswego, sr. Cole Gillespie, West Linn, Jr. Sean Mascarenhas, Lakeridge, jr. Brett Glover, McMinnville, jr. Titus Weston, Ashland, jr.

Outfielders Sean Ohlrich, Mountain View, jr. Nic Chapin, Oregon City, sr. Josh Ort, Silverton, jr. Tom Paterson, McMinnville, sr. Julid McDaniel, Forest Grove, jr. David Powell, Roseburg, jr. Freddie Caron, Roosevelt, sr. Thomas Gulledge, Corvallis, sr. Mike Kellmer, David Douglas, sr. Brian Vogel, Sheldon, sr. Boo Christianson, North Bend, jr.

Catchers Ryan Garrett, Eagle Point, sr. Tye Tinner, Grant, jr. John Hollen, North Salem, sr. Larry Espinoza, North Bend, sr.

First Basemen Marcos Quintero, Canby, so. Keith Downing, Forest Grove, sr. Bill Rowe, Ashland, jr. Kevin Heim, South Albany, sr. Chad Boom, Gresham, sr. Troy Leland, Jesuit, sr.

Class 3A

Players of the Year Aaron Mathews, pitcher, Grant Union, sr.; George Gibson, outfielder, Grant Union, sr.

Coach of the Year Art Thunell, Grant Union.

First Team

Pitchers Aaron Mathews, Grant Union, sr. John Best, Philomath, sr. Ken Brock, The Dalles, sr.

Infielders Jeff Budnick, Seaside, sr. Ryan Oberg, Philomath, sr. Travis Dunlap, Phoenix, sr. Brian Purnell, Grant Union, sr.

Outfielders George Gibson, Grant Union, sr. Ken Leming, Stayton, sr. Tanner Abel, La Grande, sr. Jordan Denney, The Dalles, sr.

Catchers Blair Wilkins, The Dalles, jr. Eric Yost, Elmira, sr.

First baseman Troy Beard, Hidden Valley, sr.

Utility Joey Wangerin, Siuslaw, sr.

Second Team

Pitchers Luke Palmer, Baker, sr. Scott Hyde, Hidden Valley, sr. Brad Bailey, Henley, sr.

Infielders Kevin Ford, The Dalles, sr. D.J. Kooken, Douglas, sr. Josh Riley, Sutherlin, sr. John Jefferson, Glide, sr.

Outfielders Justin Kramer, Ontario, sr. Jeremy Kelley, Rainier, sr. Jon Boggs, Elmira, sr. Jacoby Ellsbury, Madras, jr.

Catchers Joel Shoop, Douglas, sr. Scott Berry, Grant Union, jr.

First baseman Chad Bellis, Sutherlin, sr.

Utility Ronnie Kelly, Astoria, sr.

Third Team

Pitchers Jason Gaddis, Stayton, jr. A.J. Davidson, Siuslaw, sr. Josh Ness, Astoria, sr.

Infielders Kai Terrian, Cascade, sr. Will Brindza, Sherwood, jr. Ty Brack, North Marion, jr. Brian Kinsman, Henley, jr.

Outfielders Nick Mason, Hidden Valley, sr. Kirk Cunningham, Henley, jr. Casey Allen, Newport, sr. Elliott Vinsant, Scappoose, jr.

Catchers Roger Benefiel, Stayton, sr. David Fox, Marist, jr.

First baseman Brian Baker, Baker, jr.

Utility Rob Alder, Hidden Valley, sr.

Honorable Mention

Pitchers Zeke Clayton, South Umpqua, jr. Josh Morrill, Scappoose, sr. Marshall Looney, La Pine, jr. Tyler Brown, Rainier, jr. Jason Kosydar, Toledo, sr. James Compo, La Salle, jr.

Infielders Trevor Brooks, Scappoose, sr. Chris Kunda, Philomath, jr. Justin Coffman, Rainier, jr. Steve Valentine, Baker, sr. Jacob Hunt, Siuslaw, sr. Brian Stock, Henley, sr. Chad Likens, Elmira, sr. Kyle Bachmeier, Douglas, jr. Ross Hayes, Sisters, sr. Greg Kelm, Ontario, so. Andy Van Sickle, La Grande, sr. Marcus Butler, Toledo, sr. Greg Shutts, Yamhill-Carlton, sr. Rodrigo Esparsa, Stayton, sr. Andy Pucher, La Salle, sr.

Outfielders Kyle Kaufman, Phoenix, sr. Nate Pfund, Seaside, sr. Brian Eberhardt, Sherwood, sr. Andrew Beard, Newport, sr. Kyle Boggs, Philomath, so. Josh Thornton, Reedsport, so. Grant Burgerson, Rainier, jr. Kyle Blank, Mazama, so.

Catchers Cal Schmidt, Hidden Valley, jr. Nathan Pinkstaff, Astoria, jr. Ivan Munoz, Newport, so. Pat Burke, Sisters, so.

First basemen Joey Greenberg, Astoria, sr. Josh Dotson, Siuslaw, so. John Faber, Seaside, sr. Cody McAlpin, Philomath, sr.

Utility Adam Birdsell, McLoughlin, sr. Sky Manon, Glide, jr. Brandon Ferguson, The Dalles, sr. Casey Kinsland, Philomath, sr.

Class 2A/1A

Players of the year Eric Beasley, catcher, Lost River, sr.; Kameron Causey, infielder, Glendale, sr.

Coach of the year Steve Prock, Glendale.

First Team

Pitchers Zach VandeGriend, Salem Academy, sr. Dan Gates, Warrenton, jr. Bryan Edwards, Cascade Christian, sr.

Infielders Todd Shaffer, Condon, jr. Mike McCabe, Heppner, jr. Travis LuLay, Regis, jr. Kameron Causey, Glendale, sr.

Outfielders Branson Imlah, Amity, sr. Cheyenne Langston, Sherman County, sr. Brian Lange, Regis, sr. Nolan Kellow, Nestucca, sr.

Catchers Eric Beasley, Lost River, sr. Nolan Roberts, Cascade Christian, sr.

First baseman Aaron Johnson, Santiam Christian, sr.

Utility Joel Klein, Monroe, sr.

Designated hitter John Evans, Knappa, jr.

Second Team

Pitchers James Turner, Lost River, sr. Jared Adams, Culver, jr. Jason Dady, Glendale, jr.

Infielders Stefon Matleny, Heppner, jr. Zack Holland, Harrisburg, sr. Eric Rodgers, Sheridan, jr.

Outfielders Seth Christensen, Pilot Rock, sr. Derek Deskins, Mapleton, sr. Adam Neahring, Warrenton, jr. Kenny Converse, North Douglas, sr.

Catchers Casey Evans, Wahtonka, jr. Josh Branson, Sheridan, jr.

First baseman Austin Highberger, Regis, so.

Utility Pat Donner, Glendale, sr.

Designated hitter Jarett Wikoff, Lowell, sr.

Third Team

Pitchers Jarron Thebiay, Warrenton, sr. Travis Lange, Salem Academy, sr. Casey Norris, Bonanza, sr.

Infielders Mike Bielmeier, Regis, jr. Nick Hines, Riddle, sr. Chad Harvey, Cascade Christian, sr. Tyler McGrorty, Warrenton, so.

Outfielders Ray Hyder, Jefferson, sr. Craig Norton, Colton, jr. Andy Johnson, Kennedy, jr. Sam Defalio, Sheridan, sr.

Catchers Ryan Owens, Glendale, jr. Nick Cudaback, Nyssa, sr.

First baseman Blade McCormick, Cascade Christian, sr.

Utility John Macy, Culver, sr.

Designated hitter Jeremy Taylor, Glendale, jr.

Honorable Mention

Pitchers Justin Harrison, Nestucca, jr. Andrew Renyer, Umpqua Valley Christian, jr.

Infielders Brad Adams, Heppner, so. Rick Simington, Mapleton, sr.

Outfielders Eric Velador, Wahtonka, jr. Rodger Manley, Nyssa, jr. David Nyhoff, Portland Christian, sr. Andy Horn, Warrenton, jr. John Gross, Portland Lutheran, sr.

Catchers Jeremy Maly, Corbett, sr. Kyle Johnson, Warrenton, jr.

First basemen Mike Dame, Harrisburg, sr. Todd Grassman, Yoncalla, jr.

Utility Brad Hadley, Bonanza, sr. Shuichi Masuda, Portland Lutheran, so.