The postseason honors continue to roll in for Gus Durst and Kirk Pierce.
The duo, who previously were named to the all-state coaches’ first team, received a similar honor Tuesday when they were selected to the first team of the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association all-state team.
Durst and Pierce are the first set of Houston teammates to be named all-state in the same season. Teammate Justin Stringer was selected to the coaches’ team as well last week.
Durst, a senior shortstop and pitcher, was the backbone for a Tiger team that won the first sectional, quarterfinal and semifinal games in program history. He led Houston in every major offensive and pitching category.
Durst had a record-setting season offensively with team records of 16 doubles and 55 RBIs. Both are among the top 10 all-time in state history. Durst also batted a team-best .483 with an .853 slugging percentage.
As Houston’s staff ace, Durst was on the mound for Houston’s district final, quarterfinal and semifinal victories. He went 8-3 with a 2.00 ERA and 60 strikeouts in 63 inning.
Durst threw complete games in five of his eight starts.
A thumb injury forced Pierce to switch positions early in the season and slowed his bat. But he didn’t stay down.
Anchoring the lineup as the team’s clean-up hitter, Pierce batted .442 while ranking second behind Durst with nine doubles, four home runs and 34 RBIs.
Pierce, who has started every game since his freshman season, was at his best in the playoffs. He batted .500 with five doubles, eight runs and 14 RBIs.