The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder finished the year with a 14-1 record after winning the first game of the state finals. He struck out 17 that day to wrap up a 2008 pitching line that has three no-hitters, six shutouts, 17 walks, and an earned run average of 1.00. He struck out 187 batters in 84 innings.</p>
The Junior Olympian used his 94-mile-per-hour fastball to set state career records of 54 wins and 683 strikeouts. He set AHSAA single-season marks last year with his 18 wins and 227 strikeouts.</p>
But that's half of the factor the perfect 4.0 student was this season. His hitting prowess allowed him to best a stout field of state talent that included St. Paul's Destin Hood, Jackson's Kent Myer and Shades Valley's Jade Todd.</p>
"He's going to make it big some day," Hokes Bluff coach Mikes Estes said after the state finals. "He's going to keep working hard and I guarantee you he will make it big. We're going to get used to seeing him on some Saturdays and Sundays. Hopefully with the (Atlanta) Braves maybe."</p>
Stovall also hit .500 with seven home runs and 33 RBIs. His 13 doubles put him in elite company. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations' record book, Stovall's 95 career doubles ties Dave Braden (1977-1980) of Oak Forest, Ill. for the national record.</p>
"That's the one of all the records that means the most," Stovall said, who hit 34 career home runs. "I'm a pitcher, but I take a lot of pride in swinging the bat. That doubles record is something the A-Rods and the Derek Jeters never did."</p>
