Bruck, Porter named third team All-State by Iowa’s baseball coaches

 STATE (Aug. 13) -- Seniors Connor Bruck of Harlan Community and Sam Porter of AHSTW were recognized earlier this week as third team All-State selections by the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association.
 Bruck was named a third team pitcher in Class 3A while Porter was cited as the third team first baseman in Class 2A.
 In addition, Bruck was one of 64 seniors from across the state selected for the 2020 IHSBCA All-Star Series. He was placed on the Small Schools West squad as an infielder; however, the All-Star Series was not played this year due to COVID-19.
 Bruck capped an outstanding five-year varsity career this summer, batting a robust .561 in 57 at-bats, playing errorless defense at shortstop and going 4-2 on the mound with a 1.70 earned run average. Pitching losses against Lewis Central and Dallas Center-Grimes (in this year’s 3A substate final) were Bruck’s only career defeats. His final record was a sensational 24-2.
 Batting leadoff for most of the season, Bruck led the Cyclones with 32 hits, seven doubles, 21 stolen bases, 26 runs scored, 13 walks and a .648 on-base percentage while striking out just two times. He added 15 RBI in 18 games as HCHS went 14-4 overall.
 When he wasn’t playing excellent defense, Bruck made seven starts on the mound. In 33 innings, he allowed just 20 hits, walked 12, struck out 45 and also hit 11 batters.
 Porter, a pitcher and first baseman for AHSTW, went 1-1 with two saves on the mound and a 4.63 ERA, striking out 26 batters in 19.7 innings. He allowed 17 hits, walked 13 batters and hit seven.
 At the plate, Porter batted a team-high .400 (10-for-25) and also led the offense with four doubles, nine RBI and a .485 on-base percentage. The team played just 10 games and finished 5-5 overall.
 Porter has signed a letter of intent to play collegiate baseball at Simpson College in Indianola. Bruck, meanwhile, is considering a walk-on opportunity at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville.