Cd'A's Austin named Gatorade Idaho baseball player of the year

Coeur d'Alene High senior Devon Austin has been selected the 2010 Gatorade Idaho Baseball Player of the Year.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound catcher led the Vikings (22-10) to the state 5A semifinals this season, batting .433 with four home runs, 48 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. A two-time Inland Empire League MVP, Austin tied his own single-season record for RBIs this season.

"His ability to perform under pressure is spectacular," Coeur d'Alene coach Nick Rook said. "His teammates consistently look to him for leadership in crucial situations. His intangables as a player are off the charts. In my experience, I would rate Devon's overall skills in the top five percent of the players who I have coached both at the high school and collegiate levels."

Austin has signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at New Mexico State next year.