Kyle Rizzi might be a control freak. At least that's what the numbers indicate.

Rizzi, a recent Austin High School graduate, walked only seven batters in 56 innings for the 11-12 Packers and capped his senior season by being named to play in the 29th annual Lions All-Star Baseball Tournament today and Saturday in Chaska.

Only 80 seniors statewide are honored by a cast of voting coaches, who this year awarded Rizzi for his hard work and self-control.

"This is awesome," Rizzi said. "This is something good for Austin. It has been rocky the last couple years, but we had a nice year this year, and this is a big honor. It's nice to be a part of it."

It would have been easy for Rizzi to become frustrated with baseball, but despite his 3-6 overall record Rizzi persevered. In nine starts, the Packer offense supported Rizzi with an average of just three runs per game. Only once did Rizzi allow more than three earned runs.

Rizzi gained control on the mound by pinpointing his fastball and accompanying it with a bevy of breaking balls. He hit corners and edges all season long with his curveball, changeup and an occasional knuckleball.

Rizzi finished his senior season with a 2.63 ERA and was eventually named to the All-Big Nine Conference squad for the second consecutive year. He also received the Dick Seltz baseball scholarship from Austin High School, as he intends to play for St. Scholastica in Duluth this fall.

"He did it all for us," said AHS coach Troy Watkins, "pitching, hitting and leadership. He's just a great all-around player and a great kid."

Watkins was Austin's third varsity baseball coach in the last three years. In Duluth, Rizzi will join a Saints squad that has won six straight Upper Midwest Athletic Conference titles. St. Scholastica was two games away from the NAIA College World Series this season.

All-Stars play today

Rizzi and his South Lions All-Star squad take to the Chaska Athletic Park today at 4:30 p.m. to face the Metro East All-Star contingent for a nine-inning game. Pitchers are allowed just four innings on the hill during the three-game weekend, but Rizzi would be willing to play any other position on the diamond.

"I just want to go out and play my best and show the other teams that you don't have to be from the cities to play good baseball," Rizzi said. "You just have to play well with the chances out there and make every at-bat count."

On Saturday, the South squad plays against the Metro West team at 10 a.m. and Metro South at 4:30 p.m. Both Saturday games will go just seven innings. Rizzi hopes to be back in action with the Austin Legion Post 91 team on Sunday for the final round of the Faribault Tournament.

Rizzi is one of seven players representing Big Nine baseball in this weekend's All-Star game. Austin boasted the best team ERA in the conference this season behind Rizzi's prowess, but the Packers' batting average was also the lowest. Rizzi led the team with a .306 mark, while striking out 53 opposing batters ranked him third in the Big Nine.

"This is a good way for you to show your skills and play against other top players," Rizzi said.

Rizzi joins a list of recent All-Star honorees with former AHS standouts Mike Wuertz (1997) and Nick Rohne (2000). Wuertz is a pitcher in the Chicago Cubs' minor league system in Des Moines, Iowa, while Rohne will be a senior next season at Southwest State, where he was an All-Conference and All-Region pick.

"If you're picked for it, at least in the state of Minnesota, that's one of the biggest baseball honors," Rizzi said. "I'm excited to go out and play."

Call sports editor Ross Thede at 434-2234 or e-mail him at :mailto:sports@austindailyherald.com.