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Jun. 6—HARTSELLE — When the lights are the brightest, Asher Doepel shines the most.
He proved that last year when he took his performance to the next level in the playoffs, eventually earning the MVP of the baseball state finals as Hartselle won the Class 6A state championship.
This year history repeated itself.
The 2026 Class 5A-7A Decatur Daily baseball player of the year put together another elite season, hitting .384 with 57 runs scored and 28 RBIs. He also had a 1.82 ERA on the mound with a 7-1 record and four saves.
For the second year in a row he earned MVP of the state finals while leading the Tigers to their 11th state championship.
"I've been able to play in three state championships and win two. Most people don't even get to play in one," Doepel said. "It's something I'm very thankful for and I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."
Hartselle head coach Brad Phillips, who previously coached college baseball before taking over the Tigers' program prior to last season, didn't mince words on what Doepel brought to the table.
"He's one of the best players I've ever coached," Phillips said. "What he brings to the table, his determination, his passion, his worth ethic, the way he refuses to give in; he's a special player. He's one of one."
So what is it about the clutch moments that makes Doepel that much better?
Last year in the state finals Doepel picked up a save in game one and a win in game two on the mound, while also being a force at the plate. This year he was brought in to pitch late in both games of the finals, picking up the win in each. He also scored both runs in the final game which Hartselle won 2-1 in extra innings.
"I love the pressure of the big moments. It's how I've been my whole life," Doepel said. "When something's on the line, I want to be the one to win it."
It's that mindset that made the coaches put him in some of baseball's toughest roles including lead-off hitter, shortstop, closer and, if needed, game-three starter.
"There were guys that could hit it harder, throw harder and run faster, but there's nobody I trusted in the big moments more than him," Phillips said. "Whether it was at the plate, in the field or on the mound in a 1-1 game, he made the team better when he was front and center. I give him a lot of credit for the grit that our team played with."
Doepel is the 26th Hartselle baseball player to be named The Decatur Daily player of the year. However, while he said it was an honor to join what he considers an elite roster of players, he's most proud of what he was able to do for the program.
Doepel was a sophomore when former head coach William Booth, the patriarch of Hartselle baseball, died in 2024. When current head coach Brad Phillips stepped in to replace him, there were questions of whether the Tigers could continue their success. Two state championships later, the program is stronger than ever.
"Coach Phillips deserves a lot of credit because he was put in an impossible situation having to come in and fill (Booth's) shoes," Doepel said. "But for the players, there was only one thing we knew how to do, and that was win. I'm happy that we were able to maintain the success of Hartselle baseball, and I have no doubt that it will continue."
— [email protected] or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2
Continue reading...
He proved that last year when he took his performance to the next level in the playoffs, eventually earning the MVP of the baseball state finals as Hartselle won the Class 6A state championship.
This year history repeated itself.
The 2026 Class 5A-7A Decatur Daily baseball player of the year put together another elite season, hitting .384 with 57 runs scored and 28 RBIs. He also had a 1.82 ERA on the mound with a 7-1 record and four saves.
For the second year in a row he earned MVP of the state finals while leading the Tigers to their 11th state championship.
"I've been able to play in three state championships and win two. Most people don't even get to play in one," Doepel said. "It's something I'm very thankful for and I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."
Hartselle head coach Brad Phillips, who previously coached college baseball before taking over the Tigers' program prior to last season, didn't mince words on what Doepel brought to the table.
"He's one of the best players I've ever coached," Phillips said. "What he brings to the table, his determination, his passion, his worth ethic, the way he refuses to give in; he's a special player. He's one of one."
So what is it about the clutch moments that makes Doepel that much better?
Last year in the state finals Doepel picked up a save in game one and a win in game two on the mound, while also being a force at the plate. This year he was brought in to pitch late in both games of the finals, picking up the win in each. He also scored both runs in the final game which Hartselle won 2-1 in extra innings.
"I love the pressure of the big moments. It's how I've been my whole life," Doepel said. "When something's on the line, I want to be the one to win it."
It's that mindset that made the coaches put him in some of baseball's toughest roles including lead-off hitter, shortstop, closer and, if needed, game-three starter.
"There were guys that could hit it harder, throw harder and run faster, but there's nobody I trusted in the big moments more than him," Phillips said. "Whether it was at the plate, in the field or on the mound in a 1-1 game, he made the team better when he was front and center. I give him a lot of credit for the grit that our team played with."
Doepel is the 26th Hartselle baseball player to be named The Decatur Daily player of the year. However, while he said it was an honor to join what he considers an elite roster of players, he's most proud of what he was able to do for the program.
Doepel was a sophomore when former head coach William Booth, the patriarch of Hartselle baseball, died in 2024. When current head coach Brad Phillips stepped in to replace him, there were questions of whether the Tigers could continue their success. Two state championships later, the program is stronger than ever.
"Coach Phillips deserves a lot of credit because he was put in an impossible situation having to come in and fill (Booth's) shoes," Doepel said. "But for the players, there was only one thing we knew how to do, and that was win. I'm happy that we were able to maintain the success of Hartselle baseball, and I have no doubt that it will continue."
— [email protected] or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2
Continue reading...
