By KSHSAA Covered
KANSAS – McPherson senior shortstop Hunter Alvord and Wichita Collegiate senior pitcher Hayden Malaise helped their teams repeat as state champions, and both earned top awards from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches for the second straight year.
The KABC announced its 2023 All-State teams, as well as players, pitchers and coaches of the year for all classes. Alvord, last year’s Class 4A co-player of the year with Tonganoxie’s Gehrig Goldbeck, earned the outright honor this season after leading the Bullpups to a 21-4 record, including a 6-0 victory over Columbus in Friday’s 4A title game in Salina.
Malaise, who helped Collegiate win its second straight Class 3A championship, repeated as 3A pitcher of the year. The Cloud Community College-bound right-hander was one of three Spartans named to the All-3A first team.
Olathe South catcher and Kansas State commit Nick English was named Class 6A player of the year. Blue Valley Northwest career strikeout leader Jack Kreisman earned 6A pitcher of the year honors, while Olathe North’s Adam Loecker earned coach of the year honors after leading the Eagles to a state tournament berth.
In Class 5A, St. Thomas Aquinas junior Blake O’Brien was named player of the year after leading the Saints to a third-place state finish. Eisenhower senior and Wichita State signee Tyner Horn earned pitcher of the year after posting a 0.00 ERA that culminated with a three-hit shutout of Seaman in the 5A quarterfinals.
Clay Center senior Mark Hoffman joined Alvord among 4A individual honorees, earning pitcher of the year after helping the Tigers post a 21-2 record and reach the state tournament. Hoffman’s coach, Andrew Bent, was named 4A coach of the year.
Wichita Trinity claimed two of the 3A honors, as senior Easton Norris was named player of the year and Josh Robertson was voted coach of the year. The Knights posted a 20-3 record, with all of the losses coming to 3A champion Collegiate.
Little River’s 20-2 season yielded a Class 2-1A player of the year honor for senior Braden Young and coach of the year honor for Terry Renken. Elkhart’s Kage Ralstin was named pitcher of the year after helping the Wildcats post a third-place state finish.
CLASS 6A
First team
Pitcher – Jack Kreisman, sr., Blue Valley Northwest; Brandon Stone, sr., Shawnee Mission West; Austin Young, sr., Blue Valley West; Griffin Allen, jr., Blue Valley North; Gavin Blachowicz, jr., Olathe South. Catcher – Nick English, sr., Olathe South. First base – Jack Jones, jr., Shawnee Mission East. Third base – Quinton Coats, jr., Olathe South. Middle infield – Jackson Evans, sr., Olathe North; Keenan Schartz, sr., Manhattan; Michael Novak, sr., Olathe East. Outfield – Ian Luce, sr., Manhattan; Harry Tryban, sr., Olathe East; Tyler Janssen, jr., Olathe North; Andrew Casey, sr., Shawnee Mission West. Utility – Carson Smith, jr., Wichita Heights. Designated hitter – Kyler Horsman, sr., Manhattan.
Second team
Pitcher – Kyler Horsman, sr., Manhattan; Jack Wilson, sr., Olathe North; Mitchell Johnson, sr., Derby; Kyle Graves, jr., Free State; Dylan Butash, jr., Gardner-Edgerton; Nic Mozingo, sr., Olathe North. Catcher – Barrett Donaldson, sr., Blue Valley West. First base – Zach Darche, sr., Blue Valley West. Third base – Jack Schneider, sr., Blue Valley West. Middle infield – Jax Noller, sr., Olathe South; Josh Cline, sr., Wichita East; Scotty Fegen, jr., Shawnee Mission East. Outfield – Easton O’Keefe, jr., Blue Valley West; Taccarri Brown, jr., Wichita Northwest; Jackson Polich, sr., Olathe North; Tyler Gagnon, sr., Manhattan. Utility – Trey Mock, sr., Blue Valley Northwest. Designated hitter – Brady Unrein, jr., Wichita Northwest.
Honorable mention
Pitcher – Brady Unrein, jr., Wichita Northwest; Sam Bettis, so., Washburn Rural; Izac Thompson, sr., Olathe North; Gage Handzel, sr., Shawnee Mission West; Mitchell Mauk, sr., Gardner-Edgerton. Catcher – Jaxon Vikander, sr., Manhattan. First base – Cooper Oakley, jr., Wichita Heights. Third base – Zach Root, sr., Wichita Northwest. Middle infield – Nick Sawyer, jr., Blue Valley West; Kyle Walker, sr., Washburn Rural; PJ Hughes, sr., Manhattan.
Player of the year – Nick English, sr., Olathe South
Pitcher of the year – Jack Kreisman, sr., Blue Valley Northwest
Coach of the year – Adam Loecker, Olathe North
CLASS 5A
First team
Pitcher – Tyner Horn, sr., Eisenhower; Donovan Johnson, sr., Spring Hill; Blake O’Brien, jr., St. Thomas Aquinas; Colton Watkins, jr., Goddard; Bryson Vawter, sr., Seaman. Catcher – Tucker Akins, jr., Pittsburg. First base – Cru Huenfeld, so., St. Thomas Aquinas. Third base – Reed Haneberg, sr., Bishop Carroll. Middle infield – Cooper Tabor, sr., Andover Central; Colby Gomez, jr., Newton; Keaton Neal, fr., Spring Hill. Outfield – Bo Shinkle, sr., Blue Valley Southwest; Nathan Tajchman, jr., Bishop Carroll; Ashton Larson, sr., St. Thomas Aquinas; Carson Roy, sr., Eisenhower. Utility – Tyler Stuhlsatz, sr., Great Bend. Designated hitter – TJ Coats, sr., Blue Valley Southwest.
Second team
Pitcher – Peyton Newell, sr., Bishop Carroll; Anson Seibert, jr., Blue Valley Southwest; Jeremy Comer, sr., St. James Academy; Drew Veatch, sr., Andover Central; Shane Holman, jr., Bishop Carroll. Catcher – Hunter Higgins, fr., Maize South. First base – Jackson Turnbull, sr., Pittsburg. Third base – Max Brown, jr., Eisenhower. Middle infield – Brenden Buseman, sr., Andover; Austin Rudkin, jr., Goddard; Brady Stewart, fr., St. Thomas Aquinas. Outfield – Will Rogers, sr., Eisenhower; Carson Umphres, so., Great Bend; Trevor Pierce, sr., Arkansas City; Jackson Daniel, so., Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Utility – Dylan Burr, fr., Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Designated hitter – Eddie Henchek, sr., St. Thomas Aquinas.
Honorable mention
Pitcher – Owen Myers, sr., Newton; Cooper Zimmer, sr., Goddard; Kiernan Meredith, sr., Seaman; Charlie Rambo, sr., Leavenworth; Eddie Henchek, sr., St. Thomas Aquinas. Catcher – Miller Murray, sr., St. James Academy. First base – Cal Purvis, fr., Bishop Carroll. Third base – Kaiden Griffin, jr., Seaman. Middle infield – Holden Finley, jr., Seaman; Max Huston, so., Seaman; Van Haneberg, jr., Bishop Carroll. Outfield – Corey Bennett, sr., St. James Academy; Hank Welu, jr., Valley Center; Kenyon McMillan, sr., Salina Central; Cooper Burke, sr., Maize. Utility – Easton Boone, sr., Valley Center. Designated hitter – Zack Cole, sr., Shawnee Heights.
Player of the year – Blake O’Brien, jr., St. Thomas Aquinas
Pitcher of the year – Tyner Horn, sr., Eisenhower
Coach of the year – TBD
CLASS 4A
First team
Pitcher – Mark Hoffman, sr., Clay Center; Daegen Vinduska, jr., Rock Creek; Rocco Loffredo, jr., Fort Scott; Jaret Myers, sr., McPherson; Trevor McGraw, jr., Tonganoxie. Catcher – Logan Wake, sr., Tonganoxie. First base – Larsen Koester, jr., Chanute. Third base – Boston Bruce, jr., Atchison. Middle infield – Hunter Alvord, sr., McPherson; Hunter Loethen, so., Paola; Jeffrey Neill, jr., Buhler. Outfield – Jaytin Gumm, sr., McPherson; Cole Pladson, so., Clay Center; Ethan Burgess, sr., Rock Creek; Matthew Eddy, sr., Buhler. Utility – Landon Haines, sr., Circle. Designated hitter – Kale Murdock, sr., Paola.
Second team
Pitcher – Cooper Grace, so., Hayden; Keaton Matlick, sr., Paola; Colton Roberts, so., Rose Hill; Owen Blaine, jr., Ottawa; Yogi Purdy, fr., Atchison. Catcher – Eli Kellogg, sr., Fort Scott. First base – Brendan Scripsick, so., Buhler. Third base – Jarrett Hermann, sr., Iola. Middle infield – Rhett Smith, jr., Chanute; Korbin Cloud, jr., Iola; Gannon White, sr., El Dorado. Outfield – Cody Wilson, sr., Fort Scott; Declan Battle, jr., Louisburg; Carter Long, jr., Clay Center; Scotty Carr, jr., Rose Hill. Utility – Jagger Day, so., Baldwin. Designated hitter – Shane McGuire, jr., Augusta.
Honorable mention
Pitcher – Korbin Cloud, jr., Iola; Rhett Smith, jr., Chanute; TJ Kerns, jr., Ottawa; Dane Warmuskerken, sr., Baldwin; Ian Razak, so., McPherson. Catcher – Dawson Feil, sr., McPherson. First base – Jake Titus, sr., Ottawa. Third base – Cooper Grace, so., Hayden. Middle infield – Chase Cottam, sr., Wamego; Adam Woods, sr., Winfield; Lennox Vann, so., Fort Scott. Outfield – Jackson Summer, sr., Hayden; Nathan Meisch, jr., Chanute; Maddox Ibarra, sr., Rock Creek; Kaden Kerr, jr., Eudora. Utility – Zach Miller, jr., Abilene. Designated hitter – Brandon McKarnin, sr., Iola.
Player of the year – Hunter Alvord, sr., McPherson
Pitcher of the year – Mark Hoffman, sr., Clay Center
Coach of the year – Andrew Bent, Clay Center
CLASS 3A
First team
Pitcher – Hayden Malaise, sr., Wichita Collegiate; Brett Black, sr., Wichita Collegiate; Matt Omundsen, jr., Wichita Trinity; Seth Stover, sr., Columbus; Kael Shelite, sr., Hesston. Catcher – Brady Hunt, sr., Wichita Collegiate. First base – Christian McAfee, jr., Sabetha. Third base – Alex Coester, sr., Girard. Middle infield – Easton Norris, sr., Wichita Trinity; Nolan Freund, sr., Kingman; Shane Puckett, sr., Colby. Outfield – Gunnar Ball, sr., Perry-Lecompton; Sam Hull, jr., Humboldt; Jackson Cross, sr., Russell; Ashton Rockey, sr., Hiawatha. Utility – Landin Midgett, sr., Columbus. Designated hitter – Parrish Beagle, sr. Maur Hill.
Second team
Pitcher – Cole Linton, jr., Goodland; Whit Rhodes, jr., Hesston; Trevor Amershek, sr., Girard; Preston Sander, jr., Haven; Joaquin Sanchez, jr., Wichita Trinity. Catcher – Carter Helm, jr., Kingman. First base – Cameron Farmer, sr., Russell. Third base – Chase Steinert, sr., Hoisington. Middle infield – Eli Dean, so., Perry-Lecompton; Stryker Hake, sr., Concordia; Logan Myers, sr., Frontenac. Outfield – Cooper Hosman, jr., Ellinwood; Lane Rolfs, jr., Ellsworth; Brett Cox, sr., Hesston; Jaylen McGuire, sr., Riverton. Utility – Ty Williams, sr., Perry-Lecompton. Designated hitter – Kolt Ungeheuer, sr., Columbus.
Honorable mention
Pitcher – Trey Sommer, sr., Humboldt; JP Harris, sr., Scott City; Brayden Uphaus, sr., Nemaha Central; Kade Blanchat, sr., Smoky Valley; Chad Robert, jr., Santa Fe Trail. Catcher – Brady Welker, jr., Scott City. First base – Kyle Strother, jr., Santa Fe Trail. Third base – Cole Webber, jr., Ellsworth. Middle infield – Tony Moore, jr., Hoisington; Luke Gebhardt, sr., Southeast of Saline; Kooper Konitzer, jr., Prairie View; Braden Roberts, so., Wichita Trinity; Kayden Cox, sr., Columbus; Garrett Watson, jr., Caney Valley; Markus Bauman, jr., Sabetha. Utility – Dylan Gantz, sr., Stafford. Designated hitter – Xavier Oldham, sr., Hiawatha.
Player of the year – Easton Norris, sr., Wichita Trinity
Pitcher of the year – Hayden Malaise, sr., Wichita Collegiate
Coach of the year – Josh Robertson, Wichita Trinity
CLASS 2-1A
First team
Pitcher – Kage Ralstin, sr., Elkhart; Trevor Church, sr., Crest; Dalton Mantz, sr., Little River; Zac Fisher, sr., Onaga; Ben Raschke, sr., Kansas City Christian. Catcher – Colby Sinkins, sr., Onaga. First base – Josiah Claassen, sr., Remington. Third base – Dylan Cervantez, sr., Valley Falls. Middle infield – Cesar Gomez, sr., Elkhart; Logan Renken, so., Little River; Abe Huaracha, sr., St. Marys. Outfield – Brant Mikulecky, sr., Inman; Zac Evans, jr., Valley Falls; Grant Stephens, sr., Little River; Rogan Weir, jr., Crest. Utility – Braden Young, sr., Little River. Designated hitter – Austin Rich, sr., Elkhart.
Second team
Pitcher – Russ Smith, jr., Central-Burden; Corey Crumrine, so., Sedgwick; Stetson Setter, sr., Crest; Brayden Berens, jr., Pratt Skyline; Preston Christenson, sr., Troy. Catcher – Cooper Simmons, jr., Pittsburg Colgan. First base – Carter Cunningham, jr., Medicine Lodge. Third base – Gavin Worrell, sr., Bluestem. Middle infield – Stetson Setter, sr., Crest; Hayden Kearney, so., Valley Falls; Sterling Lies, jr., Sedgwick. Outfield – Easton Renn, sr., Southeast of Cherokee; Bradan Balman, sr., Central-Burden; Jack Lanning, jr., Marion; Drew Konrade, so., Lebo. Utility – Jarrett Kliesen, sr., Spearville. Designated hitter – Lander Smith, so., Marion.
Honorable mention
Pitcher – Evan Bogart, jr., Salina Sacred Heart; Trenten VanHoutan, so., Oskaloosa; Mitch Norris, sr., Marion; Wyatt Scales, sr., Southeast of Cherokee. Catcher – Cauy Scripsick, sr., Medicine Lodge. First base – Jack White, sr., Crest. Third base – Coy Perry, jr., Oskaloosa. Middle infield – Karter Hilten, jr., Oxford; Jackson Kolterman, so., Onaga; Jarret Mader, sr., Ellis. Outfield – Jeff Nold, jr., Sedgwick; JT Prusa, so., Bucklin; Clayton Cole, sr., Elkhart; Cooper Bailey, jr., Marion. Utility – Corey Reese Jr., jr., Lebo. Designated hitter – Christian Brown, sr., Sedgwick.
Player of the year – Braden Young, sr., Little River
Pitcher of the year – Kage Ralstin, sr., Elkhart
Coach of the year – Terry Renken, Little River
