First Team
Taylor Lehnert
Position: Pitcher
Year: Senior
School: Lake Central
Stats: 11-0, 3 S, 0.65 ERA, 14 BB, 111 K
Analysis: The righty has a fastball that would be issued I-94 speeding tickets and a power game that will only get better when he focuses purely on baseball. He led his team in ERA and made for a tough combination pitcher with teammate Jimmy McNamara.
Jimmy McNamara
Position: Pitcher
Year: Senior
School: Lake Central
Stats: 10-1, 1 S, 0.82 ERA, 13 BB, 124 K; .303, 5 2B, 20 RBIs, 18 R
Analysis: Among the finesse lefty's eight complete games was a shutout in the state finals. His career will continue with Lake Central teammate Taylor Lehnert at Central Michigan, where if they choose to use him as a hitter, he won't disappoint. He was as effective at the plate as he was on the mound.
Jake Post
Position: Pitcher
Year: Senior
School: Chesterton
Stats: 5-4, 2.28 ERA, 69 K, 58 IP, 15 BB
Analysis: The Ohio State recruit and Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick was the victim of a punchless offense but showed his plus stuff with an extra-inning win over Lake Central, the Indians' only loss of the season.
Zac Ryan
Position: RHP/CF/1B
Year: Junior
School: Andrean
Stats: 9-1, 1.49 ERA, 70 K, 56 IP; .427 BA, 10 2B, 3 HR, 26 RBIs, 36 R 9 SB.
Analysis: Ryan committed to Georgia Tech before starting his junior season, then promptly led his team with six shutouts and a batting average that made him tough to pitch around.
Jake Wright
Position: Catcher
Year: Senior
School: Kankakee Valley
Stats: .559 BA, 12 2B, 5 3B, 1 HR, 39 RBIs.
Analysis: The Kougars catcher worked his way into a force to be reckoned with. His offensive numbers made him almost automatic on the base paths and would all but guarantee K.V. an early run. His triples numbers would have set a school record had teammate Zach DeFries not annihilated it.
Cody Hayes
Position: First Base
Year: Senior
School: Hebron
Stats: .367, 21 RBIs, 16 SB; 8-2, 1.55 ERA, 117 K, 77 IP
Analysis: The lefty was arguably the centerpiece of a Hawks team that came within a strike of reaching the state finals. He absolutely shined in the 2A semistate, fanning 14. His Ks were second in the area to McNamara.
David Bolla
Position: Second Base
Year: Senior
School: Wheeler
Stats: .480, 43 R, 12 2B, 23 SB
Analysis: Injuries have limited Bolla to playing a position where he doesn't have to rely on a strong throwing arm, but it sure doesn't affect his hitting and running. With a rare season of relatively good health, he was able to show he's still got plenty of game.
Gabe Acevedo
Position: Third Base
Year: Senior
School: Portage
Stats: .526, 7 HR, 48 RBIs, 20 total extra base hits
Analysis: The Western Illinois recruit simply continued to mash region pitching this season. The only thing missing from his prep resume was a sectional title, but it was no fault of his own.
Kody Alayon
Position: Shortstop
Year: Senior
School: Bishop Noll
Stats: .494 BA, 35 R, 42 H, 4 HR, 26 RBIs, 3 3B, 8 2B, 14 SB, .596 OBP.
Analysis: Was the Warriors' best player the last two seasons, pacing his team to a regional appearance. He was a speedster on the base paths and didn't let a slow midseason take away from his leadership. He powered through slumps and continued to keep his and his team's spirits high.
Chase Fieldhouse
Position: Outfield
Year: Senior
School: Lake Central
Stats: .440 BA, 35 RBIs, 6 SB, 4 HR, 10 2B, 40 R
Analysis: If the move to a BBCOR bat frustrated Fieldhouse, he didn't show it. Though his power numbers dropped, his overall performance didn't. He took advantage of showing diversity in his game by succeeding the small-ball way, making him an asset to the college team that scoops him up.
Zach DeFries
Position: Outfield
Year: Senior
School: Kankakee Valley
Stats: .448 BA, 12 3B, 5 2B, 2 HR, 30 RBIs
Analysis: His 12 triples matched an IHSAA state record and made him a tough 1-2 combo with teammate Jake Wright. The pair helped keep Northwest Crossroads Conference teams on their toes the entire season and paced the Kougars into the sectional finals.
Greg Fadell
Position: Outfield
Year: Senior
School: Washington Township
Stats: .481, 5 HR, 14 2B, 36 RBIs, 45 R 12 3B, 20 career 3B.
Analysis: Senators coach Randy Roberts is not one to toss around compliments, but he was effusive in his praise of Fadell, whom he considers as good of a defensive player as he's ever coached at the Class A school. Oh, and the sweet-swinging lefty can rake, too, as claiming a share of the state triples record attests.
Devin Bafia
Position: Utility
Year: Junior
School: Valparaiso
Stats: 8-4, 2.95 ERA, 80 K, 60 IP, .388, 24 RBIs, 3 wins in sectional
Analysis: If Bafia hadn't already proven his worth to the Vikings, he cemented in the postseason by claiming all three pitching victories in Valpo's run to the sectional title. In addition to his mound presence, he was also one of the team's top hitters. He'll be among the area's best players next season.
Second Team
Joe Dougherty, Morgan Township
Pitcher | Jr. | 9-3, 1.83 ERA, 102 K, 80 1/3 IP, .324, 3 HR, 8 2B.
Analysis: In all likelihood, the Cherokees (23-6) don't win a sectional and reach the regional final without their big ace's exploits. Dougherty arrived at Morgan with plenty of promise and is now on the track for greatness.
Brandon Murray, Hobart
Pitcher | So. | 3.03 ERA, .163 BA against him, 62 1/3 IP, 105 K, 55 BB, 6-4, 1 S, 5 CG, 2 SO
Analysis: That the sophomore has two more years in the NCC should scare most opponents. He's quick, tough to hit and will improve his power pitching.
Jordan Minch, Highland
Pitcher | Sr. | 3-3, 2 S, 2.71 ERA, 96 K; .333 BA, 22 R, 5 2B, 2 HR, 14 RBIs
Analysis: Minch was one of a small handful of returning players to the Highland team, so he saw his pitching numbers diminish this season. Headed to Purdue just to pitch, he took advantage of his last opportunity at the plate to lead his team in nearly every offensive category.
Zach Plesac, Crown Point
Pitcher | Jr. | 8-2, 1 S, 70 K, 47 2/3 IP; .362 BA, 23 RBIs, 10 2B, 3 HR
Analysis: A tough righty and ace of the Bulldogs staff, he showed calm under pressure recording the season's only two-run no-hitter. He'll be even tougher to hit as senior.
Joe Gallinatti, Valparaiso
Catcher | Sr. | .398, 8 2B, 32 RBIs, 6 SB
Analysis: The Green Monster is in Boston, but the green wall resided behind the plate for the Vikings. The Illinois State-bound Gallinatti was a defensive force with Valpo and also provided one of its most dependable bats.
Dan Stum, Hanover Central
First base | Sr., | .462 BA, 11 SB, 2 HR, 12 2B, 34 R, 28 RBIs
Analysis: The Porter County Conference Player of the year, Stum helped lead his team in a new class and with the target of their 2011 success firmly on his back.
Jake Lindeman, Crown Point
Second base | Jr. | .344, 30 RBIs, 5 2B, 4 3B, 3 HR, 25 R
Analysis: As the Bulldogs battled through injury during the season, Lindeman kept his cool and his team on track offensively.
Garrett Walter, South Central
Third base | Sr. | .500, 8 HR, 35 RBIs, 10 2B, 12 SB; 6-3
Analysis: Don't poo poo the numbers by saying Walter feasted on sub-par pitching. He pretty much chowed down on everybody, hitting for average and power. The Satellites won a sectional each year he was there. Case closed.
Mike Brosseau, Andrean
Shortstop | Sr. | .422 BA, 16 SB, 32 R, 8 2B, 32 R
Analysis: Headed to Oakland University, Brosseau showed aplomb over the three years since taking the shortstop position from a pair of Division I talents. His speed and defensive ability make him a quintessential shortstop.
Adam Fulk, Lake Central
Outfield | Sr. | .355 BA, 26 RBIs, 10 SB, 3 HR, 3 3B, 3 2B, 25 R
Analysis: Fulk had an exceptional first half of his DAC season and didn't let a slump get him down. He maintained a high standard of defense and leadership.
Danny Oseguera, Bishop Noll
Outfield | Sr. | .405 BA, 23 R, 20 RBIs, 1 HR, 5 2B, 15 SB
Analysis: The offensive catalyst for the Warriors, he didn't disappoint as a leadoff hitter with a .542 on-base percentage. His 15 stolen bases made him tough to catch once he took first.
Kyle Hernandez, Hebron
Outfield | Sr. | .378, 45 RBIs, 17 extra-base hits (3 HR, 8 3B), 16 SB
Analysis: One of the sweetest swings around belonged to Hernandez, a triples machine who provided plenty of punch in the middle of the Hawks' lineup and speed that served well on the bases and in the outfield.
Jesse Smith, Griffith
Utility | Jr. | 4-4, 2.96 ERA, 61 K, 52 IP; .275, 18 R, 21 RBIs
Analysis: The ultimate utility player, Smith started at five of the six infield positions this season and pitched in his team's biggest games (including against Andrean twice). He recorded 88 putouts and 36 assists, recording just two errors at any of those five positions.
Honorable mention
Duneland Athletic Conference
Chesterton: Bobby Humphreys. Crown Point: Joe Hopman. Lake Central: Austen Wagoner, Ryan Pachowicz, Nick Kellams. LaPorte: Francis Silfa. Merrillville: Aaron Dye, Jose Carbajal. Michigan City: Andrew Ray. Portage: David Jercha, Zach Simmons, Andrew Brown, Kris Springman. Valparaiso: John Olejniczak, Jeff Holmes.
Great Lakes Athletic Conference
Clark: Enrique Zamora, Jerald Morgan. Gavit: Mookie Davis. Hammond: Eli Harris. Morton: Chris McCormack, Angel Vanderdyz, Aurileo Cazares.
Greater South Shore Conference
Bishop Noll: Cody Moskovsky, Chad Mateja, Julian Guerrero, Danny Pobereyko. Calumet: K.C. Woleski. Lake Station: Kris Suleski. Marquette: Parker Buell. North Newton: Wes Pemberton, Chad Schultz. River Forest: Jason Temple, O'Shea Owens, Omar Nuñez. Wheeler: Tyler Crussen, Jesse Kellar, Nick Naspinski, Matt Ittersagen. Whiting: Matt Dvorscak, Gio Cruz.
Porter County Conference
Boone Grove: Dean Hill, Cody Poynter. Hanover Central: Jesse Wilkening, Zac Maciejewski. Hebron: Damon Wallace, Kyle Joyce. Kouts: Max Everaert. LaCrosse: Jared Dyjak, Jimmy Rippe. Morgan Township: Brandon Murphy, Jordan Polito, Ryan Klikus. South Central: Blake Geskey. Washington Township: Justin Landgrebe, Bob Ross.
Northwest Crossroads Conference
Andrean: Nick Tobye, Mark Pishkur, Cody Haver. Griffith: Brett Brinkley, Garrett Litke, Anthony Carter. Highland: Tyler Fraley. Hobart: Jake Erlich, Chris Moore, Phil Madvek. Kankakee Valley: Chris Rusk. Lowell: Tyler Hamm, Danny DeBoer. Munster: Scott Jerge, Chris Slivka, Mark Strbjak.
Northwestern Conference
West Side: Todd Porter, Aaron Hall.
Others
Bowman Academy: Terrance Harris. E.C. Central: Luis Perez. Rensselaer: Ryan Lattimore, Jake West. Westville: Matt Beard, Austin Swistek.
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