First Team

Chris Enderson,

Albert Lea, Sr., P

Albert Lea’s ace pitcher led the Tribune’s seven-team coverage area with a 1.73 ERA and had  three more wins than any other pitcher in the area. He played a key role in the Tigers 14-12 overall record and repeat berth in the Section 2AA championship game. Along with an 8-2 record from the hill, Enderson led the area in innings pitched at 60 2/3 and was second in the area with 65 strikeouts. At the plate, he had nine hits, including a two-run walk-off home run that capped a five-run comeback win over Mankato East on May 7.

 

Josh Peters,

Lake Mills, Sr., P/C

From the mound, Peters led the Bulldogs and the area with 73 strikeouts. His ERA of 2.17 and his 58 innings pitched were both second in the area. Peters played a vital role at the plate in Lake Mills’ 16-16 season. His hit total, 29, was fourth in the area, and he was fifth in the area in RBIs with 21.

 

Grant Becher,

USC, Jr., SS

As a leader at the top of the Rebels’ order, Becher came through with a .396 batting average, which was fourth in the area. He was eighth in the area with 25 hits, scored 26 runs and swiped 25 bags. USC coach Pat Frank said Becher made things happen in a positive way when he reached base. Becher was a Gopher All-Conference selection.

 

Matt Throne, 

Lake Mills, Sr., P

Throne led the area in two offensive categories and led the Bulldogs to three wins from the mound. His 33 hits and 26 RBIs led the area, and he posted a .320 batting average, which was third on the Bulldogs roster. Throne pitched 41 2/3 innings with a 3-6 record and was fourth in the area with 43 strikeouts. He led Lake Mills with 23 stolen bases.

 

Parker Mullenbach,

Albert Lea, Jr., 1B

Mullenbach led the Tigers at the plate with 32 hits and 24 RBIs and was second in the area in both categories. Mullenbach’s batting average, .368, was 11th in the area. He continued strong play from the batter’s box with a pair of grand slams as part of the Albert Lea Legion Post 56 baseball team this summer.

 

Cody Latusek,

USC, Sr., P

Latusek had the third-best winning percentage of any pitcher in the area with a record of 4-2. Defensively, Latusek also played second and base. At the plate, he anchored the lower part of the order with a .433 batting average, which was third in the area. Latusek also drew 21 walks and was a Gopher All-Conference selection.

 

Kole Smith,

Albert Lea, Sr., LF

Smith was the area’s batting champ and a model of efficiency. Along with his batting average of .450, Smith led Albert Lea with a .550 slugging percentage and a .476 on-base percentage. Smith also produced 18 hits, including four doubles, 12 RBIs and scored eight runs.

 

John Hubly,

NRHEG, Jr., IF

In three offensive categories, Hubly finished in the area’s top 10. His .370 batting average led the Panthers and was 10th in the area, he tied Albert Lea’s Mason Hammer and Lake Mills’ Slade Sifuentes with 27 hits, which was fifth in the area, and his 16 RBIs tied Lake Mills’ Charlie Dugger for ninth in the area.

 

Jake Thompson,

Albert Lea, Jr., SS

Along with consistent play at shortstop, Thompson excelled at the plate. He was one of three players in the area to break the 30-hit barrier. Thompson hit the mark on the nose with 30 hits, which was third in the area. He was 12th in the area and third on Albert Lea’s roster with a .349 batting average. Thompson tied Mason Hammer with an Albert Lea team-high eight doubles.

 

Second Team

Colin Wegner,

USC, Sr., C

Wegner is a three-year starter for the Rebels as a catcher or center fielder. He was solid behind the dish this year and did a great job shutting down opponents on the base paths, according to Rebels coach Pat Frank. At the plate, Wegner batted in the No. 2 slot with a .320 average and was fourth in the area with 23 RBIs.

 

Tristin Muilenburg,

Albert Lea, Sr. P

Muilenburg excelled as a relief pitcher in Albert Lea’s rotation. He kept opponents off-balance with a variety of pitches and posted a 3.32 ERA, which was fourth in the area. Muilenburg was a perfect 3-0 from the hill.

 

Lucas VanEngelenburg,

Alden-Conger, Jr., IF

Although the Knights played fewer than half as many games as Albert Lea and were unable to notch a win, VanEngelenburg’s numbers provide hope for the future. He led Alden-Conger with 14 hits and had a .438 batting average, which was second in the area. VanEngelenburg also posted two RBIs and scored six runs.

 

Brady Neel,

Alden-Conger, Sr., OF

Neel tied teammate Ty Lerum with a batting average of .394, which was second on the team and fifth in the area. Neel posted 13 hits, including two doubles, to go with three RBIs and five runs scored.

 

Mason Hammer,

Albert Lea, Jr., CF

With 27 hits, Hammer was in a three-way tie with NRHEG’s John Hubly and Lake Mills’ Slade Sifuentes for the fifth-most in the area. Hammer was consistent at the plate with a .346 batting average, which was 14th in the area and fifth on the Tigers’ roster. He tied Jake Thompson with an Albert Lea team-high eight doubles, scored 10 runs and drove in 12.

 

Riley Kloos,

USC, Sr., OF

Kloos was No. 3 in USC’s batting order, and he delivered a .380 batting average, which tied Lake Mills’ Slade Sifuentes for seventh in the area. Kloos played all over the field as a pitcher, catcher and center fielder and was a 2A All-Section selection.

 

Alex Bledsoe,

Albert Lea, So., IF

As a sophomore, Bledsoe wasn’t fazed by the varsity stage. He finished in the area’s top 15 in three offensive categories. Bledsoe’s 20 RBIs were sixth, his 24 hits were in a four-way tie for 10th and his .348 batting average was 13th.

 

Trevor Tracy,

NRHEG, Sr., P

Along with picking up a pair of pitching wins, Tracy was second on the Panthers’ roster and 10th in the area with 24 hits. His .343 batting average was 15th in the area, and he posted a .432 on-base percentage. In 44 2/3 innings on the hill, Tracy had a 5.32 ERA and struck out 23 batters.

 

Trevor Stencel,

USC, Jr., P

Stencel led the Rebels and was second in the area with a 5-3 pitching record and posted a 2.28 ERA, which was third in the area. At the plate, Stencel had a .185 batting average.

 

Honorable Mention

Slade Sifuentes,

Lake Mills, So., OF

 

Jake Kilby,

Albert Lea, Jr., P

 

Ty Lerum,

Alden-Conger, Sr., OF

 

Charlie Dugger,

Lake Mills, So., U

 

Zach Throne,

Lake Mills, So., U

 

Tanner Bellrichard,

Albert Lea, Jr., RF

 

Matt Jensen,

NRHEG, Sr., P

 

Brandon Severtson,

Northwood-Kensett, Sr., P

 

Dillan Lein,

Alden-Conger, So, IF

 

Dempsey Tucker,

NRHEG, Jr., P

 

Logan Benjegerdes,

Northwood-Kensett, 8th, U