As Albert Lea’s only senior, Johnathan Fleek led a group of young baseball players back from a 10-game losing streak to a spot in the Section 2AA championship game.

“He rose to the occasion and got everyone else to pull together as one,” said Albert Lea coach Joe Sczublewski. “He showed tremendous leadership ability, poise and a competitive nature that was remarkable.”

Fleek is the Tribune’s All-Area baseball Player of the Year.

To view complete listings o the Tribune’s All-Area First and Second Teams, click HERE.

Sczublewski said Fleek had the tools to be successful on the infield: soft hands, quick feet and the ability to anticipate what to do before each play.

“Defensively, he was the best shortstop I’ve seen in the Big Nine since I’ve been coaching, and he makes difficult plays look easy,” Sczublewski said in his 25th season leading the Tigers. “He covers so much ground around him to all sides and turns the double play flawlessly.”

Along with playing shortstop, Fleek also pitched nine more innings than anyone else on Albert Lea’s roster. In 47 1/3 innings, he amassed an area-best record of 5-2 and an earned-run average of 1.63, which was also the top mark Tribune’s four-team spring baseball coverage area.

“Even though pitching is a secondary position for him, he wanted the ball when the game was on the line,” Sczublewski said.

At the plate, Fleek led the area with 28 hits and posted a batting average of .418. His on-base percentage was .551, and his slugging percentage was .522. In addition, Fleek stole a team-high 10 bases out of 11 attempts.

Albert Lea began the season with a 4-3 record, but then went on a 10-game losing streak. The Tigers turned the tide in the regular-season finale with a 17-0 win against NRHEG on May 21 at Hayek Field. Then, Albert Lea went on to win its first three postseason games to take the Subsection 2AA South crown. After a loss against Glencoe-Silver Lake — a team that took third place at the state tournament — the Tigers beat Holy Family Catholic in the consolation bracket to qualify for the section title game.

“We didn’t give up,” Fleek said. “In a lot of our wins, we came from behind.”

Fleek’s father, Derek Fleek, was an assistant on Sczublewski’s staff. Derek also played his prep baseball career for Sczublewski and went on to play in right field at Des Moines Area Community College, Fleek said.

With seven sophomores on Albert Lea’s roster, Fleek was asked to help the coaching staff instruct the young team as well.

“He was used as a model often to demonstrate specific technique or skills to other players,” Sczublewski said.

Next season, Fleek will play baseball at Ellsworth Community College. He signed with coach Travis Akre and the Panthers on Jan. 15.

The Panthers start the year with a road game against Rend Lake College in Millington Tenn. at 10 a.m. Feb. 17.

This summer, he’s in the midst of the Legion baseball season playing for Albert Lea Post 56 coach Jay Enderson.