FIRST TEAM

Tate Becker, Sr., P/SS/CF, Madelia

The Valley Division Player of the Year, Becker was the winning pitcher in the Class A State Championship for the Madelia Blackhawks. While he was strong at the plate with a .352 batting average, 37 hits, 30 RBIs, 34 runs scored and 21 stolen bases, where Becker truly shined was on the mound. Becker had a 9-0 record with 126 strikeouts, only allowing five earned runs all season with a .53 ERA. Becker had a no-hitter in the section semifinals and was an All-Conference, All-Section and All-State player.

Madden Lendt, So, SS/P, Springfield

The Tomahawk Division Player of the Year, Lendt had a hit in nearly half of his at-bats, posting a .494 batting average and a .583 OBP. Batting second in Springfield’s lineup, Lendt collected 39 hits, eight doubles, five triples, a home run, 23 RBIs, 41 runs scored and 17 stolen bases. On the mound, the sophomore was the Tigers’ ace, going 5-3 with 49 strikeouts, a 1.86 WHIP and a 1.86 ERA in 37 2/3 innings pitched. Lendt was an All-Conference and All-Section player this year.

Kayden Klein, Sr., P/SS, Sleepy Eye

Klein was not only Sleepy Eye’s go-to pitcher during his senior year, he was also Mr. Reliable at the plate as he turned in a .466 batting average. The All-Conference and All-Section player also had 41 hits, 13 doubles, four triples, 34 RBIs, 21 runs scored and 11 stolen bases, striking out just 11 times on the year. Klein led the team in hits, batting average, and RBIs and his 41 hits saw him finish the season tied for fourth in school history in single-season hits. On the mound, though, it was hard to beat Klein as he had wins over Madelia, Springfield, New Ulm Cathedral and Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, just to name a handful, and he had eight complete games. His lone loss came against Madelia in the section finals and he finished the year by pitching 55 innings with an 8-1 record, 2.04 ERA, 44 strikeouts and 16 walks allowed. His eight mound wins also tied him for sixth in school history for single-season wins.

Carson Uecker, Jr., C/P, Sleepy Eye

Uecker was Sleepy Eye’s catcher for just about every inning he wasn’t on the mound this season and it was rare to not see his name highlight the box scores in some way. Sleepy Eye head coach Aaron Nesvold said Uecker had a good eye at the plate, good power and speed on the base paths, something that allowed him to hit .455 with 40 hits, 15 doubles, four triples, a homer, 28 RBIs and 35 runs scored. He also drew 20 walks, swiped 17 bases and struck out just eight times all year, earning All-Conference and All-Section honors for his success. His 40 hits on the year tied him for fifth in school history for hits in a single season.

Alex Portner, Jr., 2B, Cathedral

The Greyhounds’ leadoff hitter was a spark plug for the team this season, leading the Greyhounds in hits, batting average, runs scored and stolen bases. He finished with a .450 batting average, 36 hits, 41 runs scored and 32 stolen bases while walking 11 times and driving in 14 runs. The All-Tomahawk player also struck out just seven times on the year and had an OBP of .537 while adding four doubles. Greyhounds head coach Alan Woitas called Portner an elite infielder who consistently makes above-average plays look routine.

Merrick Mathiowetz, Jr., SS/P, St. Mary’s

A .414 hitter, Mathiowetz led the Knights in hits with 29 and added 10 doubles, two triples and five home runs. He was also active on the base paths with 14 stolen bases and 28 runs scored and had a team-best 27 RBIs. On the mound, Mathiowetz pitched 20 1/3 innings with 33 strikeouts, 20 hits allowed and a 5.51 ERA. Mathiowetz earned his second All-Conference selection this year as a junior.

Tony Zaleski, Sr., 1B/P, Madelia

An All-Conference and All-State player, Zaleski was a powerhouse for the state-champion Blackhawks. The senior slugger put up a .402 batting average with a .523 OPS, collecting 41 hits, 20 of which went for extra bases. Zaleski added 30 RBIs, 38 runs scored and had a .987 fielding percentage. On the mound, Zaleski pitched 37.1 innings, going 4-0 with 67 strikeouts and a 1.31 ERA.

Tanner Backer, Jr., P/1B , New Ulm

Backer was New Ulm’s ace this season, pitching 48 innings with 56 strikeouts, a 1.44 ERA, a 0.99 WHIP and a 3-2 record. At the plate, the senior hit .296 with 21 hits, two doubles, nine RBIs and 10 runs scored as a Class AAA All-State and All-Conference player.

Zach Jacobs, Jr., SS/P, Madelia

Jacobs was an excellent shortstop for Madelia this season, committing only three errors with a .952 fielding percentage. At the plate, he had a .279 batting average with 24 hits, 14 RBIs and 25 runs scored, but he elevated his play during the state tournament, batting .667 with a .875 OBP during Madelia’s run. Jacobs was also strong on the mound, going 8-3, including a win in the state semifinals, with 52 strikeouts and a 2.69 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched. The junior was an All-Conference Honorable Mention and made the All-State Tournament Team.

SECOND TEAM

Aiden Moriarty, Jr., 1B/3B/P, Springfield

Moriarty was a threat any time he stepped up to the plate, with 12 doubles, a triple and three home runs on the season. The junior powerhouse posted a .386 batting average with 27 hits, a team-high 35 RBIs and 24 runs scored. He also added 10 stolen bases and pitched 11.2 innings, where he struck out 15 and allowed a 4.20 ERA with three saves.

Tyler Mathiowetz, Sr., CF/P, St. Mary’s

Mathiowetz had his best season at the plate this year, batting .444 with 28 hits, 10 RBIs, 33 runs scored and a home run. He also stole 19 bases with five doubles. On the mound, Mathiowetz pitched 21 2/3 innings as one of the Knights’ go-to options, going 2-2 with 26 strikeouts and a 5.82 ERA while allowing 22 hits. Mathiowetz earned an All-Conference selection in his third year as a starter.

Adiel Trevino, Sr., 3B/SS/P, Springfield

Springfield’s cleanup hitter, Trevino batted .429 with six doubles, four triples and a home run this year. Trevino added 26 RBIs, 24 runs scored and 10 stolen bases in an All-Conference year. On the mound, the senior pitched 17.1 innings, striking out 13 with a 3.23 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.

Eli Anderson, Jr., C/P, Cathedral

From behind the plate and on the mound, Anderson was one of the Greyhounds’ top players during his junior campaign. He posted a .375 batting average with 27 hits, 23 RBIs, 21 runs scored, two doubles, two triples, a homer and 21 stolen bases without being caught once. Anderson went 4-1 with a 2.36 ERA on the mound, an area head coach Alan Woitas saw as Anderson’s biggest improvement. Anderson was also an All-Tomahawk player this year.

Zach Hubbard, Sr., OF, New Ulm

Hubbard led the Eagles in hits this year, racking up 33 with a .375 batting average. The all-around senior star added seven doubles, two triples, 18 RBIs and 19 runs scored with 17 stolen bases in an All-Conference season.

Nathan Schauer, Jr., P/3B, Sibley East

Sibley East’s team captain, Schauer was an All-Conference and All-Section player this year, going 5-2 as a pitcher with a 1.18 ERA, 51 strikeouts and just over a 1 WHIP. He also posted a .284 batting average with 14 RBIs, 14 runs scored and a home run.

Landry Folkens, So., P/3B, St. Mary’s

Folkens served as St. Marys’ ace this year, pitching 52 innings and striking out 67 batters while allowing just 30 hits and a 2.02 ERA. He went 7-2 on the mound, including a win over second-seeded Springfield in the section tournament. The sophomore also had a strong year at the plate, collecting 22 hits, five doubles, 17 RBIs and 20 runs scored with a .297 average. He also earned his first All-Conference selection this season.

Elijah Rieser, Sr., OF, Cathedral

Rieser wrapped up his senior campaign with the team’s highest on-base percentage (.564), getting on with 32 hits, 20 walks and five hit by pitches. The All-Tomahawk standout also had a .421 batting average to go with 36 runs scored, 19 RBIs, four doubles, three triples, a homer and 21 stolen bases. His ability to find gaps in the outfield with his bat also helped him lead the team in slugging percentage (.592). For his career, Rieser hit .376 with 56 hits and 38 RBIs in 59 games.

Owen Swenson, Sr., C/P, GFW

Swenson ends his career as one of the top baseball players in GFW history, tying the school record in career hits (80) while finishing second in career doubles (19) and third in career stolen bases (36). This year, Swenson had a .418 batting average with 28 hits, seven doubles, 11 RBIs and 21 runs scored with 12 stolen bases, never getting caught stealing. The five-tool player was an All-Conference selection this year.

HONORABLE MENTION

Kaden Rieke, Jr., P/1B/SS, GFW (.440 BA, 22 hits, 15 RBIs; 40 Ks, 5.57 ERA)

Carson Schmidt, Jr., LF/P/3B, Sibley East (.397 BA, 31 hits, 11 RBIs, 24 steals)

Jack Burns, Jr., P/SS, Wabasso (.303 BA, HR; 31Ks, 1.74 ERA)

Connor Bode, Sr., SS/P, MVL (.333 BA, 29 steals; 22Ks, 2.50 ERA)

Bryce Borkenhagen, Jr., UT, Madelia (.366 BA, 37 hits, 34 RBIs, 30 runs)