All-Area Baseball teams

Eds. note: The Herald’s All-Area teams and Player of the Year are selected by Herald staff based on first-hand observations and voting by area coaches and fans.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Trever Morrison

Sr., SS, Archbishop Murphy

To read more on Morrison, click here.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Bill Hummel, Meadowdale

After an up-and-down regular season for his young Mavericks, Hummel led them on an improbable run to the state tournament, including upset wins over Marysville Pilchuck and Glacier Peak in the district tournament.

ALL-AREA TEAMS

First Team

Pitchers

Sam Boone

Sr., Shorewood

The Thunderbirds ace won 10 games, had a 1.05 earned-run average and struck out 60 batters in 60 innings to lead the Thunderbirds to a Wesco 3A South title. The junior also had a 1.10 walks/hits per inning pitched and was named first-team All-Wesco.

Coaches comment: “Sam had a great year and became a complete pitcher this year. He was able to throw a lot of quality strikes.” — Wyatt Tonkin

Derrick Mahlum

Sr., Archbishop Murphy

The Wildcats right-hander finished 11-1 with a 0.79 ERA and 90 strikeouts to lead Archbishop Murphy back to the Class 2A state semifinals. Mahlum also recroded five complete games and three shutouts and was named first-team All-Cascade Conference.

Coach’s comment: “He was so consistent all year long. He kept us in every game when he was on the mound. He was 17-1 over two years, which is remarkable.” — Stan Taloff

Tanner Braun

Sr., Glacier Peak

The Grizzlies right-hander went 5-2 and had an earned-run average of 2.13 this season but he saved possibly his best performance for one of the most important games of the season. Braun tossed a complete-game one-hitter to lead the Grizzlies to a 10-1 win over Wesco 3A South champ Shorewood to earn the final state berth from District 1. Braun also hit .338 and knocked in 11 runs.

Coach’s comment: “Tanner Braun was the catalyst for our team both on the mound and at the plate. He was one of the best leaders I’ve ever coached.” — Bob Blair

Catcher

Michael Mazza

Sr., Cascade

The Bruins backstop hit .400 and had an on-base percentage of .510 to lead Cascade to a third-place finish at districts and a berth at state. He scored 27 runs, knocked in 28 and had 12 doubles, all while playing strong defense behind the plate. According to coach Scott Stencil, Mazza started every varsity game (91 in a row) since he was a freshman.

Coach’s comment: “In addition to his impressive offensive statistics, he is also a great defensive catcher … He is one of the hardest workers I have had at Cascade since I started coaching here.” — Stencil

First baseman

Jorgen Arnesen

Sr., Edmonds-Woodway

The Warriors’ lanky lefty hit .323 and also had 10 extra-base hits to lead E-W to a Wesco 4A South title. He also knocked in 15 runs as the Warriors’ four-hole hitter.

Coach’s comment: “He always competes and is a great teammate and came up with some big hits for us.” — Dan Somoza

Infield

Russell Crippen

Sr., Snohomish

The Panthers third baseman hit .405, posted a .608 slugging percentage and stole 20 bases to lead Snohomish to a first-place finish in the Wesco 4A North. He also had an 1.90 ERA and 44 strikeouts as a pitcher. Crippen is headed to play college baseball at Abilene Christian University.

Trever Morrison

Sr., Archbishop Murphy

The Wildcats shortstop hit .523 and led the Cascade Conference with five home runs to help Murphy return to Yakima and earn a third-place finish at the Class 2A state tournament. He also had 11 doubles and 28 stolen bases and was named the Cascade Conference Player of the Year.

Coach’s comment: “He’s a great leadoff guy. He’s able to put the ball down, drag bunt and get on base. He can hit the balls into gaps. As a leadoff hitter in high school, he hit five home runs just this year. He could have hit third or fourth because he has power as well.” — Stan Taloff

Kyle Nobach

Sr., Marysville Pilchuck

The Tomahawks second baseman was a leader at the plate and in the field for an MP team that finished first in the Wesco 3A North. Nobach had six doubles, two triples and two home runs but his steal of home for the game-winning run against Oak Harbor in the district tournament epitomized Nobach’s aggressive style.

Outfield

Joakim Soderqvist

Sr., Jackson

The Timberwolves outfielder hit .415, had a .692 slugging percentage and posted an on-base percentage of .562 to lead Jackson to a second-place finish at districts. He also stole 15 bases, had five triples and played strong defense in center field for the Timberwolves.

Coach’s comment: “He was best in the big games and was like a player-coach for our team. His stats don’t tell how good he is. He made play after play in center field.” — Kirk Nicholson

KJ Brady

Jr., Cascade

The Bruins outfielder hit .321, scored 30 runs and hit five triples to lead Cascade to the state quarterfinals. The University of Washington commit also had 16 RBI, seven stolen baseas and an on-base percentage of .486.

Coach’s comment: “K.J. did a great job this year consistently getting on base as our leadoff hitter. He was patient and willing to take walks … He had a tremendous year and I am looking forward to having him back for his senior season.” — Scott Stencil

Cameron Sterne

Sr., Shorewood

The Thunderbirds outfielder hit .385 and led his team with 28 runs scored and three home runs as the Shorewood took first place in the Wesco 3A South.

Coach’s comment: “Cameron was our captain and leader, played extremely well definsevly and was a speedy dangerous hitter.” — Wyatt Tonkin

Utility

Hunter Bingham

Sr., Monroe

The Bearcats outfielder hit .301 and slugged .466 in the No. 3 hole and played every outfield position, committing only one error all season for the Bearcats, who shocked Cascade in the district tournament after finishing in third place in the Wesco 4A North. Bingham finished the season with 10 doubles.

Coach’s comment: “Hunter is an excellent teammate, young man, and student, any recognition is well deserved for Hunter.” — Eric Chartrand

Designated hitter

Austin Holmes

Sr., Edmonds-Woodway

As the Warriors DH and leadoff hitter, Holmes hit .356, had a .449 on-base percentage and scored 13 runs to lead E-W to a first-place finish in the Wesco 4A South.

Coach’s comment: “Austin was our leadoff hitter and one of our hardest workers. He hit the ball hard all year long and was constantly on base for us.” — Dan Somoza

Second Team

Pitcher

Branden Kelliher, Jr., Lake Stevens

Stats: 51 IP, 8-2 record, 2.61 ERA, 83 Ks

Coach’s comment: “Branden was a real leader for us this year, on the mound, in the field and at the plate. People usually just talk about his pitching, especially his fastball, but he really filled a big hole for us this year as a cleanup hitter and as a middle infielder.” — Rodger Anderson

Alec Kisena, Sr., Jackson

Stats: 50 IP, 50 Ks, 1.24 ERA

Coach’s comment: “I gave him the ball in all the big games and he was great. He was the winning pitcher vs Snohomish in a 10-inning battle that he pitched all 10 innings.” — Kirk Nicholson

Cody Anderson, Jr., Marysville Pilchuck

Stats: 5 wins, 0.42 ERA, 39 Ks

Dominic DeMiero, Jr., Mountlake Terrace

Catcher

Alex Galgano, Sr., Archbishop Murphy

Stats: .388 avg., .642 slug, 9 doubles, 2 HR, 8 SB

Coach’s comment: “A power hitter with explosive hands at the plate.” — Stan Taloff

First baseman

Ian Hughes, Sr., Kamiak

Stats: .340 avg., 21 RBI, 2 grand slams, 0 errors, 12 HBP

Coach’s comment: “Slick fielding, power hitting first baseman who was our leader on offense in almost every category. Spent the whole season at first base with no errors and 143 put-outs. Great all around kid.” — Steve Merkley

Infield

Branson Barnecut, Jr., Glacier Peak

Stats: .378, 14 RBI, 13 2B, 1 HR

Coach’s comment: “Branson Barnecut was our best player this year. I would guess that he was the player on our team that other coaches worried about the most.”— Bob Blair

Alex Hull, Sr., Edmonds-Woodway

Stats: .373 avg., 12 doubles, 11 SBs, 14 RBI

Coach’s comment: “He hustles on every play and was an outstanding defensive shortstop and hitter for us in the three hole.” — Dan Somoza

Haakon Lande, Jr., Snohomish

Stats: .344 avg., .500 slug, 22 RBI, 2 HR, 6 SB

Jay Leverett, Sr., Sultan

Stats: .473 avg., 4 HR, 16 extra-base hits

Coach’s comment: “Despite easily being the best player on the team, he is a great teammate. He encourages everyone and picked up his teammates whenever they made a mistake on the field.” — Scott Sifferman (Sultan athletic director)

Outfield

Sean Elledge, Sr., Glacier Peak

Stats: .390, 12 RBI, 5 2B, 3 3B

Coach’s comment: “Sean Elledge is a phenomenal athlete. Coming back to baseball after a three-year layoff he did not miss a beat. His competitiveness and intensity played a key role in our success this season.” — Bob Blair

Jake Luton, Jr., Marysville Pilchuck

Tyler McGuire, Sr., Meadowdale

Stats: .358 avg., 25 runs, 6 doubles, 15 SB; 0 errors in CF

Coach’s comment: “He played a flawless center field, starting all 25 games there and committing zero errors.” — Bill Hummel

Utility

Alex Baumgartner, Jr., Jackson

Stats: 339 avg. .484 slug, .446 on base

Designated hitter

Ben Dmochowsky, So., Snohomish

Stats: .288 avg., .455 slug, 8 doubles, 1 HR, 12 RBI, three game-winning hits

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.