The high school baseball season saw strong performances from several players on each team in the area.
Here is a look at who was selected for the Holland Sentinel All-Area Baseball Team, led by the player of the year.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ethan Campbell
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Pitcher/first base
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .422 with .483 on-base percentage. On the mound, went 7-1 with 92 strikeouts in 47 1/3 innings. ERA of 1.03. Pitched a no-hitter.
COACH’S VIEW: “Ethan was our horse on the mound this year. We knew each time he took the mound we could beat anyone. He is a powerful left hander with tremendous off speed and mid to high 80s fastball. We are so lucky to have his work ethic, attitude and skill as a part of our program. He works at his craft and has been a great teammate all year. He also led our team in batting average and was a very tough out in our two slot all season. He was phenomenal hitting for both power and average and handling the bat with great bunts. We can not wait to see what he can do in his senior year campaign next season.” – Matt Sattler
ALL-AREA FIRST TEAM
Abel Anaya
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Outfield
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Red. Hit .286 with 32 hits and 18 RBIs.
COACH’S VIEW: “Abel is a phenomenal athlete and four-sport star at West Ottawa. As a center fielder, he tracks down anything hit in his direction and the ball rarely hits the turf. He has a strong throwing arm from the outfield and also was super successful as a leverage pitcher in the late innings. He is one of the toughest and most respected players on the ballfield, which is why he was voted as one of our team captains. He is garnering interest to play at the next level in both baseball and football.” – Sean Bateman
Owen Brown
SCHOOL: Hamilton
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Shortstop
DIAMOND GEMS: First team all-conference and all-district. Hit .307 with 21 RBIS, 23 runs scored, 26 walks and 16 stolen bases. On-base percentage of .486. On the mound was 5-4 with a 3.44 ERA.
COACH’S VIEW: “Owen is a gritty ballplayer. He was the heart of our team. He’s the first one to show up and look for something that needs to be done. A true leader and we will greatly miss that leadership in the future.” – Brian Grabinski
Holden Burd
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Pitcher/infield
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in SAC and all-district. At the plate, batted .357 with 24 RBIs and 14 runs scored. On the mound was 3-1 with a 1.31 ERA, allowing just seven earned runs all season. He struck out 60 in 37 1/3 innings and walked just 11.
COACH’S VIEW: “We knew Holden would keep us in any game when he was on the mound. He is a strike thrower and gets outs. He also gives us a boost on the offensive end.” – Jaden Grigg
Jalen Cantu
SCHOOL: Holland
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Infield
DIAMOND GEMS: OK Black honorable mention and all-district. Set the school record for sacrifice hits. Batted .295 with .368 on-base percentage.
COACH’S VIEW: “Jalen overcame personal tragedy and a slow start to claim a bunch of post season accolades. He was our Senior leader, emotional leader, and MVP. We couldn’t have asked for more.” – Rory Vale
Peyton Davis
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Outfield
DIAMOND GEMS: First-team all-conference in OK Black. Batted .336 with a .455 on-base percentage.
COACH’S VIEW: “Peyton was a senior leader for us this season. He is the greatest competitor we had on our team. Peyton is the same person in the classroom, at practice and during games, always going 100 MPH trying to win. Peyton would run through a brick wall for his team if it would help them win. He is built with grit and hard work. Peyton anchored us in the lead off slot this season and centerfield. We would not be the same team without his leadership and skill. Peyton will be playing at Trine University next season and has a very bright future ahead of him.” – Matt Sattler
Ryan Kuzma
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Third base
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .390 with a .473 on-base percentage. Had 28 RBIs and 36 runs scored.
COACH’S VIEW: “Ryan will be playing baseball at Calvin next season. He is the epitome of a high level high school baseball player. He hits for both power and average, led our team in home runs and anchored 3b all season making tremendous plays. He leads with quiet confidence and is always working hard in everything he does. His hard work in the weight room, on the field and in the classroom have paid off and it shows with all of his success in all areas of his life. For everything Ryan has given us in his career on the field, he is an even better person. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to coach him.” – Matt Sattler
Nolan Lalonde
SCHOOL: Saugatuck
GRADE: Sophomore
POSITION: Catcher
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in SAC and all-district. Batted .453 with 21 RBIs and 24 runs scored. Stole 17 bases.
COACH’S VIEW: “Nolan made great strides from his freshman year to sophomore year. He gave us great innings behind the plate and was also great in the three-hole.” – Jaden Grigg
Logan Nash
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Outfield/pitcher
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .400 with a .481 on-base percentage. Had three home runs, 24 RBIs and 26 runs scored. On the mound, struck out 32 in 33 2/3 innings.
COACH’S VIEW: “Logan was our 3-hole staple, great athlete in CF and on the bases, power (3 HR) and a doubles machine (12). Great for us on the mound as well – starting big games and keeping other teams’ offenses at bay.” – Elijah Beckwith
Cayden Ortega
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Catcher
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Red and all-district. Hit .283 with 30 hits and 18 RBIs.
COACH’S VIEW: “Cayden was the heart and soul of our West Ottawa baseball team. He managed a pitching staff full of power pitchers and maintained a .1000 fielding percentage in conference play. He gunned down most of the base runners who attempted to steal with his quick and accurate release and you will not find a better receiving or blocking catcher in the area. His baseball IQ is second to none and after his junior season, he has many colleges showing interest.” – Sean Bateman
Jace Pyper
SCHOOL: Zeeland West
GRADE: Senior
POSITION: Shortstop
DIAMOND GEMS: Earned all-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .388 with a .459 on-base percentage. Had 38 hits, 20 RBIs and 28 runs scored.
COACH’S VIEW: “Jace signed with Northwood University. Fixture at SS for us, 2-hole, big at-bats all year – lead team in hits, runs, stolen bases, and low K guy (5 all year).” – Elijah Beckwith
Mason Raade
SCHOOL: Zeeland East
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Pitcher/catcher
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .406 with .488 on-base percentage. Had 35 RBIs and struck out just six times. Was 5-0 on the mound with 37 strikeouts and a 2.13 ERA in 36 innings.
COACH’S VIEW: “Mason anchored our lineup in the 4 slot all season. He is a true power hitter but does it while still hitting for average and limiting strikeouts (only 6 all year). He is a terrific defender both at first base and catching and was 5-0 on the mound. Mason continues to improve at all facets of the game and is very good at everything we ask of him. We are very lucky to have him in our program and back for one more season.” – Matt Sattler
Mason Sabala
SCHOOL: Fennville
GRADE: Sophomore
POSITION: Infield
DIAMOND GEMS: SAC all-conference honorable mention. Batted .342 with a 4.62 on-base percentage. Had 12 RBIs and 24 runs scored. Stole 14 bases.
COACH’S VIEW: “Mason was the leader or co-leader in six Offensive categories. He also had the best overall fielding percentage on the team while playing short and catcher. He’s our lead-off hitter and anchor in the field.” – Michael Cochran
Graham Tanis
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Third base/pitcher
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .398 with 35 hits, 13 runs scored and 10 RBIs. On the mound, had a 3.42 ERA and struck out 28.
COACH’S VIEW: “Graham is a strong silent leader that works hard for his team. He batted second in the lineup all year and was a tough out from the left side of the plate. On the mound he was fierce competitor pounding the strike zone and keeping our competition off balance. Our program is better for his leadership, and we look forward to having him for another season.” – Ben Smith
Bode VanHuis
SCHOOL: Holland Christian
GRADE: Freshman
POSITION: Second base
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Black and all-district. Batted .395 with 30 hits, 18 runs scored and seven RBIs.
COACH’S VIEW: “Bode is a hard worker and willing to take reps anywhere on the field to sharpen his game. He is a smart player who understands the game and plays it right. In the batter’s box he grinds out at bats which help lock him in as our leadoff hitter for most of the year. Our program is blessed to have him for three more years.” – Ben Smith
Solomon Wegmeyer
SCHOOL: West Ottawa
GRADE: Junior
POSITION: Pitcher
DIAMOND GEMS: All-conference in OK Red and all-district. Went 6-2 with 1.30 ERA. Pitched a no-hitter against Rockford and a one-hitter. Struck out 85 in 53 2/3 innings. At the plate, had 31 hits and 19 RBIs, batting .284.
COACH’S VIEW: “He is an imposing player on the mound and at the plate and is drawing major interest from D1 Program after a dominant junior campaign.” – Sean Bateman
ALL-AREA SECOND TEAM
Manny Bos, Holland
Marc Brower, Hamilton
Josiah Cuellar, West Ottawa
Jack Drummond, Saugatuck
Asher Folkert, Holland
Sebastian Gramek, West Ottawa
Caden Hunderman, Zeeland East
Josh Kuipers, Zeeland West
Seamus Lynch, Fennville
Braison Jones, Saugatuck
Zeek Ramadhani, Zeeland East
Dom Szczerowski, Zeeland West
Brady Sobota, West Ottawa
Jace Weber, Hamilton
Ryan Welscott, Hamilton
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Meet the Holland Sentinel All-Area Baseball Team led by Zeeland East’s Ethan Campbell
Reporting by Dan D’Addona, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dan D'Addona, Holland Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
