2012 Lawrence Journal-World All-Area Baseball Team, from left, Troy Willoughby, Lawrence High, CJ Roush, Lawrence High, Seth Steward, Oskaloosa, Sam Hearnen, Free State, player of the year Garrett Cleavinger, Lawrence High, coach of the year Shawn Herrmann, Ottawa, Tyler Moore, Mill Valley, Connor Goedert, Ottawa, Jacob Spring, Mill Valley, Kaden Shaffer, Ottawa.

Player of the year: Garrett Cleavinger, Lawrence

A University of Oregon signee, the left-handed ace played a critical role in the Lions’ 14-9 season that wrapped up with a march to the Class 6A state tournament. The first-team all-state pitcher threw a complete-game shutout for LHS in a regional playoff win and put together a masterful two-hit performance at state in a 1-0 loss against Blue Valley West ace Collin Wiles, who was drafted by the Texas Rangers.

Coach of the year: Shawn Herrmann, Ottawa

The Cyclones’ 21-5 record set a new program standard for most wins in a season. Herrmann’s OHS squad went 11-1 in Frontier League play to gain its second straight league crown before qualifying for the 4A state tournament and taking third place, with victories over Jeff West and Mulvane.

First team

Garrett Cleavinger, Lawrence — The senior Lions southpaw pitched 55 innings, striking out 74 batters, allowing 30 hits and 15 earned runs. Cleavinger compiled a 1.91 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and a 6-4 record for the season.

Connor Goedert, Ottawa — An all-state shortstop for OHS, Goedert’s .548 batting average helped him set school records with 46 hits and 46 runs. He finished the year with 32 RBIs, 10 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and a .649 on-base percentage.

Sam Hearnen, Free State — The junior right-handed pitcher became Free State’s go-to arm out of the bullpen. Hearnen finished the year with a 4-3 record and one save, earning second-team All-Sunflower League honors. He had a 3.18 ERA in 34 innings, with 20 strikeouts and allowed 26 hits and 15 walks.

Jared Ireland, Eudora — The Cardinals’ senior first baseman was a safe bet to reach base. Ireland went 36-for-70 on the season, good enough for a .514 batting average. He produced nine doubles, three triples, three home runs and drove in 43 runs for Eudora in his final season.

Tyler Moore, Mill Valley — The Jaguars’ senior catcher led the team with a .471 batting average as MVHS earned a berth in the 5A state tournament. Moore delivered 33 hits, nine doubles and 21 RBIs. Mill Valley opponents only stole three bases against the strong-armed catcher all season.

CJ Roush, Lawrence — Known best for covering ground in the outfield and racing around the base paths, the LHS senior center fielder earned first-team all-state honors. Roush finished his last year with the Lions hitting .422, with six doubles, three triples, a home run, 14 RBIs and 13 runs scored.

Kaden Shaffer, Ottawa — A junior infielder and relief pitcher for the Cyclones, Shaffer set a new program record with 38 RBIs while batting .391, with 36 hits, five doubles, two home runs and eight stolen bases. Shaffer had a 3-0 record as a reliever, with a 1.08 ERA in 13.1 innings of work.

Jacob Spring, Mill Valley — The senior cleanup hitter led the Jaguars (19-4) with a .917 slugging percentage and 29 RBIs, while batting .375 with nine doubles, four triples and three home runs. The sure-armed outfielder threw out three runners at home this year, and became the first MVHS player to earn first-team all-state honors.

Seth Steward, Oskaloosa — The junior Bears pitcher and first baseman proved to be a dual threat, putting together a great season for OHS. On the mound, Steward went 7-2 with a 2.45 ERA and 54 strikeouts. Offensively, he batted .474, with 27 hits, 31 RBIs and a pair of home runs.

Troy Willoughby, Lawrence — In his final season with the Lions, the senior made the 6A all-state second team as a shortstop and was an important part of the LHS pitching staff. At the plate, Willoughby hit .361, with four doubles, 14 RBIs and 13 runs scored. As a pitcher, he went 2-1 in 27 innings of work, allowing just five walks and seven runs, while striking out 28 and accumulating a 1.81 ERA.

Honorable mention

Aaron Ackerman, Santa Fe Trail; Hunter Burkhart, Baldwin; Tyler Cawley, Baldwin; Taylor Graf, Ottawa; Shane Levy, Tonganoxie; Zach Linquist, Perry-Lecompton; Greg Mason, Mill Valley; JD Prochaska, Free State; Bryce Stottlemire, Oskaloosa; Blade Wright, Santa Fe Trail.