Player of the Year

Hunter Gudde, Free State

Gudde was dominant on the mound all season, setting a school record with his perfect 10-0 record. The 6-foot-1 junior also posted a 0.82 ERA and walked just seven hitters in 60 innings pitched. The first-team all-state pitcher was also strong at the plate, batting .368 with 25 hits and a team-high 22 RBIs, helping the Firebirds to a state championship.

Coach of the Year

Mike Hill, Free State

Hill led the Firebirds to their second 6A state title in school history, earning 6A Coach of the Year honors from the Kansas Baseball Coaches Association. Free State returned to state for the first time in five years.

The 2015 Journal-World All-Area Baseball Team, top row, from left: player of the year Hunter Gudde, Free State; Ben Brungardt, Baldwin; Sam Carver, Ottawa; and Andy Dougan, Wellsville; and bottom row, from left, Tony Dougan, Wellsville; Luis Rodriguez, Oskaloosa; and Joel Spain, Free State. Not pictured: Tyler Garrison, Mill Valley; Casey Hearnen, Free State; Michael Sinks, Lawrence; and coach of the year Mike Hill, Free State.

First team

Ben Brungardt, Baldwin

A center fielder and left-handed pitcher, Brungardt led the Bulldogs with a .406 batting average and a 4-1 record on the mound. He tossed four complete games, owning a 2.16 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched. He earned first-team all-state honors, adding 26 hits and 16 stolen bases.

Sam Carver, Ottawa

Carver broke school records with nine wins and 57 1/3 innings pitched this season. A Coffeyville Community College signee, he led the Cyclones to 16-6 record and a spot in the Class 4A-I state tournament. In the regional final, the first-team all-state selection allowed only one hit in nine innings.

Andy Dougan, Wellsville

A three-year starter, the Eagles’ junior hit .528 this season with 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored. He helped WHS take second places in the 3A state tournament, its sixth straight appearance at state. The first-team all-state pick added six doubles and 11 stolen bases.

Tony Dougan, Wellsville

Dougan stepped up in big situations for the Eagles all season long. The junior shortstop led the team with a .556 batting average, 37 runs, 10 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBIs. He earned second-team all-state honors.

Tyler Garrison, Mill Valley

A three-year starter for the Jaguars, Garrison hit .516 with 32 hits, eight doubles and 21 RBIs this season, leading Mill Valley to a 17-4 record. He was selected first-team all-state and will play for Iowa Western Community College next year.

Casey Hearnen, Free State

A first-team all-state selection, Hearnen thrived as the Firebirds’ closer. He set a single-season school record with seven saves, had a 4-2 record and owned a 0.95 ERA. The Firebirds senior struck out 41 hitters and walked nine in 37 innings.

Luis Rodriguez, Oskaloosa

Rodriguez led the Bears to a 12-8 record this season, batting .467 with 28 hits, seven doubles, six home runs and 21 RBIs. The three-time all-state selection at third base posted a team-best .562 on-base percentage and scored 27 runs.

Michael Sinks, Lawrence

A first-team all-stater, the LHS shortstop was the team’s leader at the plate and in the field. Sinks led the Lions with a .460 batting average, 29 hits, six doubles, six triples and 15 RBIs. He will play for Palomar College in California next season.

Joel Spain, Free State

A speedy center fielder, Spain was the catalyst for the Firebirds’ lineup. A first-team all-state pick, he hit .392 with a team-best 29 hits and 22 stolen bases. The Cowley County Community College signee added two doubles and 14 RBIs while making difficult catches look easy in the outfield.

Honorable mention

Spencer Bessette, Santa Fe Trail; Mitchell Bond, Perry-Lecompton; Aaron Foster, Eudora; Weston Gloss, Santa Fe Trail; Zach Hanna, Mill Valley; Greyson Jenista, De Soto; Dayne Jung, Ottawa; Tate Jung, Ottawa; Cooper Karlin, Free State; Jared Klamm, Wellsville; Daonte Lowery, Lawrence; Trevor Munsch, Free State; Bailey Pattin, Perry-Lecompton; Luke Rachwal, Mill Valley; Brock Randels, Baldwin; Jon Saathoff, Free State; Justin Sharp, Oskaloosa; Trent Smith, Wellsville; Cody Vandervord, Santa Fe Trail; Hayden Yancey, Ottawa.