Firebirds named all-state baseball

Six Free State High baseball players earned Class 6A All-State honors from the Kansas Association of Baseball Coaches after leading their team to the state title game for the second straight season.

Free State senior pitcher Hunter Gudde, junior third baseman Zion Bowlin and junior outfielder Jacob Pavlyak were named first-team all-state. Senior pitcher Trevor Munsch and junior pitcher Aaron Funk were selected for the second team, and senior second baseman Mikey Corbett received an honorable mention.

Eudora High senior Zach Courbat was named the Class 4A-I Pitcher of the Year. Along with Courbat, Jared Fry (designated hitter) was picked for the first team, and senior outfielder Ben VanDiest was chosen for the second team. Eudora’s Khalil Thrasher (outfield) and De Soto’s Cooper Lee (utility) earned an honorable mention.

Ottawa junior Blaine Ray (outfield) was a first-team all-state pick in 4A-I, while junior Zach Curry (pitcher) and sophomore Kaleb Schaffer (third base) were placed on the second team.

In 4A-II, Santa Fe Trail seniors Brian Hawkins (catcher) and Seth Coltrane (outfield) were selected for the first team.

Wellsville senior Seth Breithaupt (outfield) earned first-team honors in 3A, and senior Tony Dougan (closer), along with Oskaloosa senior Dalton VanHoutan (pitcher) were picked for the second team.