The Journal-World's 2017 All-Area baseball team, from left, Peyton Garvin, Eudora; Tristan Damme, Perry-Lecompton; Josh Craig, Baldwin; Adam Carlson, Baldwin; Player of the Year Zion Bowlin, Free State; Dale Miller, Free State; Daniel Bryant, Free State; Nate Strathman, Free State; Devin Lauts, Lawrence; Tucker Flory, Veritas Christian.

Player of the Year: Zion Bowlin, Free State

A dangerous hitter in the middle of the Firebirds’ batting order, Bowlin was named the Class 6A Player of the Year by the Kansas Baseball Coaches Association. The senior third baseman, committed to Hutchinson Community College, recorded a .461 batting average with six doubles, four triples, 22 runs and 24 RBI.

Coach of the Year: Mike Hill, Free State

Guiding the Firebirds to a 15-7 record and third place in the Sunflower League, Hill won the 300th game of his career as the only coach in program history.

First team

Daniel Bryant, Free State — A speedy senior outfielder, Bryant was selected second-team all-Sunflower League after posting a .353 batting average. Headed to Baker University, Bryant was one of the team’s leaders with 24 hits and 24 runs scored.

Adam Carlson, Baldwin — The versatile infielder hit .429 in his senior season with 27 hits, 13 RBI, 17 runs and 10 stole bases. Earning second-team all-state honors as a utility player, the Morningside College signee recorded a 3.72 ERA on the mound and struck out 21 batters in 20-2/3 innings.

Josh Craig, Baldwin — Selected as a first-team all-Frontier League outfielder, Craig battled through a back injury on his way to a .383 batting average with 14 runs, 13 walks and eight stolen bases. A strong pitcher, he had a 3-4 record with a 4.43 ERA and 36 strikeouts.

Tristan Damme, Perry-Lecompton — Leading the Kaws to a 10-10 record, the senior first baseman had a team-best .400 batting average. At the plate, Damme registered 20 hits, seven runs scored and a team-high 12 RBI.

Tucker Flory, Veritas — A talented hitter and pitcher, Flory posted a .431 batting average with 25 hits, one home run, 17 RBI and 19 runs. The 6-foot-3 sophomore had a 2.63 ERA on the mound with a 3-2 record and 41 strikeouts in 24 innings pitched.

Peyton Garvin, Eudora — The junior outfielder was a second-team all-Frontier League selection for leading the Cardinals to their Class 4A-I sub-state title game and a 9-9 record. Along with his skills at the plate, Garvin was among the team’s top pitchers.

Devin Lauts, Lawrence — Lauts, a junior first baseman and right-handed pitcher, provided a strong presence in the middle of the Lions’ batting order. Helping his team to a 9-13 record, Lauts was one of the most reliable pitchers by the end of the season.

Dale Miller, Free State — An all-state left-handed pitcher, Miller led the Firebirds with a 2.15 ERA and 7-2 record in 52 innings pitched. Miller, a first baseman when he wasn’t on the mound, was equally dominant at the plate, hitting .349 with four triples, two home runs and 23 RBI.

Nate Strathman, Free State — Strathman earned all-state honors for his contributions as a relief pitcher where he recorded two saves and a 2.05 ERA in 13-2/3 innings. A first-team all-Sunflower League pick as a second baseman, the senior hit .413 with seven doubles.

Logan Woods, Tonganoxie — After leading the Chieftains throughout the season, the senior infielder received second-team all-Kaw Valley League honors. Woods was among the team leaders in batting average and hits.

Honorable mention

Isaac Christman, Perry-Lecompton; Aaron Funk, Free State; David Hornberger, Eudora; Jacob Pavlyak, Free State; Austin Quick, Lawrence; Jackson Rau, Veritas; Andrew Stewart, Lawrence; Khalil Thrasher, Eudora.