photo by: Journal-World Sports Staff

The Journal-World All-Area Teams.

Coach of the Year: Mike Hill, Free State High School

photo by: Matt Tait

Free State baseball coach Mike Hill, left, and his son, Matt, are now on the same coaching staff with the Firebirds, preparing to take FSHS into the 6A state tournament on Friday afternoon in Fort Scott in this 2022 photo.

Free State won the Sunflower League and the 6A state championship game with a 28-2 record. In the postseason, the Firebirds outscored their opponents 38-3, including 17-2 in the 6A state tournament.

Player of the Year: Eli Dean, Perry-Lecompton High School

Eli Dean

Dean, the 3A Player of the Year, finished his career with the Kaws batting .500 and was a first-team all-state middle infielder.

Austin Alvarez, Veritas Christian

Austin Alvarez

Alvarez was the Eagles’ catcher while also hitting toward the top of the lineup. Alvarez had an OBP of .446 on the season and led the Eagles in runs with 21.

Merek Davenport, Tonganoxie

photo by: Shawn Linenberger/Tonganoxie Mirror

Merek Davenport

Davenport was a second-team all-state pitcher for the Tonganoxie Chieftains. He threw 5.1 innings with five strikeouts and six hits allowed in the regional championship and 6.0 innings with four hits and four strikeouts in the Chieftains’ state tournament appearance.

Jagger Dey, Baldwin

Jagger Dey

Dey batted .411 as a senior catcher for the Baldwin Bulldogs with an on-base percentage of .566. He earned an all-state honorable mention nomination for his 30-hit season at catcher.

Ben Graves, Free State

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State junior Ben Graves yells in excitement as his teammates rush toward him after defeating Wichita Heights for the regional title on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Lawrence.

Graves, Free State’s closing pitcher, secured 10 saves as a junior and threw two strikeouts in the final inning to secure the state championship. When he wasn’t pitching, Graves was a first-team all-state middle infielder for the Firebirds.

Hudson Hardesty, Lawrence

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence first baseman Hudson Hardesty winds up to throw to the pitcher in a 6-3 loss to Deer Creek at Hoglund Ballpark on Thursday, April 24, 2025, in Lawrence.

Hardesty was Lawrence’s best starting pitcher with an ERA of 1.485 and a WHIP of 1.000. At the plate, he batted .312 while holding down first base as a sophomore.

Blaine Larkin, Free State

photo by: Sarah Buchanan/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Blaine Larkin pitches during a game against Wichita Heights on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Lawrence.

Larkin, one of Free State’s senior pitchers, earned second-team all-state honors while leading the Firebirds to a state championship. He threw 10.0 innings with six hits allowed and 18 strikeouts in the postseason.

James Lee, Veritas Christian

James Lee

Lee was a force at pitcher and batter for the Eagles, batting .448 while throwing with an ERA of .592 with a .718 WHIP. He led the Eagles in most offensive stats and was the team’s go-to pitcher in the biggest matchups.

Ryker Mahnke, Free State

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State sophomore Ryker Mahnke celebrates after the Firebirds’ score in the first inning of the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

Mahnke earned first-team all-state honors in his sophomore campaign as the center fielder for the state champion Firebirds. He had three hits in the state championship game and was the only Firebird to have multiple hits.

Zane Shaw, Free State

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State pitcher Zane Shaw throws to first after coming off the mound during the Firebirds’ state championship game against Shawnee Mission West on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

Shaw, a junior pitcher for the Firebirds, was one of the top starters for the state champion winners. In the postseason, he threw 13.0 innings with five hits allowed and 15 strikeouts. He was the winning pitcher in the state championship game.

Caige Starnes, Perry-Lecompton

Caige Starnes

Starnes, a senior, was a 3A first-team all-state and first-team Big East utility and set a season record for the Kaws in RBI with 52.

Andrew Zimmerschied, Free State

photo by: Kahner Sampson/Special to the Journal-World

Free State senior Andrew Zimmerschied is blasted with water as he hoists the state championship trophy on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Hoglund Ballpark in Lawrence.

Free State’s catcher earned first-team all-state honors his senior year. He had four hits across the five postseason games.

Honorable Mention: Brett Davidson (Baldwin); Brayden Decker (Eudora); Asher Lawson (Veritas Christian); Zac Marcouillier (Tonganoxie); Garrett Metcalfe (Perry-Lecompton); Ryder Nigh (Baldwin); Logan Sheldon (Lawrence); Brady Wollesen (Lawrence).