Baseball Rewind All-Stars
Coach of the Year
John Waddle of Coon Rapids Bayard
Waddle continues to build strong baseball teams and 2024 was no different. The Crusaders won the Rolling Valley Conference, rolling through the league with a 12-0 record. He earned his 17th conference championship. They dominated most games in conference, winning all but four of them by 8-runs or more. They sent a message early in league play with a 9-1 win over Woodbine. Coach Waddle continues to challenge his team and prepare them for the postseason with strong non-conference foes. They battled Ankeny Christian, LoMa, Kuemper, Kee, Carroll, Algona, Newell Fonda, West Marshall, IKM-Manning, Bishop Garrigan, Alta-Aurelia, Woodbury Central and SE Valley in non-league games. The growth his team showed this season was impressive, sitting 9-8 midway through the season, they closed the season 13-4, making a run to the Substate final. Waddle had 845 wins in his time at CRB, only 2 active coaches have more wins than him and he ranks 13th on the all-time list.
Player of the Year
Cal Heydon of Coon Rapids Bayard
The sophomore won Rewind Player of the Year for a second straight season, somehow being more impressive than last season. Heydon continues to work hard on his skills, showing growth in the circle, at the plate and defensively at 1st base. Teams were concerned enough this season they intentionally walked him on a regular basis, at times making it look like it was intentional. Cal walked 39 times, nearly having a 4-1 walk to strikeout ratio. That didn’t keep him from racking up 19 doubles (21 singles), 2 triples and 4 home runs. He finished the season with 36 RBI, scoring 58-runs. His slugging percentage was .862 and his on-base-percentage was .650 while he batted .489. Most of his base hits this season were line drives sprayed all over the field. Heydon is an elite base runner, stealing 20-21 bases. He excelled on the hill, going 6-0, pitching 40 ⅓ innings, allowing 20 hits while striking out 89. His ERA was 1.91, having allowed 11 earned runs. Heydon continues to be elite on defense, finishing the season with 2 errors and a .987 fielding percentage on 152 chances.
1st Team
Pitchers
Cal Heydon of Coon Rapids Bayard
See his write-up under Player of the Year above
Kolby Culbertson of Coon Rapids Bayard
Culbertson was the ace for the Crusaders, pitching against the toughest teams on the schedule. He started every postseason game, including his third straight substate final. He threw 63 ⅔ innings, allowing 21 earned runs for a 2.31 ERA. Culbertson struck out 95 batters while walking 46. Kolby could throw five pitches for strikes and did an extremely good job moving the ball around in the zone. He hit the ball well all season, but couldn’t catch a break early as the ball tended to be right at the defense. As the season progressed he began to find gaps, finishing with a .277 average with 27 RBI and 49-runs scored. He doubled 7 times, had 3 triples and hit 4 home runs. Kolby led the team with 24 stolen bases and is an elite defender in centerfield.
Andrew Anderson of South Central Calhoun
The junior is a special baseball player, able to do everything well. He hit .484 this season with a .726 slugging percentage and a .610 on-base-percentage. Anderson finished his campaign with 8 doubles, 2 triples and took one deep for a home run, scoring 31-runs. The most impressive stat on his line this season was 3 strikeouts in 62 at-bats. Andrew tied for the team lead in stolen bases with 11. He went 3-0 on the hill, throwing 20 ⅔ innings, allowing 6 earned runs, finishing with a 2.03 ERA. He struck out 42 while walking 14. He added 2 saves in 9 appearances on the hill. Anderson patrols centerfield as well as anyone, finishing the year with a .944 fielding percentage on 36 chances with 2 errors. He threw out 3-runners from the outfield.
Stone Sibenaller of Carroll
Sibenaller was the ace for the Tigers, going 4-6 on the season with 12 appearances on the hill. His ERA was strong at 2.72, allowing only 21 earned runs in 54 innings pitched in one of the deepest and strongest leagues in the state. Stone struck 53 batters, walking 19. He finished the year with 2 doubles and a triple, scoring 10-runs for the Tigers. He got on base at a .430 clip, having a .354 slugging percentage.
1st Base
Mark Lensch of Glidden Ralston
Lensch wrapped up a terrific career with a strong season campaign. He was a tough out at the plate, finishing with a .373 batting average, a .627 slugging percentage and got on base at a .424 clip. He had power at the plate, hitting 4 doubles, a triple and drilling 3 home runs. He led the Wildcats in RBI with 14 in 21 games, and hits with 22. He was second on the team in runs scored. Lensch is one of the top defensive players in the area, making 1 error on 102 chances for a .990 fielding percentage.
2nd Base
Benicio Lujano of Kuemper
Lujano was healthier this season than last but still battled through nagging injuries. He finished the season batting .345 with 5 doubles and a home run. He drove in 27 RBI, leading the team and scored 21 runs. He has such a knowledge of the strike zone, striking out 8 times in 113 at-bats while walking 25 times. He was the guy the Knights wanted at the plate late in close games. He had a tendency to hit better in clutch situations. Benicio played several different places on the infield, filling in wherever the team needed him. He started at shortstop, 3rd base and 2nd base and plays at a high level, due to a high level of knowledge for the game.
3rd Base
Chase Ragaller of Carroll
Ragaller had a strong season for the Tigers, closing out a good career. He gave the Tigers a strong player at 3rd base, using a strong arm and great range to make a number of plays. Chase is strong with the bat, hitting .300 with a .432 on-base percentage and a .350 slugging percentage. Ragaller hit 3 doubles, driving in 15 RBI and 19-runs scored. His speed made him a threat on the basepaths, stealing 21 of 23 bases, leading the team by 7 stolen bases. He added depth on the hill, pitching 12 innings, striking out 7 and holding opponents to a .157 batting average.
Shortstop
Charlie Nattress of South Central Calhoun
Nattress followed up a strong freshman season with a stronger sophomore season. He finished the year hitting .368, driving in a team high 20 RBI. He has a great knowledge of the strike zone, striking out only 5 times in 76 at-bats. He’s a strong base runner, stealing 6 of 7 bases. Charlie tied for second on the Titans in wins on the hill, throwing 37 ⅓ innings, striking out 33 batters. He pitched in 9 games, making 5 starts.
Catcher
Jace Starman of IKM-Manning
Starman had one of the top seasons in the area this year, making the finalist list for Rewind Player of the Year. His power numbers were outstanding, hitting 10 doubles and 5 home runs. He drove in 27 RBI and scored 10-runs. His RBI total was nearly twice as many as anyone else on the Wolves. Starman had a .716 slugging percentage, a .505 on-base percentage, while hitting .432. Jace had a strong season defensively, throwing out 10 of 31 basesteals, finishing the season with a .949 fielding percentage. He added 24 ⅔ innings on the mound with a .227 ERA, making 7 appearances and 3 starts.
Outfielders
Ross Kusel of IKM-Manning
Kusel was tremendous in every aspect of the game this season. He hit .352 with a .464 on base percentage and a .440 slugging percentage. He was second on the Wolves in doubles with 8, and led them with 26-runs scored, adding 17 walks. Kusel was the area’s best baserunner, stealing 33 of 36 bases, nearly doubling the rest of the team. Kusel is a dynamite defensive player, ending the season with a .955 fielding percentage, making 2 errors in 44 total chances, adding 4 assists. Ross went 3-3 on the hill, pitching 30 ⅔ innings, allowing 13 earned runs for a 2.97 ERA.
Carter Putney of Kuemper
Putney battled through a slow start to again be one of the top outfielders and players in the area. He patrols centerfield, making tough plays look routine. He had 1 error on 86 total chances for a .988 fielding percentage. He added 10 assists and made teams think twice about taking an extra base. Carter finished the season hitting .289 with 10 doubles, 4 triples and 2 home runs. He drove in 20 RBI, scoring a team high 33-runs. Putney added 14 stolen bases, a team high, nearly twice as many as anyone else on the team. He pitched 37 innings, becoming one of the Knights top pitchers by the end of the season, earning a pair of wins in 9 appearances on the hill.
Jonathan Bergmeier of Glidden Ralston
Bergmeier was an elite player for Glidden Ralston this season, finishing second in batting average and doubles, leading them in runs scored and stolen bases. He was their most consistent pitcher, leading them in ERA. The junior hit .345, scored 12-runs, had 3 doubles and stole 13 of 14 bases. Bergmeier is a very strong outfielder, making 2 errors with a .956 fielding percentage, adding 5 assists with 38 put-outs. He went 2-1 on the hill, throwing 27 innings with 23 strikeouts. He made 9 appearances on the hill.
DH
Ryan North of Carroll
North had a huge season for the Tigers, hitting .366 with a .451 slugging percentage. He typically hit line drives, driving the ball into the gap. He had 3 doubles, added a pair of triples, helping him drive in 13 RBI. North walked as many times as he struck out, showing his knowledge of the strike zone. He led the Tigers with 20-runs scored. North is a strong defender, playing 2nd base and the outfield depending on who was pitching. He finished with a .900 fielding percentage, making 9 assists.
2nd Team
Pitchers
Tristan Janson of Kuemper
Janson became one of the Knights top pitchers as the season went on, finishing the season 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA. He pitched 28 innings, allowing 12 earned runs, striking out 22 batters. His competitiveness helped push him on the hill. He worked the ball around the zone and never backed down from big situations. He added 19 RBI with 5 doubles and scored 21 times.
Mason Knerl of Kuemper
Knerl became one of the aces for the Knights, earning 3 wins on the season. He pitched a team high 47 innings with a 4.02 ERA. He was second on the team with 33 strikeouts. Mason made 8 starts on the hill and 10 appearances. Knerl added 19 RBI with 25 hits this season, scoring 19 runs. His 25 walks were tied for second on the team. Mason was 7-9 in stolen bases.
Byce Summerfield of IKM-Manning
Summerfield kept hitters off balance this season, holding them to a .205 batting average, finishing with a 2.96 ERA. He tied for the team lead in wins with 3 and led them in innings pitched with 47 ⅓. Summerfield made 11 appearances on the hill, starting 8 games. Bryc hit .310 this season, driving in 12 RBI and scoring 16-runs. He was second on the team with 17 stolen bases in 17 attempts.
Max Shirbroun of Coon Rapids Bayard
Shirbroun added another strong pitcher for Coon Rapids Bayard, finishing the season 4-0. He pitched 28 ⅔ innings, making 3 starts but 9 appearances on the hill. His 3.42 ERA was fourth best on the team and his 1.59 WHIP also ranked fourth on the team. He understood coach Waddle’s desire to throw strikes, striking out 33 batters.
1st Base
Cooper Nattress of South Central Calhoun
He didn’t play like an 8th grader this season, handling one of the toughest positions on the field. He finished the season with a .961 fielding percentage, making 4 errors in 102 chances. He added a strong bat, hitting .368 with 3 doubles and 13 RBI. He added a .449 on-base percentage and slugged a .412 percentage. He added 6 stolen bases in 6 attempts.
2nd Base
Kaden Dorman of South Central Calhoun
Dorman had a very strong year at the plate, batting .429 with a .536 on-base percentage and a .482 slugging percentage. His 24 base hits ranked fourth on the team and his 3 doubles were tied for second as was his 19-runs scored. Dorman was a strong base runner, stealing 5 bases in 5 attempts.
3rd Base
Tyler Mohr of Coon Rapids Bayard
Mohr became an integral part of the Crusaders offense as the season went on. He moved into the third spot in the order, providing protection for Cal Heydon and Kolby Culbertson. He hit .283 this season with 2 home runs and 2 doubles, driving in 24 RBI. He walked 23 times and was hit-by-pitch 11 times. Mohr slid into the 3rd base role on defense, growing into a solid defender as the season went on.
Shortstop
Karter Ludwig of East Sac
Lugwig finished off a strong sports career with East Sac, putting together a good season for the Raiders. He hit .418 with a .568 on-base percentage and a .473 slugging percentage. Ludwig had a double and a triple, scoring 14-runs, tied for second on the team. He struck out 8 times while walking 10 times and getting hit-by-pitch 9 times. Ludwig led the Raiders with 39 ⅓ innings pitched. He made 11 appearances on the hill, with 9 starts.
Catcher
Brock Nattress of South Central Calhoun
Nattress supplied strong leadership for a young Titans team while playing strong behind the plate. He threw out 11 of 46 base steals, finishing the season with a .968 fielding percentage. His bat was one of the best in their lineup, hitting .333 with 11 RBI and 16-runs scored, third on the team. He tied for second in doubles with 3. Brock is a heady baserunner, stealing 8 of 9 bases.
Outfielders
Tate Schleisman of Carroll
Schleisman hit .320 for the Tigers, second on the team among regular starters. He added a .413 slugging percentage, hitting 3 doubles and 2 triples. Schleisman added 12 RBi and scored 19 times, tied for second on the team. He was walked and hit-by-pitch more times than he struck out. Tate was one of the Tigers better baserunners, stealing 11 of 13 bases. Schleisman had a .932 fielding percentage with only 3 errors.
Parker Hays of Coon Rapids Bayard
Hays was a key part of the offense early in the season and closed out the regular season and district games on a hot streak. He finished the year batting .303, using his tremendous speed to beat out bunts and infield singles. His on-base percentage ended the season at .457. He had 30 base hits and walked 24 times, scoring 29 times, third on the team. Hays added 28 RBI, tied for second on the team. Parker is one of the top base stealers, going 22 of 23. Hays patrolled left field, using his speed to track down fly balls, making a great catch against St Mary’s, Remsen in the Substate Final.
Brody Schultes of Audubon
The sophomore continues to show his baseball skills, hitting .384 and leading the Wheelers in RBI with 12. He added 3 doubles, helping him with a .419 slugging percentage. He ranked second on the Wheelers in stolen bases and was fifth in runs scored. Schultes is a strong defender, having 33 put-outs and 6 assists. He helped on the hill this season, pitching 13 innings with 11 strikeouts.
Designated Hitter
Bradyn Burns of East Sac
Burns had a strong season for the Raiders, hitting .379 with 25 base hits, including 3 doubles. His slugging percentage was .424 and his on-base percentage finished at .419. Burns paced the Raiders in RBI and tied for second on the team in runs scored. Bradyn went 1-0 on the hill, making 1 start and 6 appearances on the hill.
Utility
Lane Sams of IKM-Manning
Sams was quietly one of the key players for the Wolves this season, hitting .284 with 23 base hits. He was second on the team in RBI with 14, and runs scored with 24. Sams had a double and was one of two Wolves to hit a home run. He led the Wolves with 21 walks. He may have been most important in the field, moving between 2nd base and shortstop. He ended the year with a .930 fielding percentage and made several key plays for the Wolves in their postseason win over Exira-EHK. Sams added a pair of wins on the hill, throwing 7 innings in 6 appearances.
Honorable Mention
Carter Essick of Carroll
Essick became a strong catcher for the Tigers as the season went on, throwing out 13 of 54 base stealers, helping him finish with a .959 fielding percentage. He hit .284 with 12 RBI and 4 doubles, scoring 10-runs. His 23 base hits tied for third on the Tigers.
Jackson Gross of Carroll
The sophomore hit .307 this season, tying for the team lead with 15 RBI. His 23 base hits tied for third on the Tigers. Gross ended the year with a .467 slugging percentage, ending the season with 3 doubles, 3 triples and a home run. He added 5 stolen bases. Jackson went 2-1 on the hill, throwing 21 ⅓ innings, making 9 appearances on the hill.
Wyatt Ragaller of Ar-We-Va
Ragaller was the ace for the Rocket and had an ERA under 3.00 for most of the season, striking out 43 batters in 30 innings pitched. He held opponents to a .212 batting average, giving up 18 earned runs. When not on the hill, he battled behind the plate, throwing out 7 of 15 base stealers. Wyatt was 5-5 stealing bases.
Aaron Olsen of Audubon
Olen had a strong season for Audubon, hitting .337 with a .410 slugging percentage. Aaron was second on the team in hits with 28 including 4 doubles and a triple. His 11 RBI ranked second on the team and he led the team with 14-runs scored. He paced the team on the base paths, stealing 13 of 15 bases.
Ethan Loew of Kuemper
Loew was one of the Knights top offensive players all-season, finishing with a .336 batting average. He had 3 doubles and a triple, ending the year with 36 hits, second on the team. Ethan scored 20 times and drove in 15-runs. He added 39 innings on the mound, earning 3 wins.
