TRI-CITY AREA —From start to finish, these players set the standard for excellence with their play out on the diamond.
Here is a look at who made the 2021 edition of the Tri-City Times All-Area baseball squad and the numbers they posted en route:
Nolan Idyle, Almont
Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher/shortstop
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Idyle posted a 6-0 mark, with a 1.30 ERA, this past spring.
He registered 21 strikeouts along the way.
Batting average: Idyle furnished a .377 average, thanks to 19 singles, three doubles. three triples and one home run in 69 at bats. His level of plate proficiency was second best on the Almont ballclub and fourth among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 21 RBI, 19 runs and 11 stolen bases to Almont’s cause.
Postseason honors: Idyle wrapped up his third season on Almont’s squad as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team selection.
In addition to that, Idyle secured All-District status for his prowess an infielder.
Landon Kruse, of Almont, looks to tag out a runner on a close play at the plate this season.
Reis Stine, Almont
Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher/first base
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Stine put together a 7-1 record, including a 1.36 ERA, during the 2021 campaign.
He struck out 40 batters en route.
Batting average: Stine wound up fifth on the Almont squad and eighth out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .312 average.
He collected 17 singles, two doubles and one home run in 65 at bats.
Stine also provided Almont with 20 RBI and 15 runs scored.
Postseason honors: He concluded his third season with Almont’s varsity as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention choice.
In addition to that, Stine was named to the All-District lineup for his play at first base.
Brandon Hunsaker, Almont
Year: Junior
Position: Pitcher/third base/first base
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Hunsaker amassed a 5-3 mark, with a 1.15 ERA, this past spring.
He registered 72 strikeouts along the way.
Batting average: Hunsaker supplied a .391 average. thanks to 21 singles and six doubles in 69 at bats. His level of plate proficiency was best on the Almont ballclub and third among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 22 RBI, 10 runs and two stolen bases to Almont’s cause.
Postseason honors: Hunsaker ended his third season on Almont’s squad as an All-Blue Water Area Conference and All-District first team pick.
Zack Dingwell, Imlay City
Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Dingwell managed a 4-5 record, including a 3.35 ERA, during the 2021 campaign.
In 48 innings of work, Dingwell gave up 50 hits, struck out 50 and walked 13.
Batting average: Dingwell placed first on the Imlay City squad and second out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .397 average.
He furnished 21 singles, one double and one triple in 58 at bats.
Dingwell also provided Imlay City with 14 runs, 11 stolen bases, 10 walks and nine RBI.
Postseason honors: He concluded his second season on Imlay City’s varsity as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team choice.
Dylan Ledford, Dryden
Year: Sophomore
Position: Pitcher/shortstop and leftfield
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Ledford furnished a 4-5 mark, with a 3.06 ERA, this past spring.
He registered 90 strikeouts along the way.
Batting average: Ledford supplied a .451 average. thanks to 17 singles and six doubles in 51 at bats. His level of plate proficiency was best on the Dryden ballclub and among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 24 runs, 15 RBI and 10 stolen bases to Dryden’s cause.
Postseason honors: Ledford completed his initial season on Dryden’s squad as an All-North Central Thumb League Stars Division first team selection.
Landon Kruse, Almont
Year: Senior
Position: Catcher
Batting average: Kruse took ninth on the Almont squad and 13th out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .255 average.
He had 13 singles and one double in 67 at bats.
Kruse also provided Almont with 13 RBI, eight runs scored and three stolen bases.
This was his second season on Almont’s varsity.
Kylar Fisher, Almont
Year: Junior
Position: Second base/third base
Batting average: Fisher generated a .284 average, thanks to 13 singles, four doubles, one triple and one home run in 67 at bats. His level of plate proficiency was eighth best on the Almont ballclub and 11th among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 17 RBI, scored nine runs and stole one base.
Postseason honors: Fisher completed his second season on Almont’s squad as an All-District selection as a utility player.
Blake Cody, Almont
Year: Senior
Position: Second base
Batting average: Cody ranked seventh on the Almont squad and 10th out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .306 average.
He had 13 singles, one double and one triple in 49 at bats.
Cody also provided Almont with 11 runs scored, six RBI and two stolen bases.
This was his second season on Almont’s varsity.
Brenden Haldeman, Almont.
Year: Senior
Position: Leftfield
Batting average: Haldeman managed a .375 average, thanks to 20 singles, three doubles and one triple in 64 at bats. His level of plate proficiency tied for third best on the Almont ballclub and tied for fifth among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 24 runs scored, 15 RBI and one stolen base to Almont’s cause.
Postseason honors: Haldeman ended his second season on Almont’s squad as an All-Blue Water Area Conference and All-District first team choice.
Donovon Galovich, Almont.
Year: Senior
Position: Leftfield
Batting average: Galovich pulled up tied for third on the Almont squad and tied for fifth out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .375 average.
He had 24 singles, three doubles, two triples and one home run in 80 at bats.
Galovich also provided Almont with 23 runs scored, 13 RBI and six stolen bases.
Postseason honors: He concluded his second season with Almont’s varsity as an All-District pick and All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention.
Ben Laskowski, Capac.
Year: Senior
Position: Outfield
Batting average: Laskowski posted a .333 average, thanks to 13 singles, four doubles and two triples in 57 at bats. His level of plate proficiency was third best on the Capac ballclub and seventh among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 18 RBI, scored 13 runs, waited out six walks and was hit by a pitch once.
Postseason honors: Laskowski ended his third season on Capac’s varsity as an All-District first team pick and an All-Greater Thumb Conference East second team selection.
Charlie Koenig, Almont.
Year: Senior
Position: Rightfield
Koenig amassed a .308 average, thanks to 15 singles and one double in 52 at bats. His level of plate proficiency was sixth best on the Almont ballclub and ninth among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also contributed 15 runs scored, eight RBI and seven stolen bases to Almont’s cause.
This was his second season on Almont’s varsity.
Dylan Brecht, Capac.
Year: Senior
Position: Outfield
Batting average: Brecht registered a .266 average, thanks to 15 singles and two doubles in 64 at bats. His level of plate proficiency tied for fifth best on the Capac ballclub and 12th among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees.
He also provided Capac with 13 runs, eight walks and six RBI.
Postseason honors: Brecht wrapped up his second season Capac’s varsity as an All-Greater Thumb Conference East second team choice.
Second team- Jared Fahley, Capac, pitcher/catcher/ infield; David Pearl, Capac, catcher/infield; Charlie Fliedner, Dryden, catcher/second base; Dakota Sandzik, catcher, Imlay City; Reed Hall, Dryden, shortstop/second base; Danny Parski, Capac, infield; Marty Barker, Dryden, centerfield/leftfield; Reed Hall, Dryden, shortstop/second base; Josh Schornak, Dryden, shortstop/leftfield, centerfield; Xander Nolin, Imlay City, infield; and Ricky Guerrero, Imlay City, third base.
For directing Almont to a 21-8 overall record, a district title and an 11-3 Blue Water Area Conference mark (good for second place), Shane Campbell earns Tri-City Times All-Area Coach of the Year accolades.
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
