Times names All-Area baseball team

TRI-CITY AREA — From the opening pitch until the final out was registered, these athletes set themselves apart from the rest with their play out on the field.

Here is a look at who gained selection to the 2023 edition of the Tri-City Times All-Area baseball team and the numbers they generated along the way.

Matthew Redmond, Almont.

Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Redmond amassed a 5-5 mark, including a 1.11 ERA, during the 2023 campaign.

In 56 2/3 innings of work, Redmond allowed 35 hits, struck out 78 and walked 25.

Batting average: Redmond wound up 11th on the Almont ballclub and 14th among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .129 average

The senior provided Almont with two singles and two doubles in 31 at bats.

He also contributed four RBI and two runs scored to Almont’s cause.

Postseason honors: Redmond, who has signed with Rochester University, completed his second season at the varsity level as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team as well as All-District and All-Region selection.

Jason Lane, Almont.

Year: Sophomore
Position: Pitcher
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Lane put together a 5-1 record, featuring a 2.09 ERA, this past spring.

In 50 1/3 innings of work, Lane gave up 37 hits, struck out 55 and walked 24.

Batting average: The sophomore took first on the Almont squad and sixth out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .342 average.

Lane collected 24 singles and two doubles in 76 at bats.

He also provided Almont with 18 RBI, scored eight runs and was the recipient of five walks.

Postseason honors: Lane concluded his second season on Almont’s squad as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team choice and was an All-District selection.

Dylan Ledford, Dryden.

Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher/catcher/shortstop
Throws: Righthanded
Record: Ledford managed a 5-6 mark, including a 2.05 ERA, during the 2023 campaign.

In 65 innings of work, Ledford allowed 46 hits, struck out 139 and walked 31.

Batting average: Ledford pulled up first on the Dryden ballclub and among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .568 average.

The senior collected 37 singles, six doubles, two triples and one home run in 81 at bats.

He also contributed 41 runs, 30 stolen bases, 15 RBI and 15 walks to Dryden’s cause.

Postseason honors: Ledford finished his third season at the varsity level as an All-North Central Thumb League first team pick and was selected to the All-District and All-Region squads plus was named to the honorable mention portion of the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association squad as a utility player.

He also received his team’s MVP, Most Outstanding Offensive Player and Most Outstanding Pitcher Awards.

Derek Mason, Capac.

Year: Senior
Position: Pitcher/centerfield
Throws: Lefthanded
Record: Mason managed a 3-4 record, featuring a 2.90 ERA, this past spring.

In 31 1/3 innings of work, Mason gave up 18 hits, struck out 58 and walked 33.

Batting average: The senior placed first on the Capac squad and second out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .430 average.

Mason furnished 24 singles, 12 doubles, one triple and three home runs in 93 at bats.

He also contributed 24 runs, 24 RBI, 21 stolen bases and was the recipient of eight walks.

Postseason honors: Mason wrapped up his third season on Capac’s squad as an All-Greater Thumb Conference East first team selection, an All-District and All-Region choice as well as a Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association Division 4 All-State honorable mention pick.

Brendan Monville, Imlay City.

Year: Senior
Position: Catcher
Batting average: Monville ranked first on the Imlay City ballclub and fifth among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .358 average.

The senior provided 16 singles, two doubles, and a home run in 53 at bats.

He also contributed 15 runs, 11 RBI and 11 walks to Imlay City’s cause.

Postseason honors: Monville wrapped up his third season at the varsity level as an All-Blue Water Area Conference first team selection and an All-District choice.

Tyler Filinger, Almont

Year: Senior
Position: Catcher
Batting average: The senior placed third on the Almont squad and 12th out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .266 average.

Filinger generated 13 singles, five doubles, two triples and a home run in 79 at bats.

He also drew 17 walks plus collected 16 RBI and scored 16 runs.

Postseason honors: Fiinger completed his second season on Almont’s squad as an All-District choice and an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention pick.

Trenton Kruse, Almont

Position: Shortstop
Batting average: Kruse ranked sixth on the Almont ballclub and 13th among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .247 average.

The senior provided 15 singles, two doubles and a triple in 73 at bats.

He also contributed 15 RBI, drew 11 walks, scored 10 runs and stole six bases.

Kruse struck out just six times.

This was his second season on Almont’s varsity.

Tim Bochatyn, Capac.

Year: Senior
Position: Second base
Batting average: Bochatyn wound up second on the Capac ballclub and fourth among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .392 average.

The senior generated 25 singles and 13 doubles in 97 at bats.

He also contributed 21 runs, 21 RBI, drew seven walks and stole three bases.

Postseason honors: Bocahtyn wrapped up his third season at the varsity level as an All-Greater Thumb Conference East first team selection and was an All-District choice.

Mason Smith, Capac.

Year: Senior
Position: First base
Batting average: The senior took third on the Capac squad and seventh out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .341 average.

Smith had 21 singles, eight doubles and one triple in 88 at bats.

He also contributed 27 RBI, 23 runs, nine walks and eight stolen bases to Capac’s cause.

Postseason honors: Smith ended his second season on Capac’s squad as an All-Greater Thumb League East first team pick and an All-District selection.

Mason Stofcheck, Dryden.

Year: Junior
Position: First base
Batting average: Stofcheck placed second on the Dryden ballclub and third among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .393 average.

The junior supplied 27 singles and six doubles in 84 at bats.

He also contributed 25 RBI, 16 runs, 11 stolen bases and drew eight walks.

Postseason honors: Stofcheck concluded his third season at the varsity level as an All-District selection and All-North Central Thumb League Stars Division second team choice.

Luke Winkler, Almont.

Year: Sophomore
Position: Left field
Batting average: The sophomore took third on the Almont squad and 11th out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .300 average.

Winkler had 15 singles, seven doubles and two home runs in 73 at bats.

He also scored 26 runs, stole 18 bases, drew 16 walks and was the recipient of 16 walks.

This was his first year on Almont’s varsity.

Marty Barker, Dryden

Year: Senior
Position: Centerfield
Batting average: The senior placed third on the Dryden squad and tied for eighth out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .333 average.

Barker supplied 22 singles and two doubles in 72 at bats.

He also contributed 28 stolen bases, 25 runs, 21 walks and 12 RBI to Dryden’s cause.

Postseason honors: Barker ended his third season on Dryden’s squad as an All-District pick and an All-North Central Thumb League Stars Division second team selection.

Gio Marracco, Almont.

Year: Senior
Position: Centerfield
Batting average: Marracco placed second on the Almont ballclub and tied for eighth among Tri-City Times All-Area first team honorees with a .333 average.

The senior managed 18 singles, four doubles and a triple in 69 at bats.

He also contributed 15 runs, 13 stolen bases, 12 walks and 10 RBI to Almont’s cause.

Postseason honors: Marracco finished his second season at the varsity level as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention pick.

Sam Edson, Imlay City.

Year: Freshman
Position: Rightfield
Batting average: The freshman took second on the Imlay City squad and 10th out of those who attained Tri-City Times All-Area first team status with a .328 average.

Edson had 18 singles and one double in 58 at bats.

He also scored 15 runs, collected nine RBI and was the recipient of nine walks.

Postseason honors: Edson completed his first varsity season as an All-Blue Water Area Conference honorable mention selection.

Second team– Zach Langmesser, pitcher/shortstop/outfield, Capac; Brody Tesnow, pitcher/outfield, Capac; Ian Tresnak, pitcher/shortstop, Dryden; Jose Rodriguez, pitcher, third base, Capac; Wiley Roose, catcher/outfield, Capac; Owen Gall, catcher/second base, Dryden; Beau Hund, centerfield, Imlay City; and Sam Schneider, outfield, Capac.

Honorable mention– Cody Koval, third base, Almont; Liam Webster, second base, Almont; Connor Nascivera, first base, Almont; Caydon Nascivera, outfield, Almont; Max Koskodan, rightfield, Almont; Ayden Ferqueron, utility, Almont; and Zack Edson, third base, Imlay City.

Coach of the Year– For directing his team to a 20-14 overall mark, including a 7-5 Greater Thumb Conference East record for third place, Capac’s Nick Geliske earns Tri-City Times All-Area Coach of the Year accolades.

Shane Campbell, who guided Almont to a 16-14 overall record and a second-place finish at their Division 3 district, was also considered for the honor.