The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area baseball team
First- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2024 All-Area baseball team.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Mason Pike, Puyallup, jr. — The hard-throwing right-hander was electric during his junior season, in which he was named the 4A SPSL MVP. In 66 2/3 innings pitched, compiled a 10-0 record with 95 strikeouts, 20 walks and a 0.95 earned run average. In games against teams in Washington, Pike surrendered just three total runs and two earned runs. At the plate, hit .410 with five doubles, a triple, two home runs and 18 RBI. Pike saved the best for last, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning of Puyallup’s state semifinal game against Bothell to send the Vikings to the 4A title game in Pasco. Pike, considered the No. 2 prospect in the state in the 2025 class by Baseball Northwest and a national recruit, is an Oregon State commit.
COACH OF THE YEAR
Eric Fiedler, Enumclaw — 2A SPSL Coach of the Year directed Enumclaw to the 2A championship game after tearing through the 2A SPSL and winning the 2A District 2/3 title. 19-year Hornets skipper stood at the helm of a 24-game win streak and runner-up state finish, which included a win over two-time defending state champion Tumwater along the way.
PITCHERS
Micah Bujacich, Steilacoom, sr. — Perhaps the most dominant pitcher in the 2A classification in Washington this spring, the 2A SPSL co-MVP tallied 122 strikeouts to just 13 walks in 66 1/3 innings pitched. Posted a 7-3 record and 0.42 earned run average. Was just as scary at the plate, posting a .520 batting average with six doubles, three triples, three home runs and driving in 30 runs. UW commit.
Liam Karlson, Tumwater, sr. — The 2A EvCo MVP pitched gem after gem this spring, compiling a 9-0 record with 51 strikeouts, nine walks and a 0.79 earned run average in 53 innings pitched. Centralia College commit.
Cooper Markham, Enumclaw, jr. — The 2A SPSL co-MVP kept hitters off balance all season, posting a 5-2 record with 72 strikeouts, 25 walks and a 1.80 earned run average in 46.2 innings of work. At the plate, had a .417 average with four doubles and 23 RBI for the 2A state tournament runner-up Hornets.
Christopher Moore, Kentlake, soph. — Praised by his own staff and opposing coaches for his steady demeanor and work rate on the mound, the 3A NPSL MVP was nasty this spring, posting a 4-2 record with a 0.73 earned run average, 87 strikeouts and 15 walks in 47 2/3 innings pitched. Led the Falcons to a 3A state tournament appearance.
Trace Pruitt, Olympia, jr. — The 4A SPSL pitcher of the year led the Bears to the 4A District 3/4 title and a state tournament appearance, compiling an 8-2 record with a 1.15 earned run average and 66 strikeouts in 60 innings pitched. UW commit.
Talan Roberston, Rogers, soph. — Quickly ascended into one of the league’s top arms this season in his sophomore campaign. First-team 4A SPSL selection posted a 5-1 record in 45 1/3 innings pitched with 52 strikeouts, 17 walks and a 1.39 earned run average, collecting key wins over Olympia, Skyview and Kentridge.
CATCHER
Kai Halstead, Puyallup, sr. — Vikings catcher was steady presence commanding the Vikings’ talented rotation. At the plate, hit .286 with six doubles, a triple, a home run, 19 walks and 17 RBI. Oregon State commit.
INFIELDERS
Garrett Chavis, Enumclaw, sr. — What couldn’t Chavis do? Enumclaw’s all-league first baseman slashed .463/.536/.598 in 26 games and was one of the 2A SPSL’s top arms on the mound, going 4-0 with a 1.63 ERA (34.1 IP) with 49 strikeouts. Slugger tallied nine doubles and 30 RBI.
Martyn Hernandez, Rogers, jr. — Two-time TNT All-Area selection and trusted shortstop powered the Rams to another strong campaign in the SPSL. Hernandez hit .350 this spring and scored 22 runs with six doubles and seven RBI.
Logan Judish, Stadium, sr. — First baseman ranked fourth in Washington with 31 RBI, powering Stadium to an undefeated 3A PCL title (13-0). Judish slashed .386/.505/.429 with four doubles and 19 walks.
Carter Lystra, Silas, soph. — 3A PCL MVP and second-year southpaw stuffed every box score, going 4-1 with a 2.12 ERA (36.1 IP) and 45 strikeouts. Slashed .329/.457/.466 for the Rams with two doubles, four triples, and 11 RBI.
Eddie Marson, Tumwater, sr. — Complete hitter and silky-smooth shortstop slashed .451/.530/.585 for the T-Birds in his senior campaign, helping Tumwater to the 2A quarterfinals. Lassen Community College (Susanville, CA) commit “wreaks havoc for the pitcher,” says head coach and former MLB infielder Lyle Overbay. Piled 32 runs, 28 RBI, and 22 stolen bases with nine doubles.
OUTFIELDERS
Rylan Gullard, Kentridge, sr. — A contributor offensively, defensively and on the base paths, Gullard posted a .465 batting average with seven doubles, two triples, two home runs, 16 RBI and 22 stolen bases, leading the Chargers to a 4A state tournament appearance.
Coleman Hollabaugh, Kennedy Catholic, sr. — 4A NPSL MVP hit .319 with seven doubles, three home runs and 25 RBI for the Lancers this spring.
Tristan Ringrose, Puyallup, sr. — Left fielder was a key part of Puyallup’s state tournament runner-up squad, hitting .372 with three doubles, a triple, 25 walks and 20 RBI. Pierce College commit.
Tanner Solinsky, Emerald Ridge, sr. — 4A SPSL offensive player of the year was a rangy center fielder and a power-and-speed hitting machine for the Jaguars, racking up a .467 batting average with nine doubles, three home runs, 11 walks and 25 RBI. Also stole seven bases. Centralia College commit.
DESIGNATED HITTER
Jack Skelley, Olympia, sr. — Infielder posted monster numbers in an uber-competitive 4A SPSL, including a 1.140 OPS and four homers. Skelley (.366 AVG) scored 27 runs, piled 23 RBI, and stole 12 bases.
UTILITY
Kellan Knox, Tenino, sr. — Oregon commit appeared at every infield position this spring and was perhaps the 1A Evergreen’s top arm, touching 90 mph with a 4-1 record, 2.60 ERA, and 67 strikeouts. Tenino’s three-hitter slashed .315/.500/.521 with six doubles, one home run, and 19 stolen bases that propelled the Beavers to the 1A state semifinals.
Orlando Young, Federal Way, jr. — Two-way junior standout was one of the NPSL’s top all-around players. UW commit flashed a 1.71 ERA (49 IP) with 86 strikeouts and 32 walks, and went 21-for-52 (.404) at the plate with 11 RBI.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers — John Browand, Peninsula, soph.; Coltyn Clark, Rogers, jr.; Karsten Hansen, Capital, sr.; Adam Jay, Tahoma, jr.; Alec Johnson, Enumclaw, sr.; Travis Kunkel, Olympia, soph.; Joshua Moore, Curtis, sr.; Riley Newman, Stadium, jr.; Aaden Rathbun, White River, sr.; Caden Shoul, Auburn Mountainview, jr.
Catchers — Hudson Brown, Emerald Ridge, jr.; Carter Christiansen, Fife, jr.
Infielders — Kort Baker, Thomas Jefferson, jr.; Jackson Copeland, Puyallup, sr.; Thaddeus Dela Cruz, Auburn Riverside, sr.; Ian Draper, Rogers, jr.; Dylan Hoots, Fife, soph.; Parker Mady, Curtis, jr.; Beckett Turnbow, Tahoma, soph.
Outfielders — Lincoln Berg, Olympia, jr.; Karson Holt, Enumclaw, sr.; Ethan Melius, Auburn Riverside, jr.; Jacob Nadeau, Timberline, jr.; Daniel Porras, Gig Harbor, jr.
Designated hitters — Chase Krueger, Sumner, sr.; Carson Cody, Emerald Ridge, jr.
Utility — Jacob Viera, Franklin Pierce, sr.; Derek Thompson, Tumwater, jr.
