As voted on by the Northwest Conference baseball coaches, the All-NWC 1st and 2nd Teams were released on Thursday evening. Anacortes went undefeated in the league schedule, and made it a clean sweep with senior catcher Anthony Notaro winning Most Valuable Player, senior Caden Cornett winning Pitcher of the Year and Pat Swapp winning Coach of the Year.
Whatcom County’s finest also made a nice appearance on both the first and second teams:
ALL-NORTHWEST CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
SHANE JAMISON – SEHOME – SENIOR – THIRD BASE
Despite missing numerous games early in the season due to a leg injury, Jamison made a huge impact, especially during the Mariners’ 10-game winning streak. Jamsion batted .380 with seven doubles, one triple and one home run. He also had 17 RBI’s and six stolen bases. Perhaps even more amazing, in his 61 plate appearances he struck out just once!
KYLE PAYNE – BELLINGHAM – JUNIOR – SECOND BASE
Whatcom County’s leading hitter, with a .571 batting average. The sparkplug for the Red Raiders, scoring 25 runs and stealing 13 bases. He also walked 18 times, and struck out just five times. He reached base an astronomical 69.1% of the time. Only underclassman to make the First Team from Whatcom County.
TREVOR ABITIA – LYNDEN – SENIOR – CENTER FIELD
A fantastic all-around player. His 29 RBI’s led Whatcom County. One of only six players in Whatcom County to hit a double, triple and home run this season. Awesome defender in center field. Batted .316 with eight doubles. Scored 19 runs, stole eight bases and walked eight times.
SHANE WHITTERN – LYNDEN CHRISTIAN – SENIOR – CENTER FIELD
A terror on the base paths, and in the batter’s box. His 31 runs scored, 29 hits and 20 stolen bases all led Whatcom County, while batting .453. Also knocked in 15 runs, and hit seven doubles and a triple. Walked 16 times and was hit by a pitch five times.
TREVIN HOPE – LYNDEN – SENIOR – PITCHER
One of the most dominant pitchers in recent Whatcom County history. A horrific arm injury against Anacortes abruptly ended his season. Still finished with a 4-0 record. gave up just 15 hits and four earned runs in 32 innings pitched, for a 0.88 ERA. Struck out 59 batters, while walking only three!
ALL-NORTHWEST CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
BAKER OTTER – MERIDIAN – SENIOR – CATCHER
One of my personal favorites to watch. Always a smile on his face, and what a great competitor. Struck out only twice in 86 plate appearances! Batted .338 with 15 RBI’s, 10 walks and four stolen bases. A clutch hitter that always seemed to hit the ball hard.
MARCOS VANDERVEEN – LYNDEN – SENIOR – SHORT STOP
A tremendous leadoff hitter for the Lions. Does everything well on the diamond. Always seemed to find a way to get on base. Batted .356 and walked 15 times. Totaled 26 hits, seven of which were doubles. Also knocked in 14 batters, impressive for a leadoff hitter. Scored a team-high 20 runs.
NICK KNUTSON – BELLINGHAM – SENIOR – SHORT STOP
Tremendous leader, competitor and overall athlete. Batted .450 on the season, and reached base more than half the time (51.5%). Strong, accurate arm at short stop. Knocked in a team-high 18 runs. Had 27 hits, seven were doubles. Stole four bases and walked eight times.
MIKAEL ELLIOTT – BLAINE – SENIOR – SHORT STOP/DESIGNATED HITTER
Transfer student from R.A. Long. Fit immediately into the middle of the lineup with Blaine. Didn’t walk or strikeout very often, always putting the ball in play. Batted .358 with seven doubles and two triples. Also tied for the team-lead with 18 RBI’s.
CRUZ RODRIGUEZ – BLAINE – SENIOR – FIRST BASE
Big and strong. The unquestioned leader of the Borderites baseball team. Battled through injuries much of the season. Batted .439 with 13 walks. Also had eight doubles and scored 16 runs. His OPS (On base plus slugging) of 1.147 was third in the entire county.
PAYTON ROBERTSON – LYNDEN CHRISTIAN – JUNIOR – SHORT STOP
One of the few underclassmen to make All-Conference. A cannon for an arm at short stop. Also a tremendous pitcher, winning seven games and posting a 2.10 ERA while striking out 70 batters. Dangerous at the dish, hitting .367 with 24 RBI’s. Also had good speed, swiping 10 bases. Should be an absolute force next season.
TY VAN DYKEN – LYNDEN CHRISTIAN – SENIOR – CATCHER
Tough as nails. Excellent combination of power and patience. Left handed hitting catcher that belted a Whatcom County-high four triples, and also led the county with 24 walks. Batted .328 and scored 18 runs. Excellent speed as well, stealing 12 bases, and was considered by many as the best defensive catcher in the county.
SIMON BURKETT – MERIDIAN – SENIOR – CENTER FIELD
Tremendous athlete, and person. Made the move to center field because of Lukas Hemenway’s broken hand. Looked like a natural out there, running down almost everything. Runners couldn’t take an extra base because of his arm. Excelled on the mound, too. Scored 15 runs, knocked in 12 runs and stole seven bases.
TRENT MILLER – SQUALICUM – SOPHOMORE – CATCHER
The future of NWC baseball. The only sophomore to make the All-Conference Team. Led the Storm with a .383 batting average. Had five doubles and a home run. Solid behind the plate. Scored nine runs, walked nine times and knocked in seven runs.
EVAN KINGMA – SEHOME – SENIOR – PITCHER
A fast worker that can dominate a game on the mound. Tremendous velocity, and control. Struck out 65 batters and walked only 18 in 55 and 2/3 innings. Had a record of 6-1 and an ERA of 0.76. Battled through tough games, and threw six innings of a combined no-hitter against Lakewood.
*Non-Whatcom County players that were also named were:
1st Team:
Lincoln Gilden, Anacortes
Ty Saunders, Anacortes
Tyson Ross, Burlington-Edison
Austin Wright, Burlington-Edison
2nd Team:
Colton Schwetz, Sedro Woolley
