SUGAR CITY The All-State baseball teams announced this week had strong representation from East Idaho’s best 4A clubs.
Following a 22-4 record and a second consecutive state victory, Sugar-Salem emerged victorious, with senior Dawson McInelly named Player of the Year and Brady Gardner named Coach of the Year.
Marsh Valley, which placed third in the state tournament, received two first-team picks, while Sugar-Salem added three players to the first squad.
McInelly hit.558 with a.663 on-base percentage and a 1.325 slugging percentage earlier this month, earning him the title of Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year. With 14 home runs, he was also the state leader. He had an earned run average of 0.31 and ended 8-0 on the mound.
Jackson Gardner, who finished 8-1 with a 1.57 ERA and 72 strikeouts and hit.337 with 39 RBIs and three home runs, was another versatile player for the Diggers.
Senior Will Chappell, a BYU signee, hit.488 with eight home runs and 33 RBIs for the Diggers.
In a crucial state championship game, Ben Aldrich earned the victory with four scoreless innings on the mound and a home run. After missing the whole previous season due to an injury, he hit.395 with four home runs and 24 RBIs.
Tate Whitworh and Bo Larsen of Marsh Valley were a formidable combination in the lineup.
Whitworth finished with a.556 batting percentage, 55 hits, nine triples, and 56 runs scored.
Larsen hit.522 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases while playing third base and catcher.
4A
Dawson McInelly, Sugar-Salem, senior, SS/P, was named the year’s MVP.
COACH OF THE YEAR: Sugar-Salem’s Brady Gardner
Note: The state coaches choose the All-Idaho teams. The outcomes are published in the Idaho Statesman.
FIRST TEAM ALL-STATE
Fruitland, Titus Vidlak, so., SS/2B
Jackson Gardner, Senior P/2B, Sugar-Salem
Marsh Valley, Jr., Tate Whitworth, SS/P
Jahzyon Sylva, SS/P, Payette, Jr.
Fruitland, sr. Quinn Hood, 1B/DH
Bo Larsen, senior, 3B/C, Marsh Valley
Sugar-Salem, Sr., Will Chappell, CF
Homedale, Jr., Chance Martell, SS/C
Cole Valley Christian, Carson Kile, so., 3B/P
Ben Aldrich, senior, 3B, Sugar-Salem
Blake Wilson, UTIL/DH, Cole Valley Christian, Sr.
State-wide second team
Mr. Kace Malstrom, Sugar-Salem, RFTimberlake’s Eric Wylie, Jr. P/3BHomedale’s Lukas Hall, Jr., C/RFGardner Scott, Sr., Marsh Valley P/CFFruitland’s Nate Grosvenor, So., RF/CFruitland’s Owen Baker, Jr., P/3BSenior Hank Carter, Sugar-Salem, 1BLuke Nelson, Jr., TetonMa, SS/PKimberly Bruning, SS, Craye Bruning, Jr.South Fremont’s Bryce Johnson, Sr., CF/1BCole Valley’s Lucas Guray, So., CF/P Christian
